In Boost for Detroit, Obama to Buy Fuel-Efficient Fleet (17,600 of 'em!) for Uncle Sam

[babylonsister]

In Boost for Detroit, Obama to Buy Fuel-Efficient Fleet for Uncle Sam

By Kendra Marr
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 10, 2009; Page A12


President Obama yesterday announced plans to buy 17,600 American-made, fuel-efficient cars and hybrids for the government fleet, the White House's latest gambit to steer aid to the nation's beleaguered automakers.

The move came in a week when the administration accelerated efforts to revive an industry suffering it lowest sales in decades. Earlier this week Obama dispatched a team of 15 finance experts to Detroit to work with General Motors and Chrysler on restructuring efforts. On Wednesday, the Treasury Department began to release $5 billion in aid to parts suppliers. And yesterday Ed Montgomery, the president's new adviser on auto communities and workers, visited Ohio to discuss what assistance might be needed there.

By June 1, the government plans to spend $285 million in stimulus funds to buy fuel-efficient vehicles from General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. The purchase is slated to include 2,500 hybrid sedans, the largest one-time purchase of hybrid vehicles to date for the federal fleet.

"This is only a first step, but I will continue to ensure that we are working to support the American auto industry during this difficult period of restructuring," Obama said in a statement.

Each vehicle must have a better fuel economy rating than the one it replaces. The government aims to boost the new fleet's overall fuel efficiency at least 10 percent.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/09/AR2009040904319.html

[ClarkUSA]

1. Another great example of how President Obama is firing on all cylinders...

:D

[drm604]

2. Hey, that was my idea!

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/drm604/39

[blm]

3. It was part of Kerry's plan for Jan 2005, too. Glad to see Obama adopting it.

.

[drm604]

5. I don't think Kerry was thinking about an economic stimulus for the auto industry in 2005.

He was probably just thinking about the Government becoming more fuel efficient.

[blm]

8. He was ahead of the rest on credit and mortgage crisis, adding a plank to 04 platform specifically

to address what he saw as a problem at the time. The credit crisis has plenty to do with what followed for the auto industry as well as with housing.

Corp newsmedia had no interest in discussing that addition to the Dem platform, did they?

[babylonsister]

6. OK then. Props to you, too!

:fistbump:

[BurtWorm]

4. Brilliant!

:applause:

[OhioChick]

7. Good to hear.

K&R

[Canuckistanian]

9. Good. Although 10% is not nearly as good as it should be

But then again, it's all the carmakers can offer right now.

It's time for some radically new thinking. I'm glad that Obama is starting to lead by example.

[Qutzupalotl]

10. Good. Does anybody know what happens to the old ones?

Donated to charity, maybe? :shrug:

[GoCubsGo]

11. They get auctioned off.

That's pretty much what happens to much government property that is no longer used, save for sensitive stuff like military hardware. You, too, can have a lovely Forest Service green truck if you so desire.

[pnorman]

12. I recall when Nixon had the government buy all those grapes

to help break the UFW grape boycott in California!

pnorman