When the U.S. government passed the newest CAFÉ regulations, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has insinuated that states cannot regulate vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. Now, there is an ongoing debate on the matter and it looks like automakers are starting to step into the scene.

LeftlaneNews.com reports that lobbyists representing automaker leaders such as General Motors, Ford, Toyota and Honda will try to convince lawmakers to agree on a uniform standard when it comes to greenhouse gasses regulations.

As I see it, granting states the right to implement their own greenhouse gases regulations will be some kind of a burden to automakers. It will mean more money to comply with the standards set by the states, which in turn will deeply affect their operating and production costs.

For more juicy details, click here.

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Reality check: due to the economic downfall, shortages, unemployment and other economic issues, we have seen a lot of “good men gone bad” incidents. Car theft is common and these thieves are getting more innovative and creative as technology lifts off to another height.

Do you wish you could put a tracker inside your car so that by the time this happens to you (I pray not!), then you would be able to track your car with the help of the authorities.

Introducing GM’s OnStar. OnStar is a company (under GM) that provides communications, GPS locator and the like. This service, however, is only available for GM manufactured cars.

Photo taken from http://www.sfgate.com

There had been reports of massive lay offs and downsizing last year. This 2008, the trend has changed. Buyouts are fast becoming a response of companies to a weakening US economy. Take for example the case of General Motors that has recently offered buyouts to its 74,000 strong employees.

NYTImes.com reports that what prompted the popular US automaker to launch its latest “special attrition program” was its fourth quarter losses and the gloomy outlook for the United States market.

Am I smelling bankruptcy here? Or is this just another cost-cutting measure? Or better yet, there is basis on the reports that the American auto industry is in a shamble. We’ll definitely see in the next few months.

On the sales of hybrid cars, that is. Ever since the start of the “environmental craze” amongst the different car makers, different hybrid cars have been produced by car giants to keep up with their sales. But for General Motors, probably hybrid cars are not their cup of tea as GM is losing with their hybrid car sales. Toyota was able to sell close to half a million of hybrid cars. Ford sold about 5,000. And for GM? Not even a thousand—843 cars to be exact.

But GM has a definite answer to that. Hybrids are marketed as the cost efficient and environmental friendly cars but GM said otherwise. In the long run, people would have to spend more on their cars for maintenance and the like.

Photo taken from http://http://www.saltlakespeaks.com

It is on a happy note that I would like to share with you this news. CNNMoney.com reports that General Motors (GM) got two of three nominations each for the Car and Truck of the Year awards at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit slated next month.

The nominees for Car of the Year are the Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Malibu and Honda Accord while the nominees for the Truck of the Year are the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and Mazda CX-9.

47 auto journalists from the United States and Canada serve as the jury to select the winners. Announcement will be next month at the Detroit Auto Show.

By dominating the car awards nominee list, GM has proven once again that they are still on top of their game. If luck comes their way, it will be their second time after winning in the 2007 Auto Show in the same categories with the Saturn Aura and Chevrolet Silverado.

For the link to the article, click here.