Obama Behind the Wheel of the Chevy Volt
His press secretary jokes that it better have an airbag, but the image of President Barack Obama behind the wheel of the Chevy Volt plug-in electric vehicle is a strong illustration of his ties to bailing out the auto industry last year.
“Some of you saw me drive the Volt about 12 inches; they don’t let me drive much these days,” Obama said. Jokes aside, reporters from the president’s visit to GM and Chrysler plants in Michigan today relayed the events as inspirational for the workers in attendance. One GM executive was even said to be openly emotional when talking about his company being saved from possible liquidation. The official GMBlogs Twitter account posted, “#POTUS has left the building. Amazing speech supporting the auto industry. Workers all fired up! Thanks Obama! #GM”
Besides the politics at play, there was some news about the Volt today. GM says it has increased its production plans for the extended-range plug-in vehicle by 50%, moving the number of units for 2012 from 30,000 to 45,000.
President Obama drives Chevy Volt and Touts Job Gains (USA Today)
