According to Automotive News, GM wasted no time in congratulation Barack Obama on his election victory and to remind him that he has made promises to help the auto industry and to make it one of his first priorities when he takes office. GM said that it “welcomes President-elect Obama’s pledge to support our nation’s domestic auto industry in its ongoing efforts to transform its business and develop new technologies.” 

“This support comes at an especially critical time as our industry confronts one of the most difficult economic periods in our nation’s history, caused by the global financial crisis. And, this support will enable a competitive U.S. industry to contribute significantly to our nation’s economic revival, in employment, technology, energy security, and other important areas.”

In an interview with Brian William on NBC”s Nightly News last week, Obama said that he will meet with the executives of Detroit automakers immediately.

GM CEO Rick Wagoner is probably very angry this morning along with the executives at Cerberus Capital Management. It was reported Wednesday that GM and Chrysler had worked out major issues and that a final deal could come as early as before Election Day seeing that the government approves a $10 billion aid package.

Unfortunately for GM, the U.S. Treasury has declined its request for financial aid and any progress on the merger between GM and Chrysler will have to wait until after next week’s presidential election.

According to analysts, both companies need to merge in order to stop their financial crisis. GM currently has $21 billion in cash and Chrysler has $11 billion. However, analysts also agree that the total job loss as a result of a GM/Chrysler merger could be around 90,000.

Source: CNNMoney

In an interview last night with Brian William on NBC’s Nightly News, democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said that he will immediately meet with the executives of Detroit automakers, which may very soon be the Big 2 instead of the Big 3.

“My hope is if I’m elected, that I’m immediately meeting with heads of the Big Three automakers, as well with the United Auto Workers,” Obama said to Williams. “And to sit down and craft a strategy that puts us on a path for an auto industry that can compete with anybody in the world.”

Obama is pushing to double the $25 billion loan package that was recently passed by Congress in Sept., and is also calling for the Bush administration to speed up the delivery of the $25 billion.

More than a year ago, Obama was first criticized for calling out Detroit automakers for producing too many gas-guzzling SUVs instead of fuel-efficient cars.

Source: Detroit News

Earlier this morning we told you about Kelley Blue Book’s recent survey that found you can tell how someone will vote this Election season by what they drive. The results of the survey found that Obama supporters drive foreign compact cars and hybrids. McCain supporters on the other hand mainly own domestic made large-SUVs and pickups.

That got us thinking whether or not if that’s true for eGMCarTech visitors so we decided to run a poll. Of course since you don’t have to submit your email address or name so your vote will remain anonymous. No need to worry about anyone finding out who you will vote for.

Take the poll below and drop a comment in the comments section after the jump if you have something more to say.

With the Election Day just weeks away, our presidential candidates are trying to get as much exposure as they can have. And no for those of you thinking that the folks at Electronic Arts are Democrats – you’re wrong.

Above is an image of an advertisement placed by Barack Obama’s campaign in Burnout Paradise on Xbox 360. The ad directs owners of the video game to the Vote for Change website.

“Like most television, radio and print outlets, we accept advertising from credible political candidates,” says Holly Rockwood, the EA’s director of corporate communications. “These ads do not reflect the political policies of EA or the opinions of its development teams.”

Let’s just hope that the Barack Obama team was wise enough to study the demographics of Burnout Paradise’s potential owners and made sure they were old enough to vote for change.

Source: LAT

With the elections close to a month away, NEWSWEEK took a look into the candidates’ cars. Based on public vehicle-registration records, John McCain and Cindy McCain together own 13 vehicles and Barack and Michelle Obama together own one.

So what’s in McCain’s garage? According to NEWSWEEK, McCain’s daughter owns Toyota Prius, which he claims that he bought for her. His personal ride is a 2004 Cadillac CTS. Other cars in garage include a 2005 Volkswagen convertible, a 2001 Honda sedan, a 2007 Ford F-150, a 1960 Willys Jeep, a 2008 Jeep Wrangler, a 2000 Lincoln, a 2001 GMC SUV and three 200 NEV GEM electric-cars. 11 out of the 12 vehicles are owned registered under Cindy McCain’s name.

Obama and Michelle sold their HEMI powered Chrysler 300C in return for a Ford Escape Hybrid SUV last year – just in time for elections.

Source: Newsweek

Obama has proposed to tap into the strategic oil reserve to help lower current gas-prices and called McCain a tool of big oil companies as rising energy cost becomes a hot debut in the U.S. presidential campaign. Obama said he is calling for a $7,000 tax credit to help consumers purchase more fuel-efficient cars.

The Democratic nominee is setting a goal of 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on U.S. roads by 2015 and is proposing a requirement that calls for 10 percent of U.S. energy to come from renewable sources by the end of his 1st presidential term.

Obama is proposing to release 70 million barrels of light oil from the emergency U.S. stockpile to help bring down fuel-prices. He said the the light oil could later be replaced with heavier crude oil after a quick relief.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)