Industry Report: GM's Bob Lutz Considers Dumping One Brand to Curb Losses

Hummer, however, is struggling. Its H1 has disappeared from Canada altogether, and sells nominally in the U.S. H2 sales have fallen

Hummer is struggling, not only from a sales volume perspective, but also from image problems. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

off dramatically in both countries, with GM looking to the new midsize H3, and potentially a pickup variant shown in concept form as the H3T, to boost interest in the brand. It's not only hurting from a sales volume perspective, but Hummer's brutish image and extremely poor fuel economy is a difficult sell in today's environmentally conscious market. If there was a brand that needed an optional hybrid electric drivetrain, it's Hummer.

Cadillac is probably GM's hottest brand, with a host of new rear- and all-wheel drive sedans, a full-size SUV, crossover SUV, a crossover SUV-pickup truck and two new limousines. In an interesting twist, it will be building a new B-segment car in Saab's Trollhatten plant, dubbed the BLS, only for European consumption. And that new relationship might be exactly what Saab needs, as the premium player has

Saab seems to be on a positive course now, and looks to be given a new lease on life. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

struggled to become profitable for years despite considerable investment. Saab seems to be on a positive course now, however, and looks to be given a new lease on life.

Isuzu seems like the most obvious brand to drop, but it's not entirely up to GM to do so, and it wouldn't make all that much difference to the domestic automaker's bottom line anyway. So we're back to Buick and Pontiac, with the former seeming like the most obvious candidate to get phased out, along with its aging demographic, if GM plans to follow through with Lutz's comments.