GM Delays 2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe

Production of the Cadillac CTS Coupe, which debuted as a well-received concept at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, has been postponed until next summer, according to GM spokeswoman Joanne Krell.

The CTS coupe was originally one of three vehicles scheduled to debut this summer, in a sort of Cadillac advent. The other two vehicles, which are still scheduled to go into production this year, are the 2010 Cadillac CTS Wagon and 2010 Cadillac SRX crossover.

"We made a few changes to the overall portfolio," Krell said. "Obviously we are in a challenging economic time, and one of the changes is to move the coupe back a year. Instead of coming out this summer, it will come out next summer."

The coupe was initially scheduled to make its production debut at the Los Angeles auto show last November, along with the redesigned 2010 Buick LaCrosse. Although the LaCrosse was delayed until the 2009 NAIAS, the CTS coupe failed to make an appearance in Detroit.

Krell said GM doesn't know if the CTS coupe will be a 2010 or 2011 model due to the delay.

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GM May Spin Off Saab

Automotive News reported yesterday that GM is preparing to turn Saab into its own entity, according to an unidentified GM source. The move may be an attempt to make Saab a more viable investment for potential buyers, as GM has been unable to attract any suitors for the flailing subsidiary since its strategic review began in December.

"Saab has been negotiating with GM and the Swedish government about becoming a more independent company, initially as part of GM," the mystery GM source said. Saab would take control of its own decision-making and finances, according to the source.

Pail Akerlund, head of Saab's union, said, "Under this [plan], the Saab board will be more like a normal board, and less dependent on what happens on GM's European strategy board. They will make their own decisions." GM would still be the owner, but Saab would have its own budget, and move its operations, research, development and design work back to Sweden from Russelsheim, Germany, said Akerlund.

According to GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, Saab - which was purchased by the American auto maker in 2000 - has "been on GM life support." The Swedish company sold just 21,368 vehicles in the U.S. last year. The future of Saab will be decided before February 17, when GM is scheduled to submit its business plan to the U.S. government.

Saab spokesman Eric Geers said Saab has had "positive and constructive discussions with GM and the Swedish government about the future structure of the business."

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GM Still Committed to Launching Light-Duty Duramax Diesel

Even in light of tumbling truck sales and the disastrous economy, GM remains committed to get its 4.5-liter light-duty Duramax diesel to market.

GM remains the last truck maker with plans to produce a light-duty diesel. Chrysler has said that its Cummins-sourced light diesel won’t be available until at least 2011, while both Ford and Toyota shelved their plans for a light-duty diesel indefinitely.

A GM powertrain spokeswoman told PickupTrucks.com that GM is still going to produce the 4.5-liter diesel V-8 for use in its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups. Even so, GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz is has his reservations on the timing. Lutz claims customers won’t opt for the diesel with gas prices down and diesel remaining higher than gasoline. He says that even with improved fuel economy, buyers won’t see a price advantage in buying the diesel.

The engine being fought over may be one of the most significant leaps in diesel engine design since Rudolf Diesel invented the engine. The engine exhaust exits into the V of the engine allowing the exhaust to spin the turbo more efficiently and quickly. This reduces exhaust back pressure and heat losses allowing the engine to run more efficiently. In addition to increasing fuel economy, this design also eliminates several expensive components, simplifying the engine and reducing the normal price premium seen on diesels when compared to gasoline counterparts.

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