GM Tells Owners to Stop Driving New SUVs

Saying its new mid-size sport-utility vehicles are unsafe at any speed because of a faulty suspension part, General Motors Corp. told 6,000 owners to stop driving them until they can be fixed. GM also said it was temporarily halting production of the 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada SUVs, which went on sale this year. The company has produced about 30,000 of the vehicles, among its most profitable trucks, but only 6,000 have been delivered to buyers. Spokesman Mike Morrissey said the problem lies with a component in the lower control arm of the front suspension. The auto maker has not received any reports of accidents or injuries from the problem, he said. “If that component were to fail, it could cause a loss of vehicle control,” Morrissey said. Dealers will contact owners and arrange for the vehicles to be towed for repair, he said. GM shares rose $1.38 to close at $53.43 on the New York Stock Exchange.