The big auto companies have seen lots of bad news lately. General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) just announced a record loss of $39 billion, and even though the number reflects one-time tax losses, it still managed to shock Wall Street. A week ago, Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) also stumbled badly when Consumer Reports downgraded the reliability ratings of several of its most popular vehicles, including the V6 Camry. And with the US economy heading into what may already be a recession, the outlook for car sales is pretty grim.

However, a bit of good news for GM emerged this week as the 2008 car reviews came out. The new Chevrolet Malibu is finally here and it looks like it could help GM regain ground it has lost to Toyota and other foreign manufacturers in the last few years. I was a bit worried a few months ago when Chevy failed to make the Malibu available for early review. In Hollywood, this is a sure sign that the product is a dog and beyond repair, and I was afraid that this was true in Detroit as well. But the reviews are coming out and they are all positive.

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.