General Motors Take on the Presidents "twenty in Ten"

By: Lauren Woods ">

Following the President's State of the Union Address, the administration has started taking steps to attain the "Twenty in Ten" goal that was set by US President George W. Bush. It can be remembered that President Bush outlined his administration's plan to reduce the amount of gasoline consumption of the United States by twenty percent in ten years time.

Aside from allocating funds, the President also made it a point to visit facilities of car manufacturers last week in the Midwest area. General Motors' and the Ford Motor Company's facilities were visited by the President and these were the ones that are producing or developing vehicles which will support the administration's "Twenty in Ten" goal.

It can be remembered that last year, the Big Three complained that their problems are not being addressed by the President even if they have expressed their concerns for the environment and the economy. On March 26th though, the President met the heads of the Big Three - Rick Wagoner for General Motors, Alan Mulally for Ford, and Tom LaSorda for Chrysler. The meeting was centered on the enactment of energy policies which will support the goal of the administration to reduce energy dependency on other countries. The meeting also includes a demonstration of alternative fuel vehicles from the three U.S. automobile makers.

During the said demonstration, the President stated that his "Twenty in Ten" policy is being supported by the three companies. "I appreciate very much the fact that American automobile manufacturers recognize the reality of the world in which we live and are using new technologies to give the consumers different options," says the President.

He also urged the U.S. Congress to grant the request for more funding on research for newer technologies. These developmental technologies will allow the alternative fuel industry to produce bio-ethanol from sources other than corn. "It's in our national security interest that we do this, it's in economic security interest we do it, and all at the same time, it will help us be better stewards of the environment," Bush says.

In response to this, General Motors' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rick Wagoner, said that they truly support the President's initiative regarding the energy independency issue. "We very much share the President's vision, and we definitely see a path through to both lower oil consumption, lower amounts of imported oil, and fewer carbon emissions," expresses Wagoner.

The world's largest car manufacturer is already developing fuel efficient vehicles like the Chevy Volt Concept which will be unveiled at the upcoming New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). The said vehicle is more fuel efficient and eco-friendly than a vehicle equipped with a system. As far as their concern for the future, Wagoner has this to say for General Motors: "We look forward to the opportunity to work closely with the administration and Congress to increase the production of ethanol and to improve the distribution. And on the manufacturer's side, we look very, very much forward to playing our role in that process, as well."

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