Ford CEO Mulally Will Make Bailout Trip To D.C. In A Car

Politico:

When the Big Three automakers come back to Washington for hearings later this week on the proposed auto bailout, Ford CEO Alan Mulally will be making the more than eight-hour trip from Detroit to the Capitol by car, the company said today. The company won't say yet, however, what kind of car Mulally will take (a Ford F-150 pickup truck or a Ford Focus compact car?), whether he will be behind the wheel, or when he will arrive: "It depends on traffic," says a spokesperson.

The other automakers, General Motors and Chrysler, haven't yet said what the plans are for their top executives, but Ford's announcement will make it nearly impossible for them to fly to Washington without facing blistering criticism. A General Motors official said GM CEO Rick Wagoner will definitely not be using the company's airplane, but did not offer an alternative transportation plan, whether commercial jet, train, or car. The Big Three face Senate hearings Thursday and House hearings on Friday to discuss the details of their plans for the bailout money, which all three companies are expected to release tomorrow.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[autobailout]

As a lifelong democrat, I am appalled by my elected reps trying to get these bailouts through. The banks didn't deserve it and the auto industry absolutely doesn't deserve it. Everyone is hurting. I am a small business owner on the UWS of Manhattan and I am eating egg salad from a plastic container every day. These auto workers make $56 an hour and their cost of living is low. It's like making $200 on one of the coasts. Our lawmakers need to start thinking of the people who elect them, not special interests.

Protest the bailout at http://www.autoindustrybailout.com/petition/

Enough with the handouts unless you're going to give them to everyone and not just select groups of people.

[NWBrunette]

They should make him ride in a small trailer pulled by a Prius.

[KCFreedom]

Was there not a Ford Trimotor available?

Make 'em hitchhike. Perhaps they could meet some real people on the way.

[darthdarcy]

Yes a Mercedes Benz...!

[crazylikeafox]

Let's see if the other two drive or fly.

This is the only funny news of this whole tragedy.

[kstuff]

I can't believe that you guys are actually complaining about the fact that he's driving a Ford to the event. He's the CEO of a car company. You don't like him flying. You don't like him driving. What do you want him to do? Ride a horse into town? My God people.

[NWBrunette]

The economy stinks, people are losing their jobs, health care is unaffordable, and rich CEOs are begging for taxpayer dollars. Let people have a little fun. The bashing couldn't be happening to a more deserving guy.

[sklfcats]

Poor baby..

[MoxieGurl]

Now you're using your brain. Show up in a caravan of Ford Escape Hybrids. Since everyone is looking they might as well advertise.

[readmewell22]

Make them agree to end the $300Million Dollar Outrageous, Overpaid Corporate Salaries:
The HUGE CORPORATE SALARIES, like the HUGE OBSOLETE CARS ...need to be reduced and the jobs kept Here in the USA. If those two simple things are reflected immediately, the $25BILL check will be signed. Otherwise, they can walk back to Michigan.
Make no mistake, we love them but they have got to learn to do better!!! CHANGE!

[readmewell22]

Make them agree to end the $300Million Dollar Outrageous, Overpaid Corporate Salaries:
The HUGE CORPORATE SALARIES, like the HUGE OBSOLETE CARS ...need to be reduced and the jobs kept Here in the USA. If those two simple things are reflected immediately, the $25BILL check will be signed. Otherwise, they can walk back to Michigan.

[readmewell22]

They should be more focused on their overall of their industry. This means nothing; that they want to arrive in cars instead of three separate jets. What matters is:
1) Are they going to CUT THEIR ENORMOUS AND OUTRAGEOUS $100MILLION DOLLAR SALARIES?
2) Are the cars going to be smaller, more fuel efficient and 21st century materialized?
3) Are the jobs going to stay in the US, and is there a plan for more US jobs and expansion.
4) Are the cars going to be better built than and competitive with other manufactures like Honda?

If those elements aren't there on paper, it shouldn't matter if they walked to Washington.
They have to change, from Hummers' and huge cars and SUV's to provide better built compact
cars which can use alternative fuels, and become competitive in the 21st market.
That should be their game plan, otherwise, they might be out of the game!

[ferrarimanf355]

Hopefully, he comes in driving a 2010 Mustang to make the statement that there needs to be some excitement in the fold. KillTheMessenger, Toyota has been devoid of passion since they killed the Supra in 1998. Don't get me started on Scion...

[spinns17]

are we paying for the gas

[crazylikeafox]

No, it ok you're broke already from the billions you gave to the banks.

Exxon will pitch in for the gas.

[voter42]

Is he driving all the way from Detroit? Or from Dulles or National Airports?

[OpusIsUnderTheBed]

Okay, now I'm annoyed. Leaving the corporate jet behind. Okay, so you're flying commercial, right? No? Driving a car? Because you make cars? Another stupid stunt. Just walk all the way, you staggeringly rich idiots.

[BearsLeft]

He should take a Ford Escape Hybrid, 33 MPG. Ford is way ahead of GM and Chrysler on building better, smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. They just have to swear off that Big SUV Crack.

[mjb5406]

Only because they are part owner of Mazda and utilize their design engineers (for example, the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute are the same vehicle; the Focus and Mazda 3 share many of the same designs). Ford, I think, will be so far ahead of GM and Chrysler in designing smaller cars because of this.