- President Obama plans to visit assembly plants in Detroit run by Chrysler and GM on Friday.
- On August 5, he will make a stop at a Ford plant in Chicago where the 2011 Explorer will be built.
- It is estimated that the U.S. government spent $62 billion to bail out Chrysler and GM.
WASHINGTON — President Obama will get his second photo op with the 2011 Chevrolet Volt on Friday as he makes a trek through several auto plants to showcase the industry's return to profitability after government-led bailouts of GM and Chrysler, according to a White House statement.
Obama will tour Chrysler's Jefferson North Jeep plant, which is building the redesigned 2011 Grand Cherokee and GM's Hamtramck assembly facility, where the automaker is readying the launch of the Volt. On August 5, Obama is scheduled to visit the Ford plant in Chicago that builds the Taurus and will soon make the redesigned Explorer.
"Just over a year after President Obama made tough decisions to save Chrysler and GM, these companies are returning to profitability, hiring workers and keeping plants open," said the White House in a statement on Friday. "And because of the steps the Administration and Congress have taken with Cash for Clunkers and the Recovery Act, the industry overall is strengthening."
It is estimated that the U.S. government spent $62 billion to bail out Chrysler and GM, a move that is still seen as unpopular in some quarters. Obama and his administration have been pushing electric vehicles this summer in a massive offensive aimed at clean-energy transportation. Obama was photographed recently getting in and out of the Volt during a mid-July visit to a battery plant in Michigan that supplies components for the Volt.
Inside Line says: Things must be improving in the domestic auto industry if the president's PR handlers are hustling to put him in front the Volt, the Grand Cherokee and the Explorer. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
rodger_victor says:
10:32 PM, 07/26/2010
Finally a US president that supports American Car companies. Instead of ones trying to ruin them. Thank God that import loving McCain didnt win. He would gleefully be visiting the food lines. Of course McCain would try and out source that work too to Asia.
tbone85 says:
09:32 PM, 07/26/2010
"This story is exactly why I will never, EVER buy a GM product again....And I've owned several."
I, on the other hand, am glad that there is still an option to buy a GM product--and I've not owned one yet.
xxchevyguyxx says:
02:27 PM, 07/26/2010
@alman08
Just cause theres a certain few in this country who are more worried about the "Oil spill" in the gulf doesnt mean people have to stop having fun.
jeepsrt says:
02:14 PM, 07/26/2010
Is he going there before or after he goes on The View talk show on Thursday?
atenza94546 says:
01:54 PM, 07/26/2010
Give him a break he signed and extended those unemplyoed GM worker's checks!!!
alman08 says:
01:40 PM, 07/26/2010
LMAO... this guy is more concerned about the Volt than that oil leak in the gulf.
smithncustom says:
01:25 PM, 07/26/2010
This story is exactly why I will never, EVER buy a GM product again....And I've owned several.