General Motors continues to salvage itself from the depths of corporate disaster. The company recently announced they will be adding a second shift to a Missouri plant that assembles Chevrolet Express vans and the GMC Savana, abetted in part by the United Auto Workers union. The added shift is apparently being introduced along with the manufacturing of a new mid-sized truck. But despite the humble nature of the models being built, the move says huge things about the way GM is overcoming the obstacles laid before it over the past several years.

Most analysts and experts more or less concluded that General Motors had what was coming to them in the fall of 2008. For years they failed to see the growing market desires for streamlined sporty buzzarounds that centered on fuel efficiency, such as the Mazda3. Instead they focused their industrial strength on building a legion of luxury SUVs and gas-guzzling trucks and vans nobody ended up wanting. Now that they’re returning to the utility automobile game, it’s worth noting that their chosen models are significantly smaller than those of years past.

But it also says that GM is willing to make the risky gambles again, which is a sign of strength. After the 2008 slap in the face, the company saw a complete overhaul in structure, and as a result they started making what were at the time obvious moves: make more fuel efficient models with affordable features and minimal bells and whistles. This has been their course of action ever since. But now, with the expansion in areas where they saw the most destruction – haulers and transporters – they’re showing that they see enough of a future to start building vehicles that will be sold in a predictable long-term pattern.

Unlike the big banks and stock market schmucks who were also bailed out by the benefit of the tax payer, GM seems to have learned their lessons. That’s probably got more to do with the elimination of the former corporate hegemony than humble admission, but it’s a definite improvement. With the expansion into low turnaround auto markets it’s safe to say GM is back in business.

The American auto industry has seen some rough times in recent years. In late 2008 the government infused several car companies, including GM, with taxpayer money. This bailout of the auto industry was contentious at the time, and still is for many. Everyone was hurting and people could barely afford to get by and had to use auto title loans in attempts to get money. Everyone needed a bailout but only companies got one but the market has been stunned at how quickly the industry was able to come back from the brink of failure. After taking a hard look at themselves, General Motors made a lot of changes to their business model and came back stronger than ever. It’s already repaid most, if not all, of the bailout money and the company is currently poised to reclaim the title of the world’s number one automaker.

This top spot has been held by Honda, which dethroned GM years ago. The last time GM held this spot was back in 2008 when it beat Toyota. Many of the top automakers in the world are Japanese. It’s not just due to GM’s improved performance and streamlined production techniques. Its reclamation is, in part, due to the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis that hit Japan recently. This has halted production in many facilities and has brought the country practically to its knees. The Japanese market has been hit again and again and it’s struggled to carry on but as Japan tries to bring itself back together, General Motors has been able to once again dominate the world market.

After a rough couple of years one would think that GM executives would be overjoyed at the news but, surprisingly, this isn’t the case. After all, the company was at risk of filing bankruptcy and now, after the bailout, they’re back on top. Not many would’ve seen this coming but GM is remaining very quiet about this hopeful news. Alan Adler, a spokesman for GM, recently stated, “We don’t run the business based on being the number one sales company. We had that for 77 years. I’d rather GM be profitable and valuable to it’s shareholders.” It seems that GM has really taken a fresh look at themselves. Being boastful and braggadocios, apparently, isn’t GM’s style anymore. They’re all about business and getting the job done.

The company’s sales are strong and people are interested in what they’re doing. GM is a hot commodity right now and their sales and stock value is doing well. Adler went on to say, “We run the business based on designing – building and selling the world’s best vehicles. Now, if that works out to make you number one, then that’s a great thing.” GM doesn’t want to directly bring a lot of attention to this latest development. It’s likely that, in the coming months GM is going to regain the spot but even when that happens the company doesn’t seem content to rest on its laurels. That’s the approach of the past and General Motors wants to keep it that way.

It has been reported that GM will be bringing back the Buick Regal GS. Based on the concept from Detroit this past year, the Regal GS should sport a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder with close to 255 horsepower and a 6-speed manual tranny, pushing power to all four wheels, GM predicts 0-60 in under six seconds. Rear-wheel drive would have been a trick feature, though. The adjustable Recaros will most likely be lost from the concept, most likely due to keeping the price below 40K.

General Motors have just announced that they have posted a $865 million profit for the first quarter of 2010.

The $1.66-per-share profit was far better than a loss of $6 billion, or $9.78 per share, for the same period last year.

It’s also a sign that GM may be able to back up CEO Ed Whitacre’s forecast of a full-year profit.

The U.S. government loaned GM about $50 billion to stay in business. GM has repaid $6.7 billion and hopes to pay back the rest with a stock sale. The government now owns 61 percent of the company.

General Motors announced yesterday it will recall 1.3 million vehicles in an effort to address power-steering issues linked to 14 crashes. The Pontiac G5 and Chevrolet Cobalt are the only U.S. models affected. [AutomotiveNews]

General Motors Co. has been reported to be dropping plans for a Cadillac-badged version of the Chevrolet Volt.

Apparently a Cadillac version of the Volt would be too weighed down by the expected luxury and comfort features to replicate the Volt’s 40-mile electric-only driving range without extensive extra cost, a Bloomberg report said. Sources suggested achieving even a 20-mile driving range solely on battery power might require $30,000 of added cost, the report added.

The loss of the proposed Cadillac variant of the Volt casts more doubt on the near-term applicability of the Volt’s battery-intensive, series-hybrid design.

Some GM executives had argued a Cadillac version of the Volt would help reduce costs – mostly centered around the expensive lithium-ion batteries – and speed wider adoption of the Volt’s technology.

General Motors Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre said at a Monday morning press conference that the automaker has no announcement regarding Saab despite media reports swirling around the globe that a deal to sell the Swedish automaker to Spyker is imminent.

“As of today, we have not changed our direction on the wind-down (of Saab),” Whitacre told reporters in Detroit. “There have been advanced talks but we do not have a deal to announce this morning. If and when that changes, we’ll let you know. And that’s my only comment on that issue.”

General Motors’ China’s sales are up 60 percent year-on-year, and The General wants to keep the momentum going at its Chinese outpost. Automotive News China reports that the Guangzhou Auto Show will play host to the unveiling of the market-specific Cadillac SLS and Buick Excelle XT, the latter described as a four-door “coupé-like sedan.”

The Excelle XT will take a place between the Excelle and the new Regal. The Cadillac gets 3.0-liter and 3.6-liter engines with GM’s SIDI technology that also grace Australia’s new Holden Commodores. The luxury sedan, a lengthened version of our STS with a superior interior, will also be China’s introduction to OnStar.

General Motors confirmed Tuesday that its planned sale of Swedish automaker Saab to Koenigsegg Group AB has collapsed with Koenigsegg terminating the sale.

What’s next for Saab has yet to be determined.

“We’re obviously very disappointed with the decision to pull out of the Saab purchase,” GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson said in a statement issued by GM. ”Many have worked tirelessly over the past several months to create a sustainable plan for the future of Saab by selling the brand and its manufacturing interests to Koenigsegg Group AB.

“Given the sudden change in direction, we will take the next several days to assess the situation and will advise on the next steps next week,” Henderson added.

The failed sale of Saab comes within weeks of GM’s halted sale of Germany’s Opel, though in that case, it was GM that decided not to sell Opel.