CarMax Releases List of Ten Features Car Buyers...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>

GM, Ford CEOs Driving to Washington in Hybrids

GM, Ford CEOs Driving to Washington in Hybrids

By Colin Mathews's avatar Colin MathewsColin Mathews December 3rd, 2008

creative commons - flickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tspauld/2044987787/

creative commons - flickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tspauld/2044987787/

Enlarge Photo

Mulally, Wagoner, and Nardelli are doing quite the about-face since arriving in Washington via private jets a couple weeks ago to ask for billions in bailout funding.

Heeding the advice of fed-up Congressmen (most notably New York Democrat Gary Ackerman), both GM's Rick Wagoner and Ford's Alan Mulally will be arriving in Washington not via jet plane but--gasp--by the very vehicles they build! Quite a marvel, isn't it? Wagoner is said to be driving to Washington in a Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid according to the Associated Press, while Ford will ship Mulally off in a Ford Escape Hybrid, says Automotive News. To be sure, the decision to drive is a considerable and laudable sacrifice, as the journey from Detroit to Washington is estimated at nine hours. That leaves the CEOs plenty of time for reflection and preparation as they plead for their companies' very existence before Congress.

Earlier today, we reported that GM has decided to abandon its corporate jet fleet, and it seems Ford Motor Company has followed suit and is "considering selling its fleet of five corporate jets," according to Automotive News.

They also claim that Chrysler has not revealed how CEO Bob Nardelli will get to Washington, but a spokesman said he won't be arriving in a private jet. Elsewhere, Ford CEO Alan Mulally has agreed to take a $1-per-year salary, and Detroit News says GM's Wagoner has also stipulated a $1-per-year salary in the 37-page plan that outlines the company's cost-cutting strategies for survival in a brutal market.--Colin Mathews
---

Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius. creative commons - flickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tspauld/2044987787/Enlarge PhotoMulally, Wagoner, and Nardelli are doing quite the about-face since arriving in Washington via private jets a couple weeks ago to ask for billions in bailout funding. Heeding the advice of fed-up Congressmen (most notably New York Democrat Gary Ackerman), both GM's Rick Wagoner and Ford's Alan Mulally will be arriving in Washington not via jet plane but--gasp--by the very vehicles they build! Quite a marvel, isn't it? Wagoner is said to be driving to Washington in a Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid according to the Associated Press, while Ford will ship Mulally off in a Ford Escape Hybrid, says Automotive News. To be sure, the decision to drive is a considerable and laudable sacrifice, as the journey from Detroit to Washington is estimated at nine hours. That leaves the CEOs plenty of time for reflection and preparation as they plead for their companies' very existence before Congress. Earlier today, we reported that GM has decided to abandon its corporate jet fleet, and it seems Ford Motor Company has followed suit and is "considering selling its fleet of five corporate jets," according to Automotive News. They also claim that Chrysler has not revealed how CEO Bob Nardelli will get to Washington, but a spokesman said he won't be arriving in a private jet. Elsewhere, Ford CEO Alan Mulally has agreed to take a $1-per-year salary, and Detroit News says GM's Wagoner has also stipulated a $1-per-year salary in the 37-page plan that outlines the company's cost-cutting strategies for survival in a brutal market.--Colin Mathews --- Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius.

Tags: North America, Marketing, Driving, Industry, Politics, General Motors

Posted in: 2008, Chrysler, Ford, Hybrid, Green



More News


More From Around High Gear Media


Responses (12 total)

  1. 1
  2. 2

  1. By Cyrus EM #1, Posted: 12/3/2008

    As much of a joke all this has turned into, no one will be laughing when millions of new unemployed start digging into already empty coffers(estimates vary between 3 and 10 million directly employed by the automotive industry and those supporting them). If people things are bad, it's going to get worse...

  2. By Frankie Goes to Hollywood #2, Posted: 12/3/2008

    Obama is going to put them on the ranches erecting wind mills and stuff... Maybe he could send them to Crawford, Texas where it all began.

  3. By Dave #3, Posted: 12/3/2008

    This is true, even the imports dont want this to happen because they use some of of the same supplyers. And yes there will be millions unemployed. Factory workers, supplyers, dealer employees etc etc. Companys going bankrupt is never a good thing no mater what you thing about the big 3.

  4. By JKD #4, Posted: 12/3/2008

    I hope Mulally took the 2008 model of the Escape hybrid. The newly-added rear drum brakes on the $35K 2009 version are just not safe enough for the CEO. Rick, on the other hand, should not get tired of the Malibu searching for the right gear since it only has four...

  5. By ed #5, Posted: 12/3/2008

    That gave me an idea. Wagoner has been a HORRIBLE CEO, if you try to remember the magnitude of his blunders while in office, especially losing $4 BILLIONS in the failed FIAT deal! If there is anybody who needs the poor brakes, it is this clown.
    It is not clear if these bozos will actually DRIVE the vehicles. If they do, they better stop talking on the cell and driving, as Mullaly did (talked to reporters ont he cell). If they do not drive, they are really in bad shape trying to squeeze in the back seat, esp. that of the Escape, which is a really tiny small wagon on stilts and 10+ years out of date design.. Wagoner will not do much better in the rear of the Malibu, as he is 6 4", I believe.
    But to have such a great design as the Malibu Exterior and to fit it with a LOUSY 4 speed (hard to believe!!) when others are offering EIGHT Speed is the APEX of pathetic. Pitiful! A pptentially great car RUINED by bean-counting morons at GM.

  6. By ed #6, Posted: 12/3/2008

    Will the big 3 bozos also self-flaggelate while being driven to the Capitol to beg?
    It may move some bozos in Congress and get them their billions earlier..
    What a CIRCUS.
    I am afraid Ford and GM will become another Accursed AMTRAK, clueless, hugely inefficient, and on the teat of the long-suffering taxpayer FOR EVER AND EVER.

  7. By Jason #7, Posted: 12/3/2008

    Ford Motor Co., Detroit's says it's OK for now. Although it is seeking up to $9 billion in bridge financing, but says it hopes to complete turnaround without accessing the loan should Congress agree to make the funds available. But it wants the ability to access up to $9 billion in government credit. They also said that if GM fails it could take the entire domestic auto industry down with it.
    So FORD needs GM?
    http://nomedals.blogspot.com

  8. By EEE #8, Posted: 12/4/2008

    Wow. Some people are truly dumb. The Malibu can be had with either a 4spd or 6spd (std with V6). Anyway, I am not a big fan of the outrageous salary of any CEO, but I wouldn't mind the big 3's execs arriving by commercial aircraft.

  9. By Ed #9, Posted: 12/4/2008

    Nonsense, EEE. the ONLY ones who are dumb are the MORONS AT GM, that, 9 years into the 21st Century, still offer a miserable, pathetic, ancient, MPG-reducing 4-speed auto, EVEN as an OPTION!!!!!
    (but it seems it is NOT an option but the BASE tranny, and if you do NOT need the GOd damned V6, and FEW families DO need it, you cannot even have the 6-sp auto as an OPTION!
    No wonder these morons are bankrupt, after losing HOME GAMES to the Imports (BOTH the JApanese AND, even MORE< the Luxury Euros) 35 years in a ROW.
    So, EEE, you are barking up the WRONG Tree. You should go bark in front of the GM beancounters building, if it is still standing.
    THESE are the true-blue, USDA Choice, 1000% MORONS!

  10. By JKD #10, Posted: 12/4/2008

    EEE - People are dumb indeed since V6 != hybrid in question that Ricky rode in which is only available with the four speed, genius :-)

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy