GM

New waiver clears the way for Oregon and other states to implement tailpipe emission standards

June 30, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today, the Environmental Protection Agency issued California a waiver to implement its clean tailpipe standard – a victory for California, Oregon and the other states that have also adopted stronger tailpipe emissions standards.

“I applaud President Obama and Secretary Jackson for their leadership in realigning the federal government’s priorities around combating global warming and doing so in a spirit of cooperation with the states rather than conflict. I also applaud California for paving the way for states to adopt the clean tailpipe standards.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (June 30, 2009) — Today's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcement granting California and 13 other states a waiver under the Clean Air Act to implement strong clean car standards demonstrates that "with regard to the waiver, science is back in the driver's seat", said Brendan Bell, Washington representative for the Union of Concerned Scientists' (UCS) Clean Vehicles Program.

"Along with last Friday's climate victory in the House, this is another sign that the federal government is finally taking action on global warming."    » read more »

June 30, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Automakers responded to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) granting of California's request to set their own greenhouse gas/fuel economy standards by reaffirming their support for the single, national program announced last month by President Obama.

"President Obama’s decision last month to create a single national program for greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy standards moves us toward a policy that ensures that consumers in all 50 states have access to highly fuel-efficient vehicles at an affordable price," said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "We are hopeful the granting of this waiver will not undermine the enormous efforts put forth to create the national program."    » read more »

2009-06-30 -- The EPA's granting of California's emissions waiver is not unexpected. The EPA's decision should not diminish the collective commitment and effort on the part of automakers, California, federal regulators and environmental interests to follow President Obama's direction toward developing a single, harmonized national standard that improves fuel economy and reduces vehicle emissions.

"We believe President Obama's national standard approach is a better way for the country and industry. A single, harmonized national standard will benefit consumers across America by putting cleaner, more efficient vehicles on the road quicker and more affordably -- for all. It is a goal that we fully support and which we've made a central part of our reinvention plans to create a new GM.    » read more »

GM Statement Regarding GM's Ownership Stake in NUMMI

2009-06-29 -- Statement of Troy Clarke, president, GM North America:

"As part of its long-term viability plan, General Motors has decided that its ownership stake in the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI) joint venture with Toyota will not be a part of the 'New GM’.

"After extensive analysis, GM and Toyota could not reach an agreement on a future product plan that made sense for all parties. Accordingly, NUMMI will end production of vehicles for GM in August, and there are no future GM vehicles planned for the joint venture at this time.    » read more »

UAW, state & local government support, and GM’s efficient, flexible manufacturing operations make competitive, profitable small car in U.S. possible

2009-06-26 -- DETROIT -- General Motors selected its assembly plant in Orion Township, Mich. and stamping facility in Pontiac, Mich., to build its future small car, which will add to the automaker’s growing portfolio of U.S.-built, highly fuel-efficient cars, including the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt. Today’s announcement will restore approximately 1,400 jobs in total -- 1,200 at Orion Assembly and 200 at Pontiac Metal Center, Building # 14.

This decision is dependent on the successful outcome of ongoing economic incentive negotiations between GM and state and local government officials.    » read more »

PERRYSBURG, OH – As part of the administration’s commitment to support manufacturing communities and workers, Vice President Biden today chaired the fifth meeting of the White House Task Force on Middle Class Families, called "Promoting American Manufacturing in the 21st Century."

The Vice President, who was joined by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Director of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers Ed Montgomery, discussed new initiatives to prepare the manufacturing economy for the 21st century at Willard & Kelsey Solar Group in Perrysburg.

During the meeting, the Vice President also announced an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers.    » read more »

Obama administration awards first three auto loans for advanced technologies to Ford Motor Company, Nissan Motors and Tesla Motors

June 23, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today, the Obama Administration announced $8 billion in conditional loan commitments for the development of innovative, advanced vehicle technologies that will create thousands of green jobs while helping reduce the nation’s dangerous dependence on foreign oil.    » read more »

Stabenow statement on President Obama’s Executive Order to create White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding President Obama’s executive order to create a White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers.

“Today’s announcement further demonstrates the Obama Administration’s commitment to helping communities that are most affected by restructuring in our automotive industry. With a new White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers in place, Dr. Montgomery and his team will have the resources they need to provide additional federal support to workers and families who need it most.    » read more »

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The Delaware congressional delegation, Sens. Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman (both D-Del.) and Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.), issued the following statement in response to Vice President Joe Biden’s announcement today of an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers and naming Ed Montgomery as the executive director of recovery for auto communities and workers.

The goal of this new inter-agency council is to help communities and workers hit hardest by auto plant closings.    » read more »

New Engine Joins Two V-6s for an All-Direct Injection Lineup

2009-06-22 -- DETROIT – A fuel-efficient, direct injected Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine will be the third engine offered in the 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan. Backed by a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission, the new powertrain combination is expected to deliver fuel economy of 30 mpg highway and 20 mpg city*– making LaCrosse one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment.    » read more »

Legislation part of Final Supplemental Appropriations of 2009, Will be sent to President for his Signature

June 18, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today praised Senate passage of “Cash for Clunkers” legislation, which was part of the final Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009. Once signed into law, the program will allow consumers to trade in older, dirtier vehicles in exchange for a voucher of up to $4,500 to help pay for the purchase or qualified lease of a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle.

This program mirrors Senator Stabenow’s Drive America Forward legislation, which she introduced last month.    » read more »

Congress Officially Passed National "Cash for Clunkers Plan" Giving NY Drivers $4,500 Cash if they Swap Old, Inefficient Cars for Newer, Fuel Efficient Models

June 19, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer is today calling on all New Yorkers to take advantage of the “Cash for Clunkers” program approved by the Senate last night. The program allows Upstate New York drivers to trade in their older, less fuel efficient cars, trucks and SUVs for more fuel efficient vehicles.    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC – All 17 Members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation – 15 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and two United States Senators – sent the following letter to Ron Bloom and Steven Rattner, members of President Obama’s Auto Task Force, asking them to consider a modification to the existing Auto Supplier Support Program for some short-term relief to their cash crunch. Below is the letter from the members:

June 18, 2009

Mr. Ron Bloom
Counselor to the Secretary
Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220

Mr. Steven Rattner
Counselor to the Secretary
Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220

Dear Mr. Bloom and Mr. Rattner,    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold took the case of the Wisconsin auto industry directly to President Obama yesterday, telling him how important the industry is to the state. Feingold spoke with President Obama by phone and had another conversation with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel yesterday.

During both conversations, Feingold stressed the important role the auto industry has played in Wisconsin for generations, and the impact losing the auto industry would have on Wisconsin's economy and employment situation.    » read more »