GM goes glam

GENERAL Motors unveiled a raft of prototypes at the Detroit motor show, proving the world's biggest car-maker has plenty of ideas for a truck-crazy future.

Stung by criticism the company has lost its creative edge, GM's designers turned out a range of vehicles which not only embrace the trend to Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) but reflect the diversity of the US market.

At the top end of the scale was the Hummer H2, which may be the baby brother to the all-terrain vehicle which became popular after the Gulf War, but still shadows most four-wheel drive wagons.

The Hummer H2 is the first tangible result of the marketing deal made six months ago between GM and Hummer manufacturer AM General Corp.

GM will start selling the Hummer H2 in 2002.

It retains the original Hummer's square military looks but is based on a GM truck platform and has a V8 diesel engine and a more passenger friendly interior.

The Chevrolet SSR - which stands for super sport roadster - is designed to be a view of what sporty coupes like the famed Chevrolet Camaro could become in the world of crossover vehicles.

Looking like a futuristic FJ Holden Ute, it is a two-seater pickup built on GM's production S10 truck platform, but powered by a 6.0-litre V8 hot rod engine.

The bigger GMC Terradyne is also a pickup but on a bigger platform to provide seating for five people so it can double as a family car on weekends.

The Buick LaCrosse has the looks of a Porsche-like coupe but the rear hatch slides up over the roof, the tailgate slips away and the rear seats fold down to produce a small pickup bed.

Of interest to Buick fans who have tired of the series of V6- engined cars in the line-up, the LaCrosse features a V8 engine - not to mention an old-fashioned "clamshell" bonnet which opens from the side.

At the other end of the scale, GM also unveiled a version of the European-built Opel Zafira SUV called the Snow Trekker.

This vehicle - which ironically will probably not be sold in the US - features an internal storage box long enough to take ski poles.

GM also introduced two concept cars at the Los Angeles Show, which runs at the same time as Detroit, including the Oldsmobile Profile, which has a pair of rear-facing seats that fold down from the back of the front seats.

Chief designer Mr Wayne Cherry claims the concept cars prove GM can now create dramatic technical developments which fit a changing market.

GM executive vice-president Mr Ronald Zarrella told the assembled media in Detroit that GM was "committed to being the industry leader in innovation".

Clearly, GM is still smarting from criticism it is losing market share - last year below 30 per cent for the first time since 1926 - because its cars are boring and do not embrace the crossover market (pickups, SUVs and minivans).

Now it just needs to get some of them into production.