Bosses of GM, Ford and Chrysler Take Detroit Position to President Bush

Washington DC November 13, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that CEOs from GM, Ford and Chrysler will meet with President Bush Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. EST at the White House, a long-awaited discussion that will drudge up three very contentious issues: free trade, alternative energy research and development, and the rising cost of health care, reports the Detroit Free Press.

According to General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, the meeting should "enhance the president's understanding of the importance of the domestic auto industry to the economic health of the United States," he said. "Foreign automakers that build cars in the United States help the economy, "but it's not the same as a fully integrated American auto company that retains the intellectual property in the United States, has primarily American shareholders," he said, so "the wealth gets reinvested in the U.S."

Ford CEO Alan Mulally said Friday of the meeting with Bush: "What I'm looking forward to is just sharing with him the state of our industry and also talking about competitiveness going forward."

There are no expectation that any firm commitments will result from Tuesday's 45-minute session, but prominent members of Michigan's Congressional delegation hope their message hits home: "I hope this meeting produces some evidence that this administration finally understands the needs of the American auto industry to be treated fairly in the world marketplace," said U.S. Rep. John Dingell, in line to reclaim the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Sen. Carl Levin, expected to chair the House Ways and Means subcommittee on trade, added: "We need a government that's a partner with the auto industry and manufacturing sector. Our companies do not compete with foreign companies. They compete with foreign governments."