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IN BRIEF
Bush meets with Saudi
leader to address oil prices
CRAWFORD, Texas — President
Bush is seeking relief from record
high gas prices and support for
Middle East peace as he opens his
Texas ranch to Crown Prince Abdul
lah of Saudi Arabia, the world’s
largest oil producer.
Bush said he’ll make clear Mon
day that it’s not in Saudi Arabia’s in
terests to keep oil prices high. “If
they pinch the world economy too
much, it’ll affect their ability to sell
crude oil in the long run,” he said in
a television interview last week.
The president also said he’s look
ing for “a straight answer" on how
close the Saudis are to reaching pro
duction capacity. “I don’t
think they’re pumping flat out,"
Bush said.
Bush’s goal of spreading democra
cy across the Arab world also faces
a difficult test with Saudi Arabia, a
longtime ally ruled by absolute
monarchy. Traditionally Bush holds
news conferences with visiting for
eign leaders, but there will be none
during this visit because Abdullah
rarely talks with reporters.
Monday’s meeting marks another
step in greater U.S. involvement in
the Mideast. Two weeks ago Bush
met at the ranch with Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon and said Israel
should abandon plans for new con
struction of Jewish settlements in
the Palestinian territories. The
Saudis believe the administration’s
strong support for Israel harms
prospects for Middle East peace.
— The Associated Press
Safety concerns steer GM
to recall 2 million vehicles
BY KEN THOMAS
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON, D.C. — General
Motors Corp. is recalling more than 2
million vehicles, including nearly 1.5
million sport utility vans and pickup
trucks that have problems with their
seat belts.
The company said Monday a few
minor injuries were associated with
the six separate recalls and owners
would be notified of the problems
by mail.
Among the vehicles affected were
1.48 million SUVs and pickups from
the 2003-2005 model years, including
the Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab,
Suburban, Tahoe, Avalanche; Cadillac
Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT;
GMC Sierra Crew Cab, Yukon XL,
Yukon; and the Hummer H2s.
The recalls represented the latest
challenge for the world’s largest au
tomaker, which last week reported
$1.1 billion in losses in the first quar
ter, its largest quarterly loss in more
than a decade.
GM has cited the financial burdens
of providing health coverage for its
workers and retirees amid lackluster
car sales. Sales of the automaker’s pop
ular SUVs and large trucks have been
r
off, in part because of high gas prices.
As for the recalls, spokesman Alan
Adler said the center safety belt in the
second row of the SUVs and pickups,
typically used for child seats, was rid
ing high on the occupant’s stomach.
Although no injuries have been con
nected to the problem, Adler said,
there could be a reduced protection
in that portion of the body in the
event of a crash.
Bob Lange, GM’s executive direc
tor of structure and safety integra
tion, said fixing the seat belts in the
SUVs and trucks was “an important
precautionary measure. ”
“Our commitment to promoting
safety and reminding everybody to
buckle up properly on every trip led
us to this decision,” Lange said.
The company announced recalls
for the following vehicles:
• More than 330,000 1500 Series
Chevrolet Suburbans and Yukon XLs
from 2000-2001 for potential over
heating of fuel pump wires that could
lead to engine stalling. There were no
known crashes or injuries related to
the problem.
• More than 142,000 1500 Series
Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra
pickups from 1999-2002 and
2500/3500 Series pickups from the
2001-2005 model years with manual
transmissions for parking brake fric
tion. Adler said 26 crashes and one
minor injury were connected to
the problem.
• More than 69,000 Buick Lacrosse
and Buick Allure 2005 models from
Canada for a bent clip that holds part
of the brake. If the clip comes off, it
would lead to brake loss and a crash,
Adler said. There has been one minor
crash from the issue.
• More than 39,000 Buick Ren
dezvous and Pontiac Azteks from 2004
for intermittent stalling or failure to
start because of a faulty ignition relay.
*GM said it was aware of one minor
crash but no injuries.
• More than 22,000 Saturn L Se
ries Wagons from 2002-2004 be
cause they were built with a center
and passenger side rear seat belt an
chors that do not comply with U.S.
and Canadian safety standards.
The company said the problems will
be corrected at no charge.
GM said in 2005, the company has
made 22 recalls accounting for 2.9 mil
lion vehicles. During the same period
in 2004, the company had 18 recalls
for a total of 8.5 million vehicles.
General Motors to recall 2.1 million vehicles
General Motors announced a voluntary recall of nearly 1.5 million sport utility vehicles and pickup
trucks and more than 605,000 other vehicles for various safety reasons.
Vehicles to be recalled
MODELYEARNO. RECALLED REASON
Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab, Suburban, 2003-05 1.49 million Repair to the lap portion of the
Tahoe, Avalanche; Cadillac Escalade, second-row center occupant seat
Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; GMC Sierra belt
Crew Cab, Yukon XL, Yukon; Hummer H2
Chevrolet Suburban and Yukon XL
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series;
GMC Sierra 2500/3500 series
(both with manual transmissions)
Buick Lacrosse and Buick Allure 2005 69,037 Bent clip that holds part of
(Canada only) the brake
Buick Rendezvous and Pontiac Azteks 2004 39,078 Faulty ignition relay could cause
stalling or failure to start
Saturn L Series Wagons 2002-04 22,115 Center and passenger side rear
seat belt does not comply to U.S.
and Canadian safety standards
2000- 01 332,202 Overheating of fuel pump wires
1999-2002 142,585 Parking brake friction
2001- 2004
SOURCE: General Motors
AP
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