Due to rising development costs, the folks at General Motors are having to delay a number of models that were originally scheduled to launch within the next couple of years, namely the Cadillac CTS Coupe, Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Cruze, Saab 9-5, and Saab 9-4X.

The Cruze was set to replace the Chevrolet Cobalt and delaying it now puts GM behind the small car trend. The Cruze is a very important car for the General, but GM is determined to have the Cruze released in the U.S. by 2010. The CTS Coupe and LaCrosse aren't expected to be high-volume cars anyway, so delaying these models shouldn't hurt too much. As for the Saabs, the 9-5 is an old car riding on an old platform and is in desperate need of a refresh replacement, while the 9-4X is still in final development at this time.

In the meantime, GM is expanding its development in other areas -- namely plug-in hybrids. The Chevrolet Volt is currently in the works, but we're told that other plug-ins could be arriving within the next few years.

+ Motor Authority: GM confirms delays for Cruze, CTS Coupe and Saab models

Perhaps because their Darth Vader appearance and epic performance came with the unlikeliest of badges, we have always had a soft spot for the Buick Regal GNX. But that isn’t what you’re looking at.

According to the folks at Diesel Power, what you’re actually drooling over is a GM Duramax diesel-powered 1981 Oldsmobile. Sort of. As the story goes, owner David Morad loved his Duramax-equipped truck, but he wanted to swap the monstrous 6.6-liter turbodiesel into something lighter. Enter the Buick Regal.

Buick is making good on a promise it made at the New York Auto Show, unveiling details and renderings today for the Invicta concept car ahead of its unveiling in Beijing.

General Motors may produce a car smaller and cheaper than the LaCrosse for the Buick brand, according to Automotive News.