General Motors has announced it will recall 1.3 million cars in North America over a potentially faulty power steering motor following a federal probe into the problem in January.

The recall would cover 2005- through 2010-model year Chevrolet Cobalts and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5s, along with similar models in Canada and Mexico, the top US automaker said in a statement late Monday.

Complaints had been filed about power steering failures that could make the vehicles difficult to control.

"After our in-depth investigation, we found that this is a condition that takes time to develop. It tends to occur in older models out of warranty," GM vice president of quality Jamie Hresko said in the statement.

"Recalling these vehicles is the right thing to do for our customers' peace of mind," he added.

The cars remain safe to drive, although vehicles with the power-steering problem may take more effort to steer at slow speeds.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a probe of 905,000 Chevrolet Cobalts earlier this year after receiving more than 1,100 consumer complaints, which included reports of 14 crashes and one injury.

The problem comes amid heightened safety concerns at GM's Japanese rival Toyota, whose series of defects have led to the global recall of more than eight million vehicles.

The world number one automaker has come under fire this year for accelerator and brake system defects, and has been accused of dragging its feet on making the safety flaws public.

Toyota executives were due to face a US Senate panel grilling on Tuesday after company president Akio Toyoda last week apologized in a US House hearing.

Of the two brands affected by the GM recall, the Detroit-based company is phasing out its iconic Pontiac brand by the end of this year, as announced in 2009 amid a dramatic restructuring.

GM's Hresko insisted the vehicles under recall were still safe to drive.

"While greater steering effort under 15 miles per hour (24 kilometers per hour) may be required, these vehicles are safe to drive because the customer can still steer the vehicle," he said.

"When the condition occurs, both a chime will sound and a 'Power Steering' message will be displayed" in the vehicle, he said.

General Motors notified 1,100 of its 6,000 dealerships Friday that it is terminating their contracts with the struggling automaker, the first step in an even deeper 40% cut in its retail network.

GM spokeswoman Susan Garontakos said that the dealers receiving notice Friday are being told that their contracts will not be renewed in October 2010. Many of them are expected to close shop this year.

The company has told the Obama administration that it plans to cut its network down to 3,600 dealers by next year.

Much of the rest of the cuts will come from GM's plans to sell or close four brands - Saturn, Hummer, Saab and Pontiac.

Those four brands have about 600 dealerships that do not include other GM brands. But most Pontiac and Hummer dealers will stay in the GM family because they have one of the four remaining GM brands as part of their operation.

Business failures and purchases of dealerships by larger dealers has already shaved GM's dealership ranks by about 300 dealership this year, Garontakos said.

GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson said Monday that GM would work with the dealerships being cut to ensure an orderly wind down.

"As I look at it, it is work that will take place through '09, and then we would wind down and handle the distribution of cars and make sure the customers are taken care of ... make sure that dealers are reimbursed for warranties and that sort of thing," Henderson said. "This is not a several week process."

While many of the dealerships identified for closure could exit the business this year, Garontakos said they can also stay active through September 2010.

The move comes a day after Chrysler LLC announced that it is dropping nearly 800 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers, or about a quarter of its network, as part of its bankruptcy restructuring.

GM (GM, Fortune 500) is not yet in bankruptcy court, although Henderson has said such a filing is "probable." The company has until the end of the month to win agreement from creditors, unions and dealerships on a turnaround plan. If it fails to do so, the Treasury Department, which has been bankrolling GM's ongoing losses, has said it will force the company to file for bankruptcy.

GM, Chrysler and Detroit rival Ford Motor (F, Fortune 500) have far larger U.S. dealer networks than their Asian rivals, a remnant to the days when the so-called Big Three dominated the market in a way they no longer do.

The number of employees working at the dealerships that are being notified is not yet known. The average dealership has about 52 employees, according to the National Automobile Dealers of America, meaning about 57,000 workers could lose their job as a result of Friday's action.

All told, the planned dealership cuts at Chrysler and GM will eventually cost 140,000 jobs, NADA estimates.

NADA and various dealership organizations at GM and Chrysler are fighting the cuts, lobbying Congress and hiring bankruptcy attorneys to argue their case. The dealers hope that strong state franchise laws may still protect them, despite the powers granted to the bankruptcy court and the demand for cuts by the Treasury Department.

