General Motors (NYSE: GM) is rumored to be considering the shuttering of its GMC unit as part of its effort to restructure and secure additional public funding.

But now GM executives are telling BusinessWeek that the GMC unit will survive the paring because 1.) It's one of the company's profitable units and 2.) Consumer research shows that absent a GMC line of trucks, most consumers would head over to Ford (NYSE: F) instead of GM's relatively inexpensive Chevrolet line.

GM (NYSE: GM) now has eight car brands. Since some models are built off similar platforms, a sedan from Saturn may not be much different from one sold by Chevy. The problem is GM may not be taking sales from Toyota (NYSE: TM). It may be taking sales from itself.

Last year, GM introduced three crossovers, according to The Wall Street Journal-- the Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia, which are all but identical, and the more luxurious Buick Enclave. There are, of course, only a limited number of crossover buyers. Strong sales for the GMC crossover may hurt Buick.

GM thinks it can manage all of its brands but in a falling domestic car market there is little evidence to show that the company's plan will work.

It is time to kill some of GM's brands, save marketing money, and stop most of the competition among cars built by the same parent company. The firm's weakest brands by sales and falling units are Buick and Saturn. Most of their models are matched by cars in the Chevy, GMC, and Pontiac lines.

Shutting down brands is hard, an admission of defeat. But it is time for GM to let some of its model lines go.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

General Motors Corp.'s (NYSE: GM) first quarter results may not be as bad as they look, even though they are horrendous.

The company missed Wall Street forecasts largely because of losses its former financial business incurred in the suprime mortgage market. Net income was $62 million, or 11 cents per share, compared with $602 million, or $1.06 a year earlier. Revenue fell 16% to $43.9 billion. Excluding one-time items, profit was 17 cents per share. Analysts had expected profit of 87 cents on revenue of $40.9 billion, according to Thomson Financial.

Nonetheless, the automotive business had a $272 million profit, down from $295 million, helped by the cost-cutting undertaken by Chief Executive Rick Wagoner. Profit in the automotive segment on an adjusted basis was $304 million, up from $40 million.

So far, investors have indicated that they believe GM's challenges are more daunting than its rivals. The automaker's shares have lagged both Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) and DaimlerChrylser AG (NYSE: DCX).

But has the market unfairly penalized GM? Is all of the bad news priced into GM's stock?

Anyone looking for a true contrarian bet should consider buying the shares. Remember people don't get rich following the crowd.

One of the stocks that I like to keep an eye on is AutoNation (NYSE: AN). It interests me due to their number one position in online auto sales and because of their robust size. I'm getting a bit curious about how quiet it is over there in terms of news items. I'm not the least bit worried about what they're up to. As I've said before, generally a lack of news means that things are going in a business-as-usual fashion.

As of this writing, the most current news item you'll find on the AutoNation website is their Oct. 26, 2006 news release of their third quarter earnings report. . The most current news piece I can find on the web is a reference to the AutoNation Inc. presentation at the China Auto Services Market Summit, December 5, 2006 at JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai . What this signals to me is that AutoNation is yet another active participant in the massive movement to exploit China's blooming economic opportunities. The summit seemed to be geared more towards automobile service operations than towards outright retailing of automobiles. The logistics of moving cars to market, the financing of new vehicle purchases, underpinning the retail segment, leasing, renting and mechanical service were among the topics of focus. The entire summit signals to me that the groundwork is being carefully laid for a major influx of automobiles into mainland China.

I like the feel of the whole thing. "Detroit's" big three are surely in full preparation for this impending boom. Aren't they? I want to see some advertising fliers showing Chevrolet (NYSE: GM) Silverados parked along the Great Wall. I want to see pictures of the streets of Peking jammed with Nitros (NYSE: DCX) and Explorers (NYSE: F). I want to see some of the money we've spent on cheap Chinese die cast tools and toys coming back as wages for American workers. I want my piece of their economy now. C'mon gang, it's time to bring it on home!

I've just arrived back from a cyber jaunt over to Autoblog.com where they are in a lively discussion about the latest look for the Chevy Malibu. General Motors (NYSE: GM) has created a new look for the Malibu for 2007. Opinions run the gamut from soul gushing infatuation to down right ugh. So far the car has received much more praise than it has taken jabs. I haven't seen enough of the exterior of the car to decide whether I like the way it looks or not, but the interior picture they're exhibiting over there pleases me quite a lot. If the car has good body lines, it should draw ample attention.

What I initially was going to write about GM was in regard to the viewing I had of the little beauty that my brother got his hands on. He bought the first GMC Flex Fuel Sierra 1500 which is available in his part of the state. It's a beautiful truck inside and out, yet looks as rugged as any truck I ever owned. The interior is cleaner and smoother than any truck I've ever been in. But that's not what impressed me the most.

On the rear of the truck, right by where it says Sierra, there's a special little plaque with the words Flex Fuel emblazoned on it for all the world to see. Simply put, his new truck will drink E85 and be just as happy as if it were indulging in gasoline.

Please send word to OPEC and the other oil exporting nations who laugh when they talk of the power they have over us -- we're still a nation of innovators over here. We're still a people who see a need and fill it. We still know how to experiment and engineer. We still have the will and desire to be the best. We refuse to be held hostage by crude oil any longer and if they don't believe it, well ... frankly ... they can kiss my gas ... E85.