GM to close 4 truck plants, may sell or close HUMMER

At the General Motors annual meeting in Delaware today, CEO Rick Wagoner will be publicly announcing the latest restructuring round for the beleaguered automaker. In response to plummeting sales of large trucks, GM will close down four more North American Assembly plants by 2010. The plants in Janesville, Wisconsin, Oshawa Ontario, Moraine, Ohio, and Toluca, Mexico are already running reduced production schedules and will cease operations entirely as products are discontinued or shifted to other plants. The Janesville plant builds medium trucks and SUVs while Moraine builds the old body on frame Trailblazer, GMC Envoy and Saab 9-7x SUVs. The other plants build full-size pickup trucks. The closures affect 10,000 employees at those plants. Those that aren't among the 19,000 who are taking buyouts will be offered transfers to other locations to fill spaces vacated by the departing workers. The closures are expected to save GM about $1 billion a year.

Wagoner will also be announcing that GM has begun a strategic review of the HUMMER brand. We contacted GM spokesperson Joanne Krell this morning who told us that the review has just begun and there is no time frame for a decision. "The HUMMER brand is a great brand and we're probably not maximizing it to its fullest. Perhaps somebody else would have that opportunity." All options are being considered including "ramping up the portfolio," shutting the brand down or "selling it in whole or in part." At this point, GM has not had any discussions with other manufacturers about the possibility of a sale, which won't happen until the review is completed.

On the positive side of things, the board of directors has approved production of a new small Delta platform car (the eventual Cobalt replacement) at the Lordstown, OH assembly plant next year. The Chevrolet Volt has also been approved for production in 2010 at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant

BMW to show X1 and MINI CUV in Paris

With last week's news that BMW will begin producing the new X1 at its Leipzig facility, it was just a matter of time before the Bavarian boys gave us an indication as to when its compact CUV would be unveiled. As suspected, the wraps will be pulled off an X1 concept at the Paris Motor Show this September, but as is often the case with BMW, the "concept" is almost exactly what we'll see when it goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2009. The new model will be built off the 1-series platform (a shortened 3-series) and according to an unnamed source quoted by Automotive News, "will use the two highest spec gasoline and the two highest spec diesel engines from the 1-series."

The source also confirmed earlier reports that the MINI SUV/CUV will debut in Paris with power provided by the Cooper S' turbocharged 1.4-liter or the Cooper D's oilburner. Sales of the MINI 'ute will begin in the second quarter of 2010

8600 orders for the 2009 MKS

The all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS full-size luxury sedan, that made its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, debuts today, providing customers understated style, first-of-a-kind convenience features, advanced safety and one of the best values in the luxury market.

Although the luxury sedan will not arrive in dealerships until this summer, more than 8,600 orders have been placed and more than 60% of early orders features the high-level "Ultimate Package".

The MKS is offered in two versions: AWD and FWD. The FWD version is priced at $37,665, while the AWD at $39.555

Infiniti G37 sedan coming in 2009

A forum member at Motive has (supposedly) obtained Infiniti's 2009 ordering guide, and with it comes (supposed) word that the 2009 G-series sedan will be upgraded with the 3.7-liter VQ37VHR V6. Exact output has yet to be confirmed, but the document rates the 3.7-liter V6 at 320+ hp, with power sent to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The model and package list (posted after the jump) goes on to say that the 2009 Infiniti G37 will include four-piston front brakes equipped with 14-inch rotors, five-spoke 18-inch wheels, re-designed side view mirrors and the Scratch Shield paint found on the new FX line of CUVs. Two new exterior colors will also be made available: Moonlight White and Sahara Sandstone.

We've got a call in to Infiniti's PR people to confirm the information. Watch this space for an update.

UPDATE: Infiniti got back to us, saying that more information about the 2009 Infiniti Gs will be available in August, but it wouldn't confirm the G37 sedan. As we already know, the retractable hardtop G37 coupe is on the way and sales are expected to begin in February next year. That means we should see the G37 convertible at an auto show later this year -- our money is on LA.

[Source: Motive]

