Autoblog

More than one-fourth of GM's 74,000 hourly employees are going to grab the loot and skedaddle. Earlier this year, UAW President Ron Gettlefinger estimated that 15,000 would put their hands out, but another couple thousand decided to hop on the General's money train. The workers are expected to finish their employment by July 1. GM's most recent deal with the UAW means it can replace those folks with lower wage workers and save itself a bundle on payroll. And that will make the job of saving itself that much easier.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

Is the armored Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard not enough? How about a luxury tank?

This amphibious Russian combat reconnaissance/patrol vehicle was purchased by a Russian oligarch and retrofitted with a host of luxury equipment including a full leather interior with wood trim, plus night-vision, hi-fi stereo system, sat-nav and television with DVD player.

Being an amphibious vehicle, it can go in the water too, and has a periscope mounted to the roof to help the driver see where he's going and sonar to see what lies beneath. Get stuck on land? It's got extra wheels hidden underneath that can be deployed as needed. The thing ways weighs a few tons, and is powered by a 5.5-liter V8 diesel.

And here you thought the Hummer and G-wagon were the ultimate in luxury paramilitary vehicles. Park it next to your Aston Martin and you've got your own little James Bond flick goin' on.

(Follow the jump for more images.)

[Source: English Russia via Luxist]