Free Republic

LOS ANGELES, Feb 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. government's majority stake in General Motors Co GM.UL has no bearing on the response of regulators to safety problems at Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T)(TM.N), Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on Friday. "That argument is baloney," LaHood said when asked about the issue during an appearance in Los Angeles. Questions about whether the government stands to benefit as a GM shareholder from its regulatory crackdown on Toyota gained some steam this week with a number of critics suggesting at least the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Buyers Weigh the Prospects for Shuttered or Endangered Car Models; Where Can You Find Parts? Like many drivers, Edward Suchodolski is facing the prospect of life with an orphan car. The 43-year-old construction manager bought a sporty Pontiac G8 GXP in March, about a month before General Motors Co. announced it would discontinue the Pontiac brand. While he loves the car for its power, its handling and the fun of shifting its manual transmission, he is starting to worry about the future. The anxiety is just enough, he says, to cut into his enjoyment. I find myself driving it less,"...