"While NADA understands the realities of the current marketplace, we also know that dealers didn't cause the situation," the group said Thursday. "Furthermore, we believe that these draconian dealer cuts are not only misguided but counterproductive. Fewer dealers mean less revenue for the automakers. Dealers are the manufacturer's customer; they buy the cars and parts and even the signs in front of their dealerships."

Traditionally, eliminating brands and dealerships has been an expensive proposition for automakers. GM spent about $1 billion dropping Oldsmobile earlier this decade, mostly in payments to 2,800 dealers and the repurchase of their inventory of vehicles and parts.

But the cash-strapped GM is not offering payments or vehicle repurchases to dealerships in this current round of cuts, although it may make limited purchases of parts and equipment, Garontakos said.

GM has yet to identify which dealers were notified Friday. But its previously announced plans signal that most of the cuts will be in major metropolitan and suburban areas, where GM acknowledges that "dealership overcapacity is most prevalent."

The company's expectation is that the surviving dealerships will become larger and more profitable as a result of the thinning out, which in turn will allow them to spend more on advertising and facilities. But GM also acknowledges that its long-term decline in U.S. market share will continue as a result of the smaller network of dealers.

The company has about 2,700 dealers in rural areas, some with relatively low sales volumes. But even some of those small dealerships could be spared if they don't face significant geographic competition.

General Motors Corp.'s Pontiac G6 sedans are being investigated by U.S. safety regulators because of complaints of a loss of power steering, Bloomberg News reported today.



The inquiry covers 2005 and 2006 models with electronic power steering, with as many as 176,968 cars affected, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its Web site. The agency said it received 19 complaints, including two accidents and one injury.



The investigation is the Washington-based agency's first step in its safety review process. About 40 percent of NHTSA's preliminary investigations between 1995 and 2005 led to recalls, Bloomberg reported.



Alan Adler, a spokesman for Detroit-based GM, didn't immediately respond to a voice message seeking a comment.

CHICAGO – Confirming its commitment to style and performance, Pontiac introduced a show car version of an all-new, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan at the Chicago Auto Show. The 2008 Pontiac G8 will be available in dealerships early next year.



"With the balance of rear-wheel drive and the availability of V-8 power, the G8 represents another step in Pontiac 's commitment to its performance DNA," said John Larson, Pontiac general manager. "Added to the Solstice and the recently announced additions of the G6 and Torrent to the GXP series, the G8 demonstrates that Pontiac has never been more serious about the business of performance – and we expect this vehicle to be very competitive in the segment, even against cars that cost far more."



The G8 is the first North American application of GM's new global rear-wheel-drive architecture developed by Holden, GM's Australian subsidiary.



G8 GT show car details



The G8 show car unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show is representative of the production GT model, including use of the 362-horsepower (270 kW) 6.0L V-8 engine and optional six-speed manual transmission. The show car also features some unique items not found on the production model, including:



* Twenty-inch "shadow chrome" wheels and performance tires

* Ride height lowered approximately half-inch

* High-performance brake rotors with painted brake calipers

* Custom interior trim color, including a leather-wrapped dash

* Exclusive exterior paint color: Phantom Grey

* Concept of "modernized" Pontiac badge, to gauge public opinion.



Production model details



The 2008 Pontiac G8 lineup will offer two models: G8 and G8 GT. Each will come with a host of standard performance, convenience and safety features, including:



* Four-wheel independent suspension

* Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control

* Electronic stability control

* 18-inch aluminum wheels (19-inch wheels available with sport package)

* Seat-mounted thorax air bags and dual-stage frontal air bags for front passengers, with automatic passenger sensing system

* Roof rail side-impact air bags for both seating rows

* OnStar

* XM Satellite Radio

* Power-adjustable front seats

* Fog lamps

* Chrome exhaust tips

* Rear lip spoiler



A sport package will be available for both models and adds features such as specific wheels – including 19-inch aluminum wheels and performance tires on GT – a rear wing spoiler, leather shift knob, leather-wrapped steering wheel and alloy pedals.



Design



The G8 has a progressive styling package highlighted by strong Pontiac design cues, such as a dual-port grille, fog lamps, bold wheels and a confident, wheels-at-the-corners stance. The design accents the car's performance lineage, with fenders that flare over the wheels, seemingly hugging the wide tires and enhancing the sporting stance.



