Filed under: Government/Legal, Green, Chrysler, LLC., Ford, GM
Detroit supplier organizing March of Green Vehicles to Washington
Bad idea: Detroit 3 CEOs showing up for a Congressional hearing to beg for money in private jets. Good idea: said CEOs showing up at Congress' curb in their respective company's greenest vehicles. Just such a caravan has been proposed by Tim Leuliette, CEO of supplier Dura Automotive Systems Inc., and it's gaining steam. The idea is to highlight how integral the Detroit automakers are to the lives of many who work outside the companies themselves, and to showcase their latest fuel efficient models.
Expect the march to Washington to remain a grassroots effort. Each of the Detroit 3's spokespeople have commented that they are in support of the plan but are not interested in organizing it. It is also highly unlikely that any Detroit 3 CEO would travel to D.C. in the motorcade, as well. To be as effective as possible, some are suggesting that the organizers create a central website with information for those who want to participate like where they should go and when they should be there. Now, if Bob Lutz lead the procession in a Volt mule, that'd send a message. Do it, Bob!
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
dan spalinger 9:09AM (11/26/2008)
Yeah, and put the accurate $45K price tag on it and the senators will laugh you right back to the dump that is Detroit...
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The Other Bob 9:10AM (11/26/2008)
I'd join in too, but my Chevy truck would not exactly be considered green.
Would a classic Mustang be allowed in? Its not green, but its engine has been recycled a couple time since it was built in 1966.
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mkovac1 9:13AM (11/26/2008)
Did anyone else think that was Leslie Nielson for half a second?
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carcomptoy 9:13AM (11/26/2008)
Seriously can we get over the fact that they got to D.C. in private jets? Your sister site Autoblog Green just wrote an awesome article about how tired that point is--let's move on already!
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IK 10:55AM (11/26/2008)
never!
Gary 9:18AM (11/26/2008)
Wow, this is like three day old news. NPR told this story on Monday and I read it on the "other" blogs at least a few days ago.... damn autoblog
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TigerMil 9:21AM (11/26/2008)
LOL. They'd probably fly the cars in the belly of their jets to Washington to save time.
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JERRY 9:36AM (11/26/2008)
And just what are the flying perks of our elected officials in Washington?
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Polly Prissy Pants 9:50AM (11/26/2008)
It's somewhat ironic how nobody seems to favor the wall street bailouts yet they just keep coming and coming, and congress is putting Detroit through the ringer to get a fraction of the money and people are organizing grassroots efforts to support it because it may not happen. There seems to be a serious disconnect between the wishes of the people and the actions of our government.
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H 6:29PM (11/30/2008)
Amen!
Shipey 9:59AM (11/26/2008)
"There seems to be a serious disconnect between the wishes of the people and the actions of our government."
Winner: Understatement of the Year
JZeke 11:38AM (11/26/2008)
The gov is just doing what they do best: keep their friends happy, keep the largest industries afloat, and pretend to actually be serving the people's best interest. I mean finance is a multi-trillion dollar industry, wheres autos... not so much. I think labor in auto is considered expendable by the talking heads in office.
Mobius_1 10:22AM (11/26/2008)
Volt, Dodge EV and Fiesta.
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BLS 10:27AM (11/26/2008)
Escalade Hybrid, Aspen Hybrid, and Mariner Hybrid.
Then they say, "If we go out of business how can you look environmental and patriotic without thes babies?"
hypermiler 10:31AM (11/26/2008)
Almost all of these electric cars have foreign made batteries.
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The Other Bob 4:27PM (11/26/2008)
The Ford Hybrids have foreign made batteries, but the GM cars have Covasys batteries. That said, are there really any big battery producers here?
giantkiller06ss 10:35AM (11/26/2008)
The general public seems not understand how important the US automakers are to overall domestic economy. Thousands if not millions of people’s livelihoods & lives are or have been dependant on this once great industry. The big 3 may have made some mistakes, but the fact is a lot cars they make today are as good if not better for the money than anything from the imports. People have to wise up, not go on a basis perception and really look and drive some of the great products out there; i.e.: Ford Fusion, Chevy Malibu, Cadillac CTS, & Etc. U.S automakers have not had the luxury to dump vehicle into our country, and short sale them below the their true valve in order to gain market share, like some of the Japanese manufacturing have. This is in sharp contrast to how our vehicles have been taxed on export. Out of country pride alone we should take to the movement with the US auto manufacturers & supplies, and show Washington & the world the best we have to offer; past, present and ensure further successes in the future. The US economy and the way of life for very many depends on it, and don’t kid yourself; it’s that important.
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Avinash machado 10:38AM (11/26/2008)
Or maybe they could drive up in a vintage Model T and say see how much transportation has advanced since the time of the Tin Lizzie and we the big three deserve a lot of credit for that. You can show your appreciation for it by granting us the loans.
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Glenn Curran 10:50AM (11/26/2008)
If they get enough participants, will it be "The Million Mile March"?
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Cash 11:10AM (11/26/2008)
The irony is driving in a motorcade to Washington in your hyrbid is pretty much a gigantic waste of energy. Hilarious.
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