President Obama seeks opportunities to help Detroit Three

President Obama will travel Thursday to Holland, Mich., near Grand Rapids to tour the Johnson Controls Inc. advanced battery facility.

While at Johnson Controls, the president will highlight the key role innovative technologies will play in helping the Detroit Three automakers and at least 10 foreign car companies achieve his recommended fuel-economy standards.

Thirteen companies were represented when the president outlined plans to require cars sold in the U.S. between 2017 and 2025 to deliver around 55 mpg.

Companies buying into President Obama's plan include Ford Motor Co., General Motors, Chrysler, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar / Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volvo. Together these companies account for more than 90% of all vehicles sold in America. Volkswagen told TN reporter Richard Gray that the German carmaker does not support the program.

President Obama also wants to establish U.S. leadership in advanced vehicle manufacturing, spur economic growth and create high-quality domestic jobs in cutting-edge industries across America.

The arrival and departure of Air Force One in Grand Rapids are open to media only and will be closed to the public, according to a statement released by the White House on Monday. The president’s tour at Johnson Controls Inc. is pooled press only and the president’s remarks are open to pre-credentialed media, but closed to the public.

You can reach TN's Hawke Fracassa at hawkefracassa@aol.com.

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