Distinctive elements include hood scoops and front fender vents, as well as projector-beam headlamps housed in crystal-clear lenses. At the rear, jewel-like taillamps also are mounted in housings and feature bright detail work surrounding the red lighting elements. G8 models have red taillamp lenses and twin chrome exhaust outlets, while G8 GT models feature clear taillamp lenses and quad chrome exhaust tips. All models have an antenna mounted at the rear of the roof.



Powertrain



The base G8 model receives a 3.6L DOHC V-6 with variable valve timing, rated at 261 horsepower (194 kW). It is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode.



The G8 GT is powered by a uniquely configured 6.0L small-block V-8, rated at 362 horsepower (270 kW) and 391 lb.-ft. of torque (530 Nm). A six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode is standard and features the fuel-saving Active Fuel Management system, which enhances fuel economy by alternating between eight- and four-cylinder power. An optional six-speed manual transmission will be available soon after launch.



A limited-slip rear differential is standard with GT models.



Suspension system



A 114.8-inch (2915 mm) wheelbase, wide front ( 62.7 inches / 1592 mm) and rear ( 63.3 inches / 1608 mm) tracks, and a fully adjustable, four-wheel independent suspension system combine to give the G8 a confident, sharp driving experience.



The four-wheel independent suspension system employs a MacPherson strut design in the front and a four-link coil-over-shock design in the rear. Tuning is specific between the base and GT models, but both models use a direct-acting front stabilizer bar, decoupled rear stabilizer bar and lateral ball joints on the rear suspension. This system delivers increased lateral stiffness for enhanced handling.



The front suspension features fully adjustable caster, camber and toe; the rear suspension has fully adjustable camber and toe, which enables more precise, tailored suspension tuning.



Brake system



A four-wheel disc brake system includes standard anti-lock and traction control features and is partnered with a standard electronic stability control system. Both the base and GT models feature vented front and rear disc rotors, with twin-piston alloy calipers in front; the rear brakes feature alloy calipers with single-piston actuation. The brakes are approximately one-inch larger on the higher-performance GT model.



Interior



Designed to meld form and function with world-class fit and finish, the G8's interior delivers both comfort and convenience, packaged in a level of sophistication not often found in its price range. A driver-oriented instrument cluster positions the gauges for easy, direct line of sight; an electronic driver information center is located between the large, round tachometer and speedometer.



Attention to detail includes jewel-like instruments, selective use of satin and chrome trim and rich-feeling, grained textures throughout. The instrument cluster glows with crisp, white light on the primary instruments and Pontiac 's signature red lighting illuminates the rest of the instrument panel cluster.



The seats offer firm support to hold occupants in place during aggressive cornering; all seats were designed to deliver excellent comfort during long drives. Cloth seating surfaces are standard, with heated leather seating available. G8 GT models will also offer an optional two-tone cloth or leather combination that pairs black with either red or blue inserts and color-matched instrument faces on certain exterior color combinations.



###



NEW GLOBAL REAR-DRIVE ARCHITECTURE IS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE ALL-NEW PONTIAC G8



CHICAGO – The 2008 Pontiac G8 performance sedan is built on GM's new, global rear-wheel-drive architecture. With the input of Pontiac and GM North America, the G8 was developed in Australia, under the direction of Holden's engineering department.



Taking advantage of GM's global centers of engineering expertise, a series of vehicle architectures are being developed that can be easily adapted to the unique vehicle requirements of various regions. For example, global truck architectures are being developed in North America while midsize vehicle architectures are created in Europe .



"The rear-wheel drive engineering team has put together a simply spectacular car that captures the essence of Pontiac," said John Larson, Pontiac general manager. "We believe that the Pontiac G8 will rival competitors costing far more."



The Holden-engineered global rear-wheel drive architecture was designed to deliver world-class levels of strength and refinement, along with crisp driving dynamics, while serving as the foundation for vehicles sold in a wide variety of climates and road conditions around the world – from the desert-like desolation of Australia 's Outback to the frost-heaved highways of North America 's cold regions.



"We set out to lift the bar on what could be achieved with quality and refinement," said Tony Hyde, Holden executive director of engineering. "We have gone over this car time and time again to reduce gaps and margins, ensuring that every fit is crisp and tight."



For North American customers, the result is a tautly-designed rear-wheel-drive performance sedan that is ideally suited for Pontiac customers.



