Almost exactly a year after revealing the Provoq Concept, Cadillac is debuting the redesigned 2010 SRX wearing essentially the same suit of clothes. At that time, the Provoq was thought to be a preview of a new smaller crossover called the BRX, but Cadillac informed us last summer that the “BRX” was actually the all-new SRX.

We’ll be seeing the new SRX in production form at the Detroit Auto Show, and while automakers often throw the term “all-new” around, in this case it really seems to apply. There is almost nothing carried over to this version of the SRX compared to the old one, although many of the greasy bits are shared with other GM vehicles. The biggest difference going from the Provoq concept to the production SRX is the powertrain. The Provoq used a Volt based E-Flex powertrain with a fuel cell range extender. The SRX is a far more conventional though fully modern luxury crossover. Read all about the details after the jump.

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Even though the all-new Camaro has yet to hit Chevy’s showroom floors, General Motors reported that it has received some 10,000 pre-orders for the retro-penned sports car. The announcement was made by GM’s head of North American marketing and sales, Mark LaNeve. The new Camaro will be offered with a base 3.8-liter V6 with 300HP and a 6.2-liter V8 unit developing 400HP when hooked up to an auto transmission and 422HP when matted to a 6-speed manual.

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The official teaser sketch you see above gives us our first glimpse of Holden’s upcoming, Australian built compact car that will available in late 2010 in both four-door sedan and hatchback versions. The yet unnamed compact model will be based on GM’s global Delta small car architecture that underpins the Chevy Cruze as well as the next-generation Opel / Vauxhall / Saturn Astra. It will be GM Holden’s first locally produced car beyond the Commodore (sold in the States as the Pontiac G8) since the demise of the Vectra production in 1998.

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True to their word, the Canadians came through with an aid package to support the auto industry, namely GM and Chrylser. The amount to be loaned is $4 billion Canadian, with $2.7 billion coming from the national government and $1.3 billion coming from Ontario, where much of the industry is based. With the conversion from Canadian to U.S. dollars at today’s rates, that works out to just about the 20-percent that was promised. Parts suppliers in Canada will also have access to the money, and some portion of the loan will also be used to provide impetus to get banks to lend money to buyers. Yet, as with the American loan, it won’t last long: one analyst said “It probably only buys them three months or four months where they can get their ducks in order … and hopefully come up with a plan to get everything straightened out so that they can survive.”

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Through some circumstantial evidence, “rumblings” and tea leave-reading, Autoweek has come to the conclusion that General Motors may unveil a new Cadillac model at the Detroit Auto Show powered by the Chevrolet Volt’s range-extending hybrid powertrain.

Rumors of a Caddy-badged Volt have been circulated since earlier this year, with Bob Lutz and other GM execs hinting at the possibility of new hybrid model joining the Cadillac line-up. Lutz told reports back in September that “there’s definitely room” for an eco-conscious Caddy and that “there’s going to have to be some kind of dramatic environmental statement” from GM’s luxury brand. So what form could it take?

Opel and Vauxhall versions of the Volt are already planned, but a Cadillac variant would likely be a small- to mid-size crossover. Just such a vehicle is slated to arrive in the second quarter of 2009 – the next generation SRX — inspired by the Provoq concept unveiled earlier this year. While the Volt is supposed to carry a price tag of around $40,000, the range-extended, plug-in hybrid CUV from Cadillac would be priced significantly higher, and that could help GM recoup some of the costs associated with the Volt’s advanced drivetrain development. We’ll know for sure in a few weeks time.

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Senate Republicans are saying: Not so fast. Or maybe, not at all.

The endless bailout saga continues. This time it is Republicans in the Senate who are seeking to block passage of the 14 billion US dollar bailout package that the House passed on Wednesday night. That package was agreed upon by Democratic leaders and the White House which would provide emergency bridge loans to General Motors and Chrysler in order for the two most desperate of the Big 3 automakers to avoid a collapse.

But with Democrats holding a tenuous 50-49 majority in the Senate, passage without at least some Republican support is almost impossible. Democrats would need a super majority of 60 seats in order to override any Republican blockage.

Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, said in a speech on the Senate floor, “a lot of struggling Americans are wondering where their bailout is.” McConnell is supporting an alternative bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, that requires immediate concessions by auto workers and debt holders as a pre-requisite for the low-interest loans being provided to automakers. Republicans are also weary of giving money to the struggling industry based on mere promises of reform. They want automakers to make commitments to restructuring before getting any help.

The Bush administration, having agreed on the plan with Congressional Democrats, is trying to convince Republicans to support it. But President Bush no longer holds much sway with lawmakers of his own party.

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WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Bush administration will consider other options, if necessary, to prevent a collapse of troubled automakers Chrysler and General Motors, a White House spokeswoman said Friday, one day after the Senate failed to reach a compromise on a bailout plan.

“Under normal economic conditions we would prefer that markets determine the ultimate fate of private firms,” Dana Perino said in a written statement.

“However, given the current weakened state of the U.S. economy, we will consider other options if necessary - including use of the TARP program (Troubled Asset Relief Program) — to prevent a collapse of troubled automakers.

“A precipitous collapse of this industry would have a severe impact on our economy, and it would be irresponsible to further weaken and destabilize our economy at this time.”

“It is disappointing that while appropriate and effective legislation to assist and restructure troubled automakers received majority support in both houses, Congress nevertheless failed to pass final legislation.

“The approach in that legislation provided an opportunity to use funds already appropriated for automakers, and presented the best chance to avoid a disorderly bankruptcy while ensuring taxpayer funds go only to firms whose stakeholders were prepared to make the difficult decisions to become viable, competitive firms in the future.

“While the federal government may need to step in to prevent an immediate failure, the auto companies, their labor unions, and all other stakeholders must be prepared to make the meaningful concessions necessary to become viable,” the statement said.

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