The rumored Toyota and Subaru "new deal" has been announced, with Toyota increasing their ownership of FHI from 8.7 percent to 16.5 percent. Also part of the package is the announcement that Daihatsu will be involved.

The Daihatsu tie-in is somewhat of a surprise, but it really shouldn't be. They've been involved with Toyota for quite some time, and have recently supplied Subaru with a new 1.3L Justy for the European market.

Here's FHI's press release.

Here's AutoObserver's take: Toyota, Daihatsu and Subaru Join Forces on Product Development, Vehicle Sharing

Nissan is going to offer three trucks aimed at the commercial customer starting in 2010. As to what these trucks will be, that's not clear yet. However, judging by the article here, I suspect at least one of these trucks could well be a van, that would compete with the full-size Ford and GM vans.

Other possible vehicles could be a small bus or even a small dump truck. The obvious question is will one of these be a heavy duty version of the Titan?

"Any vehicle we sell here will be a conquest," said Andy Palmer, corporate vice president of Nissan's light commercial vehicle business.

Full story here, here and here.

Here's Inside Line's take: Nissan Gives Green Light to Light Commercial Truck Business in U.S.

File this one away in the “don’t believe everything you read on the Internet" bin. Way back in August of 2006, a member of m3post.com let loose with what he claimed was official pricing on the 2008 BMW M3. He had everything from base price to the options list, and it was all from a friend who had “good reliable connections at BMWNA and a BMW Dealer.”

We were skeptical. For a car that wasn’t scheduled to go on sale for at least another year, it seemed odd that BMW had already set pricing. Then we had our own data analyst look into the “official” information and it looked even more suspicious.

Fast forward to the present. We now have official pricing from BMW, so we thought it might be interesting to see just how credible that “reliable connection” was back in 2006. Turns out, not very reliable at all.

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It looks like it won’t be long before the 2010 Cadillac CTC hits the road. These shots taken recently in Michigan reveal some very production looking bodywork. From the detailed grille to the quarterpanel vents, this looks more like an early prototype than a test mule. As we reported months ago, the 2010 Cadillac CTS coupe will go into production in the spring of 2009. It will share mechanical components with the CTS sedan, so expect a range of V6 engines and several different suspension setups. There’s no word yet on whether a V-Series version is in the works.

Anxiously awaiting the new Mini Clubman? Looks like there'll be plenty. These three were being prepped at Long Beach BMW/Mini just as we were dropping off our Long Term BMW M3 for service.

Brian Moody, Road Test Editor

Images of a lightly disguised 2009 Infiniti FX are up on the Net. The vehicle is to be introduced at the Geneva auto show next month.

The vehicle is slightly longer than the current model, and like the Nisaan Murano, is clearly is an evolutionary step in terms of design. It's believed that the base model will get the larger 3.7L V6, and will be called the FX37. The V8 version may also get a larger engine, probably 5.0L or maybe even a 5.5L unit.

Full story here.

Here's Inside Line's take: Spy Photos: 2009 Infiniti FX and 2008 Geneva Auto Show Preview: Infiniti Confirms Debut of Second-Generation FX

AutoObserver has an interesting article on the state-of-the-small-truck-market. As we all know, it's not good—but there are signs of hope, such as:

• Fuel prices are at all-time highs, and will likely get higher, thus making small trucks once again appealing.

• As full-size (1/2-ton) trucks keep getting bigger, the interest in small trucks gets stronger.

• People are beginning to realize that small trucks, as they have historically been presented, are not the answer.

I have stated many times that there is a market for a real "small work truck," that's 4x8-friendly, and that has a good payload. Part of the problem is that traditional (domestic!) truckmakers have always regarded small trucks more as an afterthought—because the real money to be made is in full-size trucks. Why would Ford, for example, offer—here in the USA—a small truck that would eat into F-Series sales? The answer is simple. They won't.

So, as has always been the case, we mostly likely will see this happen from some vehicle maker that does not offer a domestic-like full-size truck. I expect it most likely to happen from Honda, as they they have the resources to do, and I suspect the interest too. Plus, Honda has always followed their own path, and are not likely to just make "another truck" without having some very unique and smart features.

Now before you all start laughing here, and begin bad-mouthing Honda and their Ridgeline, remember the Ridgeline was never intended to be a full-fledge F-150-fighter. For it's intended market, which are all the Harry Homeowners out there who want a dual-purpose family and work vehicle, it's a very good product.

I see the Ridgeline as just Phase 1 of what Honda has in store. I expect the Gen-2 Ridgeline, which we should see in a few years, will address most of the complaints of the current model. But getting beyond the Ridgeline, if Honda should decide to address the needs of the contractor—meaning something with an 8' bed, I would expect something pretty unique and special; and certainly not business as usual.

I mention Honda here, only because they are the obvious choice to do so; but it could be any number of other vehicle makers that don't offer a traditional full-size truck. Suzuki? Subaru? Mazda? Hyundai? Kia? VW? Someone else?

What about Nissan or Toyota? Even though they offer domestic-like trucks, they're not fully established (or accepted) in that market? The Toyota A-BAT is interesting, and shows that they too are open to new ideas, and to new markets.

Whoever does it, think outside the box and forget what's been done before—that's very important! Make it small. Give it a standard small powerful diesel engine, or a hybrid. Make it 4x8-friendly. Give it a 2K payload—and then sit back and reap the rewards!

Small Trucks: Efforts to Resuscitate a Nearly-Dead Segment

Now here is some very original thinking: A dump truck that can unload from all directions! How cool is that! Better put—what a great idea, in that it solves a number of maneuvering problems. All you have to do is pull in head first, flip over the cab (if you need to), and unload from the front. Or the side(s). Or the back. Absolutely wild—and a classic "why hasn't anyone thought of this before?"

And check out the independent suspension on this thing!

Full story here and here.

Wedged between a pair of overwraught defenses of all things ethanol by Rick Wagoner was the introduction the Hummer HX Concept. "Further expansion of the Hummer brand will be smaller and more fuel effiicent," remarked GM marketing chief Mark LaNeve.

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Another new image of the upcoming new 2009 Chevy Camaro is up on GM FastLane. Hopefully we'll soon see some larger images, as this and the previous image (Camaro to go naked) are pretty small, and not of the greatest quality. Still, better than nothing...

Full story here.

UPDATE: Hi-res images can be found here.