"We spent many hours refining the chassis to create that unique blend of steering precision, vehicle balance and handling that we believe driving enthusiasts will love," said Doug Houlihan, G8 chief engineer.



Global, balanced architecture



The new global rear-wheel-drive architecture used for the G8 was designed to accommodate production for both left-hand drive and right-hand drive markets around the world. To ensure durability for the vast array of driving conditions and climates, the new architecture was designed with a robust, protected electrical system, superior climate control system and noise/vibration-isolating suspension systems.



Among the new architecture's design attributes is a layout that promotes a nearly 50/50 front-to-rear weight balance ratio, thanks to design features that include a steering rack mounted ahead of the front axle, engines mounted low and rearward in the front chassis cradle and a rear-mounted battery.



Stiff structure



GM's new rear-drive architecture has an exceptionally strong unitized chassis/body structure, including advanced-strength steel used in more than 80 percent of its construction. This strong foundation enables several factors than benefit the G8's driving experience, including smoother, more solid ride characteristics and more precise suspension tuning, as the stiffer structure allows engineers to tune the suspension without having to account for chassis flex.



The stiff structure also enhances safety, as it helps absorb crash energy through a multiple load path strategy that includes optimized front-end and rear-end deformation zones. (See safety section below.)



Chassis and suspension



A unique, four-wheel independent suspension system is integrated with the G8's structure, and is the result of eight years of development. It uses the strength of the body structure to enhance the driving experience through optimized steering, handling and driving control.



The G8 rides on a long, 114.8-inch (2,915 mm) wheelbase, with the wheels set wide on 62.7-inch (1,592 mm) front and 63.3-inch (1,608 mm) rear tracks. The front suspension features a multi-link, strut-type design that incorporates a direct-acting stabilizer bar, while the rear suspension uses a four-link independent design, with coil springs over shocks and a decoupled stabilizer bar.



The front suspension uses a hydraulically damped bushing on the forward end of the tension link for improved ride isolation. The lateral link feature a rubber spherical joint that enhances lateral stiffness. Camber, caster and toe are fully adjustable.



With the rear suspension, a high degree of lateral stiffness is achieved with the use of two lateral ball joints per side. A rubber-damped suspension frame further isolates the body structure from noise, vibration and road harshness.



Steering and braking



The steering rack is mounted forward of the front axle centerline – with dual lower links and individual ball joints at the outer ends – which enhances the balanced feel of the car while also contributing to a more direct steering feel. Steering rates are tuned specifically for the V-6-powered base and V-8-powered GT models.



Matching the vehicle's handling and steering agility is a carefully tailored brake system that uses four-wheel discs sized to match each model's performance. The higher-performance capability of the V-8-powered GT, for example, has larger brakes than the V-6 base model. The brakes are integrated with a standard electronic stability control system.



The basic brake design for all models includes twin-piston front alloy calipers and vented disc rotors, and single-piston, alloy rear calipers with vented disc rotors. ABS is standard.



Safety



Safety was one of the foremost goals in the design of the G8's architecture. It combines a sturdy, crash-absorbing body structure and state-of-the-art passenger protection technology. Examples of these elements include:



* Efficient, energy-absorbing front structure and a strong occupant safety cage

* Six standard air bags, including dual-stage frontal air bags, thorax air bags for front-seat passengers and roof rail-mounted head curtain air bags for both seating rows

* Multiple air bag sensors: two electronic front sensors and two side-impact sensors, all connected to a sensing diagnostic module

* Front safety belts with load limiters and dual pretensioners

* Ride-down steering column and breakaway pedal system

* Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.



An electronic stability control system is standard on all models, as is full-function traction control. These features bolster driver control during certain driving conditions, which can help avoid a crash.



Safety development included tests that represented occupants ranging in size from a six-month-old baby to a 95 th percentile adult male. Sixty-one physical vehicle safety tests were performed with the variety of test dummies, which helped optimize the structure's front and rear crush zones.