Models and Option Packages Contents

2009 G37 Sedan
■ Includes all standard equipment
G37 Journey
■ Includes all G37 standard equipment
■ Auto-on/off headlights
■ 8-way power passenger's seat
■ Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)
■ Rear air conditioning vents
■ In-dash, 6-disc CD autochanger with MP3
playback capability
G37x AWD
■ Includes all G37 Journey standard equipment
■ Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
■ Heated front seats
■ Heated outside mirrors
G37 Sport 6MT
■ Unique sport-tuned suspension
■ Close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter
■ Quicker steering gear ratio for greater response to driver input
■ Viscous Limited-Slip rear Differential (VLSD)
■ Hand-pull parking brake (replaces foot-operated parking brake)
■ Split 5-spoke 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/50R18 (front)
and 245/45R18 (rear) summer performance tires
■ 4-piston front and 2-piston rear calipers, with 14-inch front and
13.8-inch rear disc brakes
■ Unique front fascia and side sills
■ Front sport seats with manual thigh extension and driver's power
torso and thigh support adjustment
■ Unique sport stitching on steering wheel and front seats
■ Aluminum pedals
Sport Package
■ Includes all G37 Sport 6MT standard equipment, excluding
manual transmission
■ Solid-magnesium paddle shifters mounted on steering column
■ Foot-operated parking brake
Available on G37 Journey.
Sport Package AWD
■ Solid-magnesium paddle shifters mounted on steering column
■ Split 5-spoke 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/50R18
all-season tires
■ Unique front fascia and side sills
■ Front sport seats with manual thigh extension and driver's power
torso and thigh support adjustment
■ Unique sport stitching on steering wheel and front seats
■ Aluminum pedals
Available on G37x AWD.
Premium Package
■ Power sliding tinted glass moonroof with one-touch open/close,
tilt feature and sliding sunshade
■ Infiniti Studio on Wheels® by Bose® Premium Audio system with
24-bit Burr-Brown DAC, 6-disc CD autochanger with MP3 playback
capability, Radio Data System (RDS), and eleven speakers, including
3-way component front door speakers with 10-inch subwoofers and a
parcel shelf-mounted subwoofer
■ Driver's Audio Stage
■ Interface System for iPod®
■ Heated front seats and outside mirrors (standard on G37x AWD)
■ 2-way power lumbar support for driver's seat
■ Memory system for driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors
■ Driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirror position
synchronization
■ One-touch auto-up/down rear windows with safety auto-reverse feature Premium Pack age (continued)
■ Power-tilt and telescopic steering wheel
■ Automatic anti-glare rearview mirror with HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver and compass
■ Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System
■ Infiniti Voice Recognition for audio, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone
System and available navigation
Available on G37 Journey, G37x AWD and G37 Sport 6MT.
Navigation Package
■ Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, Lane Guidance
and 3-D building graphics
■ XM NavTraffic® providing Real-Time Traffic information1
■ 9.3GB Music Box hard drive with CompactFlash® slot (replaces 6-disc
CD autochanger)
■ Single in-dash CD player
■ Infiniti Voice Recognition for climate control, audio and
navigation systems
■ RearView Monitor2
Available on G37 Journey, G37x AWD and G37 Sport 6MT.
Requires Premium Package. Deletes compass in rearview mirror.
Technology Package
■ Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking3
■ Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS)
■ Pre-Crash Seat Belts
Available on G37 Journey, G37x AWD and G37 Sport 6MT.
Requires Navigation Package.
Performance Tire and Wheel Package
■ Split 7-spoke 18 x 7.5-inch (front), 18 x 8.5-inch (rear) lightweight
cast aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/50R18 (front and rear)
W-rated summer performance tires
Only available on G37 Journey. Requires Premium Package.
4-Wheel Active Steer Package
■ Front Active Steer and Rear Active Steer systems
Available on G37 Journey with Sport and Navigation Packages and
rear spoiler; available on G37 Sport 6MT with Navigation Package
and rear spoiler.
Moonroof
■ Power sliding tinted glass moonroof with one-touch open/close, tilt
feature and sliding sunshade
Available on G37 Journey and G37x AWD. Moonroof included
in Premium Package.
Wood Trim
■ African rosewood interior trim on center console, instrument
panel and doors
Available on G37 Journey and G37x AWD. Requires Premium
Package. Not available with Stone interior, rear spoiler or 4-Wheel
Active Steer Package.
Rear Spoiler
Available on G37 Journey and G37 Sport 6MT with 4-Wheel
Active Steer Package and on G37x AWD with Sport and
Navigation Packages.

2010 Mustang will be smaller

Ford announced that a new restyled and re-engineered Mustang goes on sale early next year. And because everyone’s main concern is to make cars more efficient and with lower CO2 emissions, the company decided to make the car look smaller.

"We have a car which I think is more suitable for the times than the Challenger and the Camaro," said Peter Horbury, Ford Motor’s North American design director. "Especially the Challenger — it is a huge car when you see it on the road."

The Challenger is 10.1 inches longer and 1.8 inches wider than the 2008 Mustang. The dimensions of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro have not been released, but the Camaro concept is 1.4 inches shorter and 5.7 inches wider than the 2008 Mustang.

"By cleverness in design, we’ve been able to make it look like the wheels are further out, further forward and further rearward," Horbury said during an interview at a Ford event last month in New York.

"The center line is the longest part" of the next Mustang, he said, "and the widest part of the car is the middle. From there on, you can tuck it in and bring the apparent size down.

VIDEO: Nissan GT-R 7:29 'Ring run

Video of Nissan's newly-mined 7:29 Nürburgring lap time has now surfaced on YouTube. The video comes courtesy of a fan recording a television screen at what looks to be a Nissan event display. The background noise is rather overbearing, but if you crank up the volume it is possible to catch a hint of the squealing tires and screaming engine. Those are the same street tires available off the showroom floor, along with supposedly stock engine specifications. Regardless of the equipment though, the track is completely dry this time around and Nissan test driver Tochio Suzuki doesn't hold anything back

Mustang Blue: The new smell of 'Stang

A year after the introduction of the original scent, Aramis and Designer Fragrances have unveiled a new Mustang cologne variant. Mustang Blue, according to the manufacturer, is "the definition of confident, sexy and powerful for the Mustang man." A delicate blend of axle grease, brake fluid, and motor oil --- oh wait, sorry -- geranium, sage, artemisia, and a host of other olfactory stimulants combine to "celebrate the Mustang Man on a new journey."

Sam and I have Mustangs, and I'm fairly confident that neither of us knows exactly what the Mustang cologne people are talking about. Sam's is actually finished in Vista Blue, though, so maybe this is targeted more towards him. My personal favorite Mustang scent is Smoked Pirelli, but I suppose that has less broad consumer appeal than whiffs of sandalwood, hay and patchouli. Now that Mustang Cologne has spawned its first official variant, Shelby, Bullitt, and California Special edition scents can't be far off