General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) is finally facing the reality of $4 gas. The automaker today announced is plans to close four plants and introduce smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. More importantly, the company is considering selling its gas-guzzling Hummer brand.Bloomberg News quotes GM Chief Executive Rick Wagoner as saying that the plant closings will save $1 billion and cut North American truck capacity by 700,000 vehicles. About 10,000 jobs may be cut as the result of the closures. GM's board also approved the production of a new small Chevrolet car in a plant in Ohio in 2010 and the Chevy Volt electric vehicle in Detroit, according to the Associated Press.
Wagoner's turnaround plan for GM, which was started in 2005, has hit a brick wall. Sales of pick-ups and SUVs are plunging as gas prices are rising. GM has already shifted much of its health care costs to the UAW but more needs to be done to help the automaker remain competitive.
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