GM to lay off one: Mr. Goodwrench

The company did not announce a severance package for Mr. Goodwrench, who, after all, is a service brand name, not a person.

But GM said it would phase out the brand by Feb. 1 in favor of a "Certified Service" program for its four remaining automobile divisions: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac.

"Our No. 1 priority is providing a world-class ownership experience that creates positive, long-lasting relationships with our customers," GM vice president and general manager, Steve Hill, said in a statement.

"This is more than a name change. It is a declaration of our commitment to our customers," he said.

Copyright 2010 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).