Validation



GM's global rear-wheel-drive architecture underwent some of the longest and most stringent testing and validation procedures undertaken by General Motors, which helped ensure its strength, safety and reliability in markets around the world. These procedures included:



* More than 2.1 million miles (3.4 million km) of equivalent road evaluation

* Approximately 5,000 hours of virtual safety tests

* Seventy-nine physical safety tests

* Approximately 41,000 hours of electrical system tests

* Approximately 11,000 subsystem validation tests and activities



Additional details



The G8's new rear-drive architecture also incorporates a host of design and technology details that bolster comfort, convenience and quality. They include:



* A new electrical system that supports OnStar and XM Satellite Radio

* A rear-mounted battery that offers increased protection from the elements and improves vehicle weight distribution

* A contemporary "down and forward" instrument panel design that enhances outward visibility and provides a roomier, airy cabin environment

* An all-new climate control system with multiple heating/cooling ducts, up to 20 fan speeds in the base configuration, and infinite speed settings in the optional dual zone climate system

* A new family of premium radio systems with available color screen display

* A unique four-bar deck lid hinge design reduces trunk space intrusion for increased cargo capacity.



###

2008 PONTIAC G8 PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS



Overview



Models:





Pontiac G8 and G8 GT



Body style / driveline:





5-passenger, front-engine, rear-drive sedan



Construction:





unitized body frame, 1- and 2-sided galvanized steel



EPA vehicle class:





midsize sedan



Manufacturing location:





Adelaide, Australia



Key competitors:





Nissan Maxima, Dodge Charger



Engines





3.6L V-6 (LY7)





6.0L V-8 (L76)



Application:





G8





G8 GT



Type:





3.6L V-6





6.0L V-8



Displacement (cu in / cc):





217 / 3564





364 / 5967



Bore & stroke (in / mm):





3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6





3.99 x 3.62 / 101.3 x 92



Block material:





cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners





cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners



Cylinder head material:





aluminum





aluminum



Valvetrain:





dual overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing





valve-in-head; 2 valves per cylinder; roller lifters



Ignition system:





electronic individual coil-on-plug; individual cylinder knock control and extended-life platinum-tipped spark plugs





high-energy distributorless ignition; solid state direct-fire ignition w/ coil near plug and integrated ignition



Fuel delivery:





returnless, multi-port fuel injection





returnless, multi-port fuel injection



Compression ratio:





10.2:1





10.4:1



Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):





261 / 194 @ 6300 rpm*





362 / 270 @ 5700*



Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):





250 / 340 @ 3200 rpm*





391 / 530 @ 4400*



Recommended fuel:





regular unleaded





regular unleaded



Maximum engine speed (rpm):





6900





6000



Emissions controls:





evaporative system, single close-coupled catalytic converter, equal-length exhaust, single underfloor catalytic converter, positive crankcase ventilation, intake and exhaust cam phasers, electronic throttle control





evaporative system, close-coupled catalytic converters, positive crankcase ventilation, electronic throttle control



Estimated fuel economy:





TBD





TBD



Transmission



Type:





Hydra-Matic 5L40 5-spd automatic





Hydra-Matic 6L80 6-speed automatic





TR6060- six-speed manual



Gear ratios (:1):





First:





3.42





4.03





3.01



Second:





2.21





2.36





2.07



Third:





1.60





1.53





1.43



Fourth:





1.00





1.15





1.00



Fifth:





0.75





0.85





0.84



Sixth:





--





0.67





0.57



Reverse:





3.02





TBD





TBD



Final drive ratio:





2.92





2.92





3.27



Chassis/Suspension



Front:





multi-link MacPherson strut; direct-acting stabilizer bar; progressive-rate coil springs; fully adjustable camber, caster and toe



Rear:





four-link independent; progressive-rate coil springs over shocks; stabilizer bar; fully adjustable camber and toe



Steering type:





variable-ratio rack-and-pinion



Steering ratio:





46-53 mm per revolution



Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:





2.8



Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):





37.4 / 11.4



Brakes



Type:





four-wheel disc w/ ABS; ventilated front and rear rotors; twin-piston front calipers; single piston alloy rear calipers



Rotor diameter (in / mm):





G8 front: 11.73 / 298

G8 rear: 11.89 / 302

G8 GT front: 12.64 / 321

G8 GT rear: 12.76 / 324



Wheels/Tires





G8





G8 GT



Wheel size and type:





18 x 8-inch painted aluminum





18 x 8-inch painted aluminum (std); 19 x 8-inch painted aluminum (opt)



Tires:





P245/45R18





P245/45R18 (std); P245/40R19 (opt)



Dimensions

Exterior



Wheelbase (in / mm):





114.8 / 2915



Overall length (in / mm):





