Oh, what a mess! General Motors could face liquidation on July 10 unless a federal bankruptcy judge approves the sale of the automaker's best assets to a new company. Now the German Opel deal is doubtful as well. According to the Detroit News, German Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg revealed that he didn't like the tentative accord which would transfer control of Opel to Canadian supplier Magna International Inc and its Russian partner Sberbank.

Meanwhile the Nummi California plant co-owned by GM and Toyota is being abandoned by General Motors. In recent years it had been producing Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe clones but with Pontiac soon to disappear, the plant loses its primary reason for existence, though it also produces Toyota Corolla compacts and Tacoma pickups. To be honest, I always thought it was sad that GM had to depend on Toyota for compact cars carrying Chevrolet and Pontiac badges. Whatever you may think of General Motors management, there were always brilliant designers and engineers on staff who were capable of developing a world-class compact had they been given a chance.

Today's good news (thankfully there is some): The new Chrysler Group LLC has given the PT Cruiser a last-minute reprieve. Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne (who is also CEO of Fiat) said the company will keep building the PT Cruiser. Trust an Italian to recognise the value of a car Detroit had been ready to trash. Now, if they could only bring back the Neon!