Even the world’s biggest automobile company has shown signs of strain after the recent spike in fuel prices. General Motors has decided to axe four truck-manufacturing facilities following the trends emerging from the rising fuel prices. The facilities that have been chosen are those that are based in Toluca, Mexico; Oshawa, Canada; Janesville, Wisconsin, and Moraine, Ohio. Though there is a steady decline in demand for GM’s trucks and pickups, Hummer brand has proved to be the real laggard. Sales of this brand fell by as much as 29.6 percent in April 2008 compared to the corresponding period in the previous year, prompting the management to consider its sale. There is positive news as well. Sales of smaller automobiles have surged, and the company expects the trend to continue.