Michigan activists turn Chevy Volt into a political issue

That didn't take long.

With the first Chevrolet Volt now appearing in customer driveways, the vehicle has become a direct political issue. Sure, people have argued in the past about whether or not "Government Motors" got too much help from those socialists in the White House to build the car, but these statements could be dismissed because they usually came from angry talk show hosts with axes to grind. Given that the Volt is such a Michigan car – the batteries are made in Holland, MI and the cars themselves in Hamtramck – and how important GM is to the state's economy, it's not all that surprising that the Volt has become a local political issue.

The lefties over at Progress Michigan sent out an email calling on its base to get Governor-elect Rick Snyder to keep up the efforts that outgoing Governor Jennifer Granholm did to support the Volt. The email, which you can find after the jump, says:

Snyder has said he supports continuing the investment in advanced battery technology that spurred job growth and paved the way for the Volt's success. Now, we need him to make good on that promise and also commit to making strategic infrastructure investments in things like charging stations to make Michigan the national leader in electric vehicles!
Michigan's ready to lead, but we can't do it without a commitment from Gov.-elect Snyder to stay the course that got us here. Tell him to continue existing advanced battery incentives and to invest in infrastructure, too.

For Michigan to be the leader, the state'll have to do a lot of work, what with California's long head start. There's a chance the Mitten State can do it, but only if plug-in vehicles become a truly bipartisan issue. Given what we've seen on Fox recently, this could be a tough sell.

[Source: Progress Michigan]

PROGRESS MICHIGAN EMAIL

The first Chevy Volts are parked in neighborhood driveways. One day, they'll be as omnipresent as other landmark American cars. But at this moment, we are witnessing the most exciting moment in recent American automotive history: the pioneering hybrid-electric car that stands to revolutionize what we drive, and rebuild our economy at the same time.

Advanced batteries power the Volt, and they power Michigan's economy. They're made here, by Michiganders, because of the strategic investments made by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Now the industry is booming, and it's more important than ever for Gov.-elect Rick Snyder to continue to support investment in advanced battery manufacturing.

Tell Rick Snyder to support Michigan workers, and Michigan manufacturing, by continuing advanced battery incentives and strategic infrastructure investments!

Support advanced battery incentives!

Snyder has said he supports continuing the investment in advanced battery technology that spurred job growth and paved the way for the Volt's success. Now, we need him to make good on that promise and also commit to making strategic infrastructure investments in things like charging stations to make Michigan the national leader in electric vehicles!

Michigan's ready to lead, but we can't do it without a commitment from Gov.-elect Snyder to stay the course that got us here. Tell him to continue existing advanced battery incentives and to invest in infrastructure, too.