General Motors has released details of its model lineup for 2010. As might be expected from a company in bankruptcy, the number of model launches is modest, though significant. There are six new vehicles: the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX and CTS SportWagon, Chevrolet Camaro and Equinox, and the GMC Terrain, plus a special-edition Corvette, the Grand Sport.

But the bigger news may be what isn’t included in the plan; GM won’t be building the mild-hybrid versions of the Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura or Saturn Vue, according to an AutoBlog report. (Since the company has announced it is selling Saturn, eliminating Saturn hybrids is not surprising.)

GM spokesman Brian Corbett confirms, “Production of 2010 model year Malibu hybrids is suspended due to high inventories of ’09 models for the remainder of the calendar year.” After that he says, the company will reassess whether to continue building Malibu hybrids. Production of the Saturn hybrids is also suspended for now pending final arrangements with Penske Automotive Group, the company buying Saturn.

Since GM is phasing out Pontiac, the laudable G8 sedan is also history (along with a number of other Pontiac models we won’t miss). The lone Pontiac listed for 2010 is the CR-recommended Toyota Matrix twin Vibe.

Beyond the new models, General Motors has new technology coming to improve fuel economy, including:

• Adding cylinder cutoff technology to the 6.2-liter V8 engine used in the Cadillac Escalade.
• Adding variable valve timing all 5.3-liter V8 and 6.2 liter V8s. (Flex-fuel capability will also be expanded to almost all the company’s V8s.)
• Making a single-speed transfer case standard on Tahoe, Yukon, Avalanche, and Suburban SUVs which means they become full-time four wheel drive. (A two-speed transfer case will still be optional.)
• Expanding the range of special XFE fuel economy trim lines to its large and small pickups.

Safety technology will also be expanded, with side and side-curtain airbags standard on Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups, a rearview camera available on the Chevy HHR, and lane departure warnings and blind zone alerts available on the Cadillac DTS.

USB ports for connecting portable music players will become more commonplace, as will XM Traffic alerts and advanced OnStar 8.2.

We hope these new technologies will help GM vehicles become more competitive. And, of course, we will test the new models as soon as they are available. In fact, we already bought a Camaro.

—Eric Evarts