This mean-lookin’ machine may wind up in your rear-view mirror someday, as GM is thinking hard about bringing this 40mpg car to America.  Don’t you just love the way some cars take on an actual head-on personality.  Engineers must love to do this sort of thing.

It’s called the Beat, and it’s a car that would normally be sold in other markets, such as Asia and Latin America.  But with the high price of gas, and GM’s plunging losses ($38.7 billion in 2007), the company that brought you the Hummer may just have to re-invent itself.  And, no, it isn’t a hybrid.

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First of all, GM allowing a writer such as myself the opportunity to interview executives and ask hard questions is simply unprecedented in recent journalism history. GM's been pursuing this program only since early 2006. They are being extraordinarily open in their efforts to change the company's image and having dinner with their harshest critics is one way to turn things around. Of course, actions have to follow discussions over seared tuna, but it's a start. Based on what I saw at the Auto Show, it's also just the beginning.

I finally had the opportunity to check out the Chevy Volt, and it's a pretty intriguing design. For extra effect, GM also had a little AC plug coming out the side. Based on my interviews with executives, I'm pretty much convinced that this vehicle will in fact see the light of day. I'll even wager that much of what you see today will make it into the final design. Right now, the battery technology is what's lagging behind – but most of those issues should be resolved in the coming years. For more info, please check out autobloggreen's fantastic in-depth journey with GM's battery development team.

Beyond the Volt, GM also released three concept mini-cars. Yes, these vehicles still use gasoline engines, but their presence in the United States (and not Europe) signals a shift from "think big" to "think small". GM's commitment to the small car is passionate; with an intense drive to make them as appealing design-wise as they are economically. In the spirit of democracy, you can log onto Vote4Chevrolet to pick you favorite concept mini-car. The vehicle with the most votes will tell GM what design will resonate best with the American public.

The most important impression I had from the NY Auto Show is that green is now a part of business-as-usual and not just some buzzword. Almost every major manufacturer had some eco-friendly car to show off. Even the über-luxurious Maybach stood out as the only car with solar panels imbedded in its roof. Hydrogen made its presence known with vehicles from BMW and GM, but I think it's safe to say that we're many years away from a functional infrastructure. Not too mention the costs associated with the technology.

I'll have plenty more videos, interviews, and other topics to share shortly. For the time being, you can read my latest piece on Groovy Green titled "When An Environmentalist Has Dinner With A Hummer Executive" detailing my time with Executive Director of Hummer, Ross Hendrix.