196.1 / 4982



Overall width (in / mm):





74.8 / 1899



Overall height (in / mm):





57.7 / 1465



Track (in / mm):





front: 62.7 / 1592

rear: 63.3 / 1608



Curb weight (lb / kg):





Base: 3885 / 1762

GT: 3995 / 1812



Interior



Seating capacity (front / rear):





2 / 3



Headroom (in / mm):





front: 38.7 / 989

rear: 38 / 965



Legroom (in / mm):





front: 42.2 / 1071

rear: 39.4 / 1001



Shoulder room (in / mm):





front: 59.1 / 1501

rear: 59.1 / 1500



Hip room (in / mm):





front: 56.7 / 1439

rear: 58 / 1472



Capacities



EPA interior volume (cu ft / L):





124.5 / 3528



Cargo volume (cu ft / L):





17.5 / 496



Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg):





1000 / 454



Fuel tank (gal / L):





19.2 / 72.6



Engine oil (qt / L):





3.6L: 7.6 / 7.2

6.0L: 8.9 / 8.5



Cooling system (qt / L):





3.6L: 10.8 / 10.2

6.0L: 11.4 / 10.8



*Pending SAE certification.

The Chevy Camaro isn't the only new car coming from General Motors in the next couple years.



Camaro reportedly will be joined by the Pontiac G8, a companion to the next-generation GTO due for 2009, as well as high-performance Chevy Impala and Buick sedans.



All will be derived from the same midsize, rear-wheel-drive platform.



Camaro and its companions will put a little more emphasis on the days of the high-performance, high-styled American muscle cars of the '60s and '70s and should attract Baby Boomers who didn't have the dough at the time to take part.



"It's exciting. All of these cars should rejuvenate the car business at GM," according to John Wolkonowicz, senior analyst for Global Insight, who closely follows GM's product strategy. "This is exactly what Detroit should be doing."



Camaro will be in showrooms early in the 2009 calendar year. It will mark the return of the sporty car from the '60s that got emasculated in the '80s, when federal fuel economy regulations shifted attention to mileage, not fun, and put the focus on Japanese machines.



"The domestics have lots of blue-collar fans who love Chevy, Ford and Dodge but have been left out in the cold for a long time. They want cars with an American flavor and American muscle--Charger, Challenger, Camaro, Mustang--a heritage the Japanese don't have," Wolkonowicz said.



Bringing back performance when consumers want high mileage could be a tough sell, and GM has to bring out some high-mileage small cars, too, Wolkonowicz admits. "But this isn't about cars with large V-8s consuming lots of fuel. High performance doesn't have to mean bad fuel economy," he said.



While consumers are captivated with how much fuel gas/electrics can save, the hybrid Toyota Highlander with a V-6 gets 27 m.p.g. on the highway. But, he said, the Chrysler 300C with a Hemi V-8 gets 27 m.p.g. and the Chevy Impala with a V-8 gets 28 m.p.g. highway.



And most Camaros, like Mustangs, will be built with V-6s for those who want the look and more than 30 m.p.g. on the highway.



"You want better mileage? Get out of an SUV that gets 18 m.p.g. highway and into a sports sedan that gets 28 m.p.g. and you've accomplished something--10 m.p.g. better fuel economy," Wolkonowicz said.



Of course, you'd do even better getting into a 38 m.p.g. Toyota Corolla.



"But it's still a free country, and we can drive what we like and not what fuel-economy activists want us to drive," he said.



If Impala makes the switch from front-wheel-drive, it may signal the departure of its companion Monte Carlo coupe. Stay tuned.



Crossover currents: Mark Fields, president of the Americas at Ford, said two derivatives of the Lincoln MKS will follow closely on the heels of the sedan coming out in the 2008 calendar year.



The two will be "people movers," Lincoln and Ford crossovers. The Ford version is being developed off the Fairlane concept, but won't be called that when production starts in the 2008-09 time frame, according to Wolkonowicz, who also keeps tabs on future Ford products.



The crossovers would fill a void left by the departing Ford and Mercury mini-vans.



Where's the beef? Ford hopes to ease gripes that the Five Hundred sedan is underpowered by adding a 260-horsepower V-6 in late 2007 for the 2008 model year.



Now the sedan has only a 203-h.p. V-6.



Five Hundred gets a facelift at the same time, with the new look scheduled to debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January.