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GM profits threatened by glut of pickups

Automotive News reports that General Motors may slash production or ramp up discounts in order to deal with an oversupply of pickup trucks. GM currently has more than double the standard supply of pickups, and the vehicles are threatening to dampen the automaker's profits for 2013. Typically, automakers try to sustain a 60- to 75-day supply of vehicles, but GM is currently loaded with a 139-day supply, as of last month. At the end of November, the automaker was sitting on 245,853 units.
The manufacturer says that it will adjust production accordingly before laying any incentives on the profitable pickups. Even so, there's some concern that the inventory swell could hurt the roll-out of the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. GM actually began slowly stepping back production in August, but it's clear the company will take further action as it heads toward the end of the year and into the next. Analysts predict the automaker could reduce pickup manufacturing by nearly half in the first quarter of 2013.
That still may not be enough to keep GM from laying extra cash on the Silverado and GMC Sierra. While the company's incentive spending was down in November compared to the same month in 2011, both the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 saw double-digit percentage increases in sales last month while the Silverado and Sierra numbers slid compared to a year prior. Incentive spending could help move more trucks and add some balance to the GM inventory surge.

Watch this week's Top Gear America used-car challenge

Top Gear America is back for the penultimate episode of the first season. Used car challenges were some of the highlights of the original UK edition. In our exclusive clip, Tom Ford, Antron Brown and William Fichtner run their $7,000 sports cars in a drag race. As expected, the trio chose very different cars for the challenge. Watch the video to see if a Subaru WRX's all-wheel drive can overcome a power deficit to beat a Ford Mustang and a Chevy Corvette. Brown and Fichtner also spend some time relaxing with an old Jeep Wagoneer. Like them, we're really hoping Jeep will bring back the Wagoneer nameplate. Brown also drives a Maserati Levante, proving that not all family cars need be boring. This week's guest star is actor, rapper and former host of Pimp My Ride, Xzibit. Top Gear America airs Sundays at 8 p.m. Eastern on BBC America. Related Video: Celebrities TV/Movies Chevrolet Ford Subaru Top Gear exclusive top gear america

Chevrolet Malibu gets aggressive redesign for 2016

Cars like the Ford Fusion, Kia Optima and Chrysler 200 have recently raised the styling bar in the midsize sedan game is. In that regard, the rather anonymous Chevrolet Malibu has suffered in recent years. That no longer appears to be an issue with the 2016 Malibu, which is simply caked with interesting elements. The wide, aggressive grille, expressive headlights and angled LED running lamps make the Malibu look like the Impala's much angrier little brother. In back, the Impala inspiration is there, but like the fascia, it's noticeably more aggressive, with a sharper cant to the taillights and a pair of large, integrated dual exhausts (at least on the 2.0-liter, turbocharged model being featured by Chevy). Designers also worked to give the 'Bu a bit more character in the profile, adding a pair of character lines to cut back on the last-gen car's slab-sided looks. While the exterior could almost be described as sporting, the brown-and-beige color scheme in the cabin is noticeably more relaxed. A large, central MyLink system sits atop the dash, while drivers will also have access to a dedicated display in the instrument cluster. A thick-rimmed, three-spoke steering wheel is a bit on the large side, but still looks like a nice piece to work. You can read a lot more about the new 2016 Malibu in our original post from early this morning. But before you do that, have a look at our full gallery of live images from the floor of the Javits Center. All-New Malibu is Larger, More Technological and Efficient New hybrid sedan projected to offer combined rating north of 45 MPG DETROIT – Chevrolet today introduced the all-new 2016 Malibu – a completely restyled midsize sedan engineered to offer more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features than ever. An all-new hybrid powertrain, which leverages technology from the Chevrolet Volt, will help offer a GM-estimated combined rating north of 45 mpg. The Malibu's standard 1.5L turbo powertrain is projected to offer 37 mpg highway. The 2016 Malibu is also longer and lighter, with more interior space and improved fuel efficiency. Its wheelbase has been stretched close to four inches (101 mm), and it is nearly 300 pounds (136 kg) lighter than the current model. "Midsize customers tell us they want great fuel economy, connected technologies, wrapped in a gorgeous exterior. This is exactly what the 2016 Malibu was engineered to do," said Jesse Ortega, Malibu chief engineer.