U.S puts in a $285-million order for Detroit-made vehicles

[OhioChick]

Source: Detriot Free Press

April 9, 2009

WASHINGTON – Detroit’s automakers got a pretty big order for vehicles on the way – from the Obama White House.

President Barack Obama said today the General Services Administration is accelerating its purchase of new cars for the government fleet by spending $285 million on stimulus money on about 17,600 vehicles.

The purchases will be made for the government fleet before June 1 and will come under existing contracts with General Motors, Chrysler and Ford.

Last week, Obama instructed his administration to speed up the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles to increase demand for Detroit’s automakers, which have been suffering from a sharp downturn. According to the White House the buy includes the purhcase of 2,500 hybrid sedans that will be ordered by April 15. It is the largest one-time purchase of hybrid vehicles by the federal government fleet in history.

“The problems that caused this economic crisis weren’t created in a day, and it will take time and hard work to get our economy back on track,” Obama said in a statement. “But I am 100% committed to a strong American auto industry, and we will stand with America’s auto workers and their families during these difficult times.”

President Obama’s director of recovery for auto communities and workers, Ed Montgomery, visited Cleveland today and discussed the accelerated fleet purchase.



Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20090409/BUSINESS01/90409089

[sarcasmo]

1. Finally some good news for this State.

[Barack_America]

2. That's so smart. This helps the Big 3 and saves the govt. money long-term...

...in gas expenditures.

[Zenlitened]

3. Fifth rec.

Nice!

[pinto]

4. K & R

:kick:

[xchrom]

5. recommend

[monmouth]

6. The man knows what he's doing....n/t

[maddezmom]

7. Great News!

[shadowknows69]

8. Hrm...Let's do the math. 83 Billion for war and 285 million for Detroit

Yeah, we're making progress. :eyes: Like snails fucking.

[Romulox]

12. $3 trillion for the bankers in NYC, London, $285M for Detroit

was the first thought I had.

[NeoConsSuck]

18. Point made.

But after the shenanigans with Paulson and Geitner, I'll applaud any money going to help the middle class, especially in Michigan.

[Seldona]

9. I imagine it will have a good impact on the industry, certainly.

But will it solve the long-term solvency issues the big 3 have? I am not being critical. I simply know next to nothing of the industry and wonder if this is a good step toward a long-term fix or a band-aid.

[Auggie]

10. Bingo

It certainly helps the big three short-term. As does road and bridge building projects. But I'm waiting for the long-term manufacturing solutions.

[BootinUp]

17. Its a short term fix so there is time for the long term fixes, :)

[Deja Q]

21. Precisely.

:thumbsup:

[Seldona]

24. It certainly keeps people working.

Not to mention the government will actually hold something of value out it, unlike some other deals we could mention.

Thanks for the info. Makes good sense.

[robinlynne]

11. That is the way to do it!!!!!!!!!!!! to hell with bailouts.

[navarth]

13. a slight mispelling of my city's name there, but thanks for the good news

That really is helpful....nice to hear.

Detriot Free Press? nope sir.

[tomm2thumbs]

14. good news, but PLEASE none of those overpriced Segway things

Keep it simple - and make that money go a long way!

[BootinUp]

15. He's making all the right* moves

*best moves possible in the world of politics.

[redqueen]

16. I'm sorry...

but I frickin love this guy.

[Bette Noir]

19. That's the best possible stimulus. Good on Barack.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[spoony]

22. Great news, thank you Obama

Others have made good points about the disparity between war/banks v. Detroit, but this is still good news.

[corruptmewithpower]

23. 76% say GM, Chrysler should go bankrupt.

(CNN) – Three-quarters of all Americans think that the federal government should let General Motors or Chrysler go bankrupt

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/09/poll-let-carmakers-go-bankrupt-say-americans/