GENERAL Motors, struggling to return to profit after three annual losses, says it will close four plants, introduce new small cars and review whether to shed its Hummer brand of large sport-utility vehicles.

Gasoline prices exceeding US$4 a gallon represent "a structural change, not just a cyclical change," Chief Executive Rick Wagoner said yesterday before the Detroit auto maker's annual shareholder's meeting in Wilmington, Delaware.

The four plant closings will save US$1 billion and cut North American truck capacity by 700,000 vehicles, he said. At Hummer, "we're considering all options from a complete revamp to a partial or complete sale of the brand," Wagoner said.

Wagoner's priorities are shifting because gasoline has more than doubled since 2004, including this year's 31-percent climb to US$4. As losses totaled US$54 billion over 39 months, he focused on expanding Detroit-based GM's sales overseas while improving vehicles and cutting costs at home. GM rose 36 cents to US$17.80 yesterday in New York.