GM's first SUV, the Chevy (and GMC) Suburban dates back to 1936. Actually it was just a "utility" vehicle, as there was no "Sport" in any sort of truck back in those days. Then as now their utility vehicles were always based off their pickup chassis. That's seven decades of following basically the same formula—and it may be about to end.

Bloomberg.com is reporting that the next-generation full-size GM SUVs may switch over to unit-body construction, thus ending this long relationship with the full-size pickup.

Why, you ask? Just look at the current fuel prices; that and tougher upcoming mileage and emission requirements. It's that simple.

"It's a sea change in the type of vehicle that Americans are going to be driving,'' said Rebecca Lindland, of Global Insight. "This is a big thing. For a long time, GM has been able to rely mostly on profits from trucks. That's changing.''

If, and when this happens, think 2012 time frame.

Full story here.

General Motors President Fritz Henderson (left) and Mascoma Corp. Chairman and CEO Bruce Jamerson announce a strategic relationship to develop cellulosic ethanol using Mascoma’s single-step process of converting non-grain materials into low-carbon fuel. GM will have an equity investment in Mascoma.

“Demonstrating the viability of sustainable non-grain based ethanol is
critical to developing the infrastructure to support the flex-fuel
vehicle market,” said GM President Fritz Henderson.

This announcement is not really too surprising given all the time and effort GM is putting into E85-friendly vehicles.

Full story here.

Here's AutoObserver's take: Biofuels Stakes Rise for GM and the Nation

...Operations Beat Expectations

Hmmm... I guess that (sort of) puts a positive spin on it. Here's the quick and dirty preliminary results:

• First quarter revenue of $42.7 billion

• Positive adjusted automotive earnings before tax, with improvement of over $160 million

• Positive reported automotive earnings before tax, down by $118 million

• Adjusted net loss of $350 million, reported net loss of $3.3 billion

• Continued strong results in emerging markets

• Liquidity position of $23.9 billion

For the in-depth (and dirty) preliminary results, go here.

While Honda and others are reaping the benefits from selling loads of smaller cars, the makers of big trucks an SUVs are taking it it on the chin. In it's latest move GM will cutting one shift in all four of their factories that make full-size pickups and SUVs. The cuts will occur at Pontiac, Flint, MI;  Janesville, Wis; and Oshawa, Ontario.

States GM North America President Troy Clarke: “With rising fuel prices, a softening economy and a downward trend on current and future market demand for full-sized trucks, a significant adjustment was needed to align our production with market realities.”

Full story here and here.

Dodge Ram hurting too
AutoObserver points out that Chrysler LLC is spending more than anyone on truck incentives in order to move Ram trucks off dealer lots.

Dodge Ram: Spending Most for Incentives

Same with Toyota
High inventories of Tundras and Sequoias are hurting the "Big T."

Image: Patricia Beck / Detroit Free Press

Checking in on Peter De Lorenzo over at AutoExtremist.com, and as usual, he has some interesting if not thought-provoking ideas. This time it's a "What if" scenario for a future GM, and this of course, is in a perfect world. By that I mean if franchise laws, etc., could be resolved to make this work.

Here's the short story version: The only divisions that would exist here would be Chevrolet, Cadillac and Hummer. Buick would only be sold outside the USA. GMC, Pontiac, Saturn would disappear altogether. Saab? It would be sold off or disappear. As usual, De Lorenzo makes a strong case supporting his ideas.

So, do you agree with him or not?

For the details check it out here.

Last week Straightline did a report on the possible increased ownership of Subaru by Toyota (Toyota to nearly double stake in Subaru). Now AutoObserver digs a bit deeper and examines as to how this can be a win-win situation for both companies. Also mentioned here are some joint-development projects that are under consideration, one of which is a small rear-drive sport coupe using the 2.0 Subaru boxer engine, but badged as a Toyota—and maybe as a Subaru too.

It's going to be really interesting to see how this Toyota "connection" with Subaru is going to evolve, unlike the previous failed alliance Subaru had with GM.

Toyota, Subaru Are Becoming Increasingly Entwined

In a related story, Subaru apparently is ending their long-standing relationship will LL Bean—and rather abruptly at that. The alliance will end by July 1, 2008. Subaru vehicles that are currently badged as "LL Bean" models will be labeled as "Limited" models beginning by the end of April.

In yet another related story, Subaru has just issued a "STOP SALE" order on all new Subarus with the turbo engine. Apparently there have been some knocking noises that have lead to engine problems. So to be safe, Subaru has issued this notice until the problem has been found and resolved. Not good...

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.

There's an article over on wired.com (here) about as to whether a 100 mpg car is possible—or for that matter, even practical. GM's Bob Kruse, who is their executive director of global engineering of hybrids, electric vehicles and batteries; had a few interesting things to say on this subject:

"We will be using internal combustion engines for awhile. The 100-mpg car can be thought of as the Volt, (and) it will achieve this operating on a combination of electric and ICE propulsion."

"We are not competing in the X Prize. I have all of my resources focusing on mainstream high-volume programs like the Chevrolet Volt."

"Like much new technology, a Catch 22 develops. Will we invest in hydrogen delivery for vehicles that do not exist, or will we create vehicles that you cannot buy hydrogen for? This is where government leadership can help."

Here's a related story on the Chevy Volt, and its production status from Green Car Advisor: Volt On Track for Late 2010 and 40 Miles on Batteries

GM's OnStar is offering two significant upgrades to current OnStar users.

The first new service is OnStar Destination Download, in which the driver presses the OnStar blue button to connect with an advisor, who then downloads the destination info to the car's navigation system. This eliminates the hassle of inputting the info yourself.

The second new service, OnStar eNav, lets subscribers plan their destinations on MapQuest and then send those destinations to their OnStar turn-by-turn navigation system.

Later in the year road condition alerts will also be added. Sounds good to me, as these are all helpful features which should benefit drivers.

Here's Inside Line's take: GM's OnStar Upgrades Navigational Services

Just a quick tease here as to some of what GM is planning on showing at NewYork next week:

• Pontiac will debut 3 new production models

• Saab's 9-x BioHybrid will make its North American debut.

• Buick reportedly to have some surprises—one of which is that their news will also be available in Chinese on the GM media site. Now that may not mean much to those not in the auto news business, but it just goes to show just how important Buick has become to China, and vice-versa. But you already knew that, right?