The defunct Honda Accord Hybrid proved that the world wasn’t ready for a “performance” hybrid in 2005, but General Motors could be planning to test the waters again next decade with performance versions of its Chevrolet Volt architecture.

Volkswagen’s Jetta has long been its bread and butter sedan in North America, and since it’s not a big player elsewhere, the next-generation model set to debut for 2011 will probably be a little more tailored for the North American market. Our illustration, based on what we’ve been able to discern from tight-lipped VW so far, shows a clear familiar resemblance to the new Golf.

While Cadillac’s STS will be discontinued in the U.S. in a little over a year, the version General Motors sells in China, the SLS, appears ready to soldier on for a few more model years. A few weeks ago a camouflaged 2011 Cadillac SLS was spotted testing in the United States. Now we’ve just managed to catch a few photos of the SLS with no camo before it made a quick get away down the highway.

GMAC Financial Services – the lending arm of both General Motors and Chrysler – will require another round of taxpayer-funded loans, the Federal Reserve said on Monday. GMAC has already received $12.5 billion in federal aid.

Toyota confirmed today that it plans to introduce its redesigned 2011 Sienna minivan next month at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The current model will continue for a shortened 2010 model year before the all-new third-generation model makes its debut.

Ever since the demise of the E46 M3 CSL, enthusiasts have been (im)patiently awaiting a replacement. That successor has finally arrived in the form of the 2011 M3 GTS. Like the CSL, the GTS features substantially reduced weight, complemented by slightly increased horsepower, which now comes to life thanks to a couple of BMW-issued videos.

It’s not unusual to find someone else’s playlist still on the hard drive of a higher-end press car’s audio system when it shows up in our driveway for a week-long evaluation. Sometimes it’s fun to guess who had the vehicle last – the Barbara Streisand collection (200 songs, really?) in a Dodge Charger, for example. But no music has ever seemed more appropriate than “The Phantom of the Opera” soundtrack in a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

General Motors is no stranger to badge engineering – with not a single of its four remaining core brands able to claim a completely unique product offering – but our spy photographer have just spotted what may be the most egregious example in recent memory – the Daewoo LaCrosse.

BBDO – a long time advertising partner of Chrysler – has announced it will be closing its Detroit office, effective January 26th. BBDO Detroit failed to sign a new contract with Chrysler, with the current agreement set to expire on January 26.

With new business plans now in place at all three of the Detroit automakers, stand-alone dealerships are fading quickly. Multiple brands are now being lumped together at a single dealership, perhaps marking the end for stand-alone Lincoln-Mercury stores.

Well ahead of its Geneva Motor Show introduction next March, Volvo has released a pair of official photos of its much-anticipated new S60 sedan. Traditionally Volvo’s mainstream offering, the S60 takes over for the outgoing model that was discontinued earlier this year.

Nissan has announced a number of changes to the European-market GT-R sports car. Although the changes are mainly minor, they do address some of the small complaints the current generation GT-R has had in Europe since it was introduced and they also help make it Euro 5 emissions compliant.

A recent analysis of the Cash for Clunkers trade-ins and purchases reveals a startling contrast between Michigan participants and the rest of the nation in regards to the origin of the vehicles traded-in and purchased.

Following an extended shutdown, General Motors has restarted production of its Hummer H3 and H3T models at its Shreveport, Louisiana plant. Production of the H3 ceased earlier this year, but the Shreveport factory has officially reopened for production of the 2010 model.

General Motors announced on Monday that it will invest C$90 million ($85.2 million USD) into its Ingersoll, Ontario CAMI production facility. The CAMI plant produces the popular Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossover vehicles.

Well ahead of VW’s initial projection of becoming the world’s largest automaker by 2018, it has now officially surpassed Toyota Motor Corp. worldwide in unit production this year.

Following his departure from General Motors last week, former Opel head Carl-Peter Forster has reportedly landed a job as head of British operations for India’s Tata Motors. The new role will put Forster in charge of Tata-owned Jaguar and Land Rover.

Houston-based Reliant Energy CEO David Crane, who drives a Tesla Roadster, says that the energy provider is moving steadily towards offering in-home and support services for owners of electric vehicles.

Last month, our spies caught a lightly disguised 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 Heavy Duty pickup out and about, showing off its new three-bar perforated grille that shares styling with the 2010 GMC Terrain midsize crossover. Now, we’ve just received these pictures of a completely uncamouflaged 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 dually

General Motors has reportedly given the green light to a production version of the company’s Cadillac Converj concept. The Converj – which shares its electric drive system with the upcoming Chevrolet Volt – debuted in concept form at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.