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More rear drive at GM?Lutz: Higher U.S. fuel-economy goals may cause automaker to reshape models.Jeff Green / Bloomberg NewsGeneral Motors Corp. probably will resume development of larger, rear- wheel-drive cars after pausing because the U.S. may raise fuel- economy standards, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said Wednesday.The sedans, which share engineering with the planned Chevrolet Camaro sports car, may have to have more fuel-efficient engine options, Lutz said in an interview for the program "Autoline Detroit" to air Sunday on Detroit Public Television."It's terrifically important for GM to build these cars," said John Wolkonowicz, an analyst at Lexington, Massachusetts- based Global Insight Inc. "It goes back to real American cars for real American buyers. Too many of their cars have been bad copies of Japanese cars."Lutz's comments softened from last month, when he said rear- drive cars were among future models "paused" as the U.S. considers tougher fuel-economy rules. GM needs models popular with more buyers to keep pace with Toyota Motor Corp., which passed GM in global sales last quarter.GM put its lineup under review after President George W. Bush earlier this year said he has a goal of lifting new vehicles' average fuel economy by 4 percent a year during the next decade.Any delay in future models won't affect the Camaro, slated to go on sale in 2009, or a rear-drive Pontiac G8 model that GM introduced at the New York auto show for sale next year."The Camaro certainly is safe and after that I would say it's pretty safe," Lutz said. "Frankly, I think we'll wind up concluding that we should go ahead and do the cars, albeit possibly with some different powertrain options and so forth."
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