And a report on the Big 3's return to Congress, this time driving hybrid vehicles (and yep, Ford CEO Alan Mulally used an Escape Hybrid):
Detroit's Symbolic Ride to Congress, in a Hybrid
Lawmakers blasted the CEOs of the Big Three automakers last month for bringing their tin cups to Washington in corporate jets. This time around, they seem to have learned a lesson in the value of political symbolism (oh, around $25 billion). So for this trip to Capitol Hill, the Ford and GM CEOs traveled in hybrid cars, no doubt with their tin cups safely nestled in the cupholders too.
So what are we taxpayers (and car buyers) to make of this? Clearly, in not rejecting a bailout immediately, Congress is telling us that they'll help Detroit if the Motor City helps them too. Their voters want environmentally friendly cars; they want to see innovation and forward planning. In exchange, maybe Detroit gets access to federal funding.
But lawmakers would be well advised to examine the symbolism of the specific vehicle models chosen by the CEOs for their journey.
Alan Mulally Rides a Ford Escape Hybrid
Mulally, Ford's top executive, made the trip in a Ford Escape Hybrid-introduced in 2004 as the first hybrid gas-electric vehicle made by an American car company. With city fuel economy of 34 mpg, the Ford Escape remains the most fuel-efficient SUV available today. When Mulally steps out of the greenest SUV available today- a vehicle that offers flexibility, sure-footedness, segment-leading fuel efficiency, and the best in advanced hybrid technology-lawmakers should see a CEO ready to lead his company and the American auto industry in a better direction.
Rick Wagoner Takes a Chevy Malibu Hybrid
Wagoner, GM's CEO, traveled in a Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. GM has sold fewer than 3,000 Chevy Malibu Hybrids since the model's introduction in January 2008. The low production numbers-and the fact that the 2008 Malibu Hybrid ekes out a negligible fuel economy improvement compared to the conventional Malibu-symbolizes GM's half-hearted attempts at making hybrids under Wagoner's watch. Now, as the company makes big promises to Congress, and moves on to its next green pet-project-the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, which is not yet available-lawmakers should wonder if GM's U-turn away from supersized vehicles and toward green technology is more show than substance.
Robert Nardelli's Ride: Canceled Hemi-Hybrid
Nardelli, chief executive of Chrysler, was last to announce his wheels to DC. Chrysler also has hybrids-the Dodge Durango Hybrid and Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, a pair of Hemi-engine V8 hybrids that don't quite manage an average of 20 mpg. These monster hybrids were put into production this fall, but will go out of production this month when Chrysler shutters its Newark, Del., assembly plant. That's right. Chrysler's only hybrids will arrive in showrooms for the first time only weeks before they die for good. Chrysler is holding on by a thread, and seeks taxpayer money to stabilize the company until it can be merged with or sold to another automaker. The fact that Nardelli might not have a viable Chrysler hybrid to drive speaks volumes about the company's ability to make good on federal support.
Detroit's Symbolic Ride to Congress, in a Hybrid
Lawmakers blasted the CEOs of the Big Three automakers last month for bringing their tin cups to Washington in corporate jets. This time around, they seem to have learned a lesson in the value of political symbolism (oh, around $25 billion). So for this trip to Capitol Hill, the Ford and GM CEOs traveled in hybrid cars, no doubt with their tin cups safely nestled in the cupholders too.
So what are we taxpayers (and car buyers) to make of this? Clearly, in not rejecting a bailout immediately, Congress is telling us that they'll help Detroit if the Motor City helps them too. Their voters want environmentally friendly cars; they want to see innovation and forward planning. In exchange, maybe Detroit gets access to federal funding.
But lawmakers would be well advised to examine the symbolism of the specific vehicle models chosen by the CEOs for their journey.
Alan Mulally Rides a Ford Escape Hybrid
Mulally, Ford's top executive, made the trip in a Ford Escape Hybrid-introduced in 2004 as the first hybrid gas-electric vehicle made by an American car company. With city fuel economy of 34 mpg, the Ford Escape remains the most fuel-efficient SUV available today. When Mulally steps out of the greenest SUV available today- a vehicle that offers flexibility, sure-footedness, segment-leading fuel efficiency, and the best in advanced hybrid technology-lawmakers should see a CEO ready to lead his company and the American auto industry in a better direction.
Rick Wagoner Takes a Chevy Malibu Hybrid
Wagoner, GM's CEO, traveled in a Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. GM has sold fewer than 3,000 Chevy Malibu Hybrids since the model's introduction in January 2008. The low production numbers-and the fact that the 2008 Malibu Hybrid ekes out a negligible fuel economy improvement compared to the conventional Malibu-symbolizes GM's half-hearted attempts at making hybrids under Wagoner's watch. Now, as the company makes big promises to Congress, and moves on to its next green pet-project-the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, which is not yet available-lawmakers should wonder if GM's U-turn away from supersized vehicles and toward green technology is more show than substance.
Robert Nardelli's Ride: Canceled Hemi-Hybrid
Nardelli, chief executive of Chrysler, was last to announce his wheels to DC. Chrysler also has hybrids-the Dodge Durango Hybrid and Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, a pair of Hemi-engine V8 hybrids that don't quite manage an average of 20 mpg. These monster hybrids were put into production this fall, but will go out of production this month when Chrysler shutters its Newark, Del., assembly plant. That's right. Chrysler's only hybrids will arrive in showrooms for the first time only weeks before they die for good. Chrysler is holding on by a thread, and seeks taxpayer money to stabilize the company until it can be merged with or sold to another automaker. The fact that Nardelli might not have a viable Chrysler hybrid to drive speaks volumes about the company's ability to make good on federal support.
