General Motors has announced the recall of 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac models sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The recall was prompted by complaints of power steering motor failure, and effects the following vehicles:

2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5
2005 to 2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada)
2005 to 2006 Pontiac G4 (Mexico)

A power steering motor failure would not result in a loss of steering, but it would increase steering effort at low speeds. A failure is indicated by a warning light and chime.

GM is targeting older models first, as the failure usually occurs after 20k to 30k miles of driving. As you’d imagine, it will take GM some time to build up parts inventory before they can begin accommodating all customers.

Above is an actual press package photo for the release of the 1982 Pontiac Firebird S/E. Nice panel fit, especially on a car used for publicity photos.

Automakers in the U.S. and abroad have really ramped up quality over the past 20 years. It’s been a a long time since I’ve witnessed a new car burn to the ground because someone forgot to put a hose clamp on a fuel line (saw it twice in person, with 1980s Fords).

Source: Hemmings Auto Blogs

The Firebird, like its mythical namesake, simply refuses to die. Here’s another rising from the ashes (although they’re not Pontiac’s ashes, which have long since grown cold). This Trans Am prototype, in festive Mardi Gras themed camouflage, was snapped in suburban Detroit, leading to speculation that it’s ASC’s entry into the pseudo -Pontiac Firebird TransAm market.

Shopping for an end of world vehicle, but don’t want a big honkin’ V8 that greedily suck down the last of the go-juice you can scrounge? Lusting for a Range Rover Defender, but afraid desperate survivors will steal your ride? Want to drive the the apocalypse with Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” playing loud enough to make your eardrums bleed? Search no more, because this may be the apocalypse-mobile you’ve been looking for.

Loyal, lovable G6 seeks good home...

General Motors has announced 3.9% financing for up to 60 months on GM Certified pre-owned Pontiac G6 models. Since there are plenty of the midsize coupes and sedans in new inventory, moving used stock has proven to be a challenge, even with GM’s 12 month, 12,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

The G6, a staple of rental car fleets across the US and Canada, has not proven to be popular with potential collectors buying a piece of Pontiac’s legacy. Now if they had any unwanted 2009 G8 GXPs in CPO inventory, I might be interested…

Source: Autoevolution

As a bittersweet farewell to one of the most tumultuous years in automotive history, RideLust presents to you a re-cap of all the biggest industry events in 2009…and a few that slipped in under editorial bias.

Rick Wagoner, Bob Nardelli, and Alan Mulally spent weeks feigning humility and destitution in three piece Brooks Brothers suits in an attempt to wrangle a billion-dollar loan from an apparently benevolent Uncle Sam. Eventually, the government acquiesced and agreed to bail out both General Motors and Chrysler so as not to interrupt their steady production of poorly built, aesthetically unappealing vehicles.

Stunt double Ben Collins outed himself as Top Gear’s infamous masked driver, The Stig, potentially blowing the sweetest gig on planet Earth. Rather than kill him off, Top Gear attempted to counter the rumors by fingering (::snicker::) legendary racer Michael Schumacher as The Stig. Gearheads in America with an Internet connection that’s too slow to cope with downloading the weekly BBC broadcast still don’t give a rat’s ass.

There was some sort of F1 scandal involving Renault intentionally throwing the Singapore Gran Prix, but we were too immersed in our rally obsession to care. Just Google it or something.

As per their plan to cut costs and pretend to pay back taxpayers, GM made the logical decision to axe one of the only remaining brands that consumers still cared about, Pontiac. Shortly after the announcement, rumors began to circulate that the late John DeLorean’s company was interested in purchasing the rights to produce the Pontiac Solstice. The idea, much like the DMC-12, was short lived.

Drawing heavily from the blatantly phallic styling of the Ambiguously Gay Duo’s car, Porsche released it’s first 4-door sedan, the Panamera.

When it rains, it pours.

Joining Toyota, Nissan, and Ford in the faulty frenzy, General Motors has also announced its own fairly sizable recall. Despite the seeming irrelevance in the face of the brand’s future demise, the vehicles affected include over 10,000 Pontiac Vibes and braking components that have a tendency to freeze in “very low ambient temperatures.” Specifically, GM’s letter states that condensation from crankcase ventilation has the potential freeze up the brake vacuum’s intake manifold suction port, significantly reducing the braking system’s ability to function properly.

In an uncharacteristic admission of weakness General Motors has announced that in light of the spectacular failure of the majority of its brands, it must now rely on the staying power of Chevrolet to carry it through its “reinvention.” Well, we’re paraphrasing.

What has actually been confirmed is that Chevy is GM’s undisputed top performer and with The General’s once formidable line-up now trimmed to just four key brands, it’s on Chevy to shoulder the brunt of the load. 70% of the load, to be exact, at least according to new Chevy VP Brent Dewar. In an address made on Friday, Dewar explained that currently Chevy products account for a little less than 60% of GM’s North American sales and a little over 50% of global sales. When Saturn, Pontiac, Saab, and Hummer are official wiped from GM’s slate, the marginal percentages they contributed to GM’s bottom line will be transferred to Chevy.

In perhaps one of the strangest pieces of news to come across our desks this week, DeLorean Motor Company is purportedly seriously interested in rescuing the ill-fated Pontiac Solstice from the scrap heap. The announcement comes on the heels of news that Saturn – and with it the Solstice’s only remaining relative, the Saturn Skyy – would be killed off after GM’s distribution deal with Penske fell through. Discontent to watch what was inarguably one of the most enjoyable cars an American company had to offer slip into obscurity, DMC announced their bid to save the Solstice.

After what seemed like an endless circle of rumors and heresy it seems New United Motor Manufacturing Inc (NUMMI) has finally handed down the official verdict on its closures: it’s a go. According to reports, despite heavy protest from workers and industry lobbyists alike, the Toyota and General Motors joint manufacturing venture will be officially closing its doors in March 2010, simultaneously releasing 4,700 works from employment.
Although many familiar with the sharp downturn the beleaguered global auto industry are no longer shocked by plant closures, Toyota’s decision to abandon NUMMI was nonetheless an unpleasant surprise. Thanks to an impressive foresight and keen business instinct, Toyota has managed to keep all of its operating facilities open (albeit some in very limited capacity) throughout the financial catastrophe and NUMMI’s closure marks the first concession the company has made towards the global recession.