Obama’s auto task force to test drive Volt prototype today

Posted: Mar 09, 2009
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As we told you last week, President Barack Obama’s auto task force will be headed to Detroit today to meet with executives from General Motors and Chrysler. Advisers Steve Rattner and Ronald Bloom will visit GM’s technical center in Warren and will also pay a visit to Chrysler’s truck assembly plant. They will also hold a meeting with UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.

According to White House officials, the trip will also include a trip to GM’s test lab where the Volt is being developed. GM has also set up a test drive in the Volt prototype hoping to impress the auto task force. We wonder if Chrysler will setup a test drive of their 200C EV.

So far the advisers have spent more than two weeks (allegedly working day and night) holding meetings with industry executives and analysts.

GM and Chrysler are seeking up to $21 billion in additional aid. The two have already received a total of $17 billion in government loans. On March 31, President Barack Obama will decide to approve or reject restructuring plans that the two companies submitted in February.

Source: Detroit News


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  • Bobmarley

    “YAY!!! Field trip guys!!!”

    …Lets just PRETEND GM nets 25% ($10k) with each Volt sold, at a price of $40k. With a projected 10,000 Volts produced in its first year (starting in late 2010) they would only make $100 million or $0.1 billion.

    …what are they trying to achieve here? Someone needs to get a good slap in the head!!!

  • Pat

    How about public test-drives….since we're the ones paying the money. damn we always get robbed

  • Ivan Gutierrez

    Just imagine how much their loosing when you factor in marketing, research and development, incentives (if they offer any). Anyways I think GM looses money for every car they sell save for expensive large SUVs which for obvious reasons are not selling well right now. I once read that Porsche makes an astounding 28K per vehicle sold.

  • zermatt

    Along with the test ride, the Washingtonians will get commemorative T shirts that reads: “I Drove The Vapor”.

    What will a test drive and a tour of a hybrid pick up truck plant prove?

    This trip reminds me of past visits I have had some companies that wanted to do business with my company. Golf, long off site lunches, sailing excursions, ball games or any other types of diversions that will shorten the time needed to get to the bottom of a proposal were proposed.I have always been able to say no thank you so that I can get to the substance, but it appears that the Washingtonians are cool with wasting the taxpayers money.

    I hope the T shirts are colorful.

  • Bobmarley

    their green and white Tie-dye

  • Bobmarley

    ya, i think i actually read that on egm that porsche had the highest profit margins in the industry

  • GMfan87

    haha….I bet they'd rather be off playing golf or at a ballg game as opposed to touring an assembly plant

  • Bobmarley

    their green and white Tie-dye

  • Bobmarley

    ya, i think i actually read that on egm that porsche had the highest profit margins in the industry

  • GMfan87

    haha….I bet they'd rather be off playing golf or at a ballg game as opposed to touring an assembly plant

  • click down

    If the banks go under the worldwide economy will be destroyed. If Chrysler goes under…well, it won't be as bad as if AIG and Citi go under. GM just needs to have court protection to shutter failing brands and re-write contracts
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