Bailout Watch 240: Rick And Alan Not Getting On The Bus

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The planned cavalcade of chrome fuel-efficient American vehicles from Detroit to DC is “a great idea,” according to GM spokesfolks, but neither the General nor Ford will officially participate in the stunt. Suppliers, dealers and the UAW will make up the bulk of the spectacle, although there’s still a chance that Chrysler’s Bob Nardelli could join in the fun. “The whole grassroots caravan to Washington, D.C., effort we think is a great idea,” said GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson. “It’s just not something we are in a position to sponsor or manage.” You know, like everything else. “As for our mode of transport, it can be safely assumed it will not be by company plane,” Wilkinson said. “For security reasons, we don’t normally comment on transportation of our senior executives. As the date for the hearings gets close, we may provide more details.” And we’ll be waiting with bated breath. The march on Washington is being organized by Dura CEO and Chairman Tim Leuliette, although the Freep gives a hat tip to Automotive News [sub] scribe Jason Vines for kinda, sorta coming up with the idea in a column published last Friday. PR man Vines’ advice? Organize the event on the internet and “arm everyone with a short list of facts so they can speak intelligently on camera, as too-often-lazy TV journalists like to find the fattest, dumbest protesters and get them to say something stupid or offensive on camera.” Is this why Red Ink Rick is being kept away?

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Quasimondo Quasimondo on Nov 25, 2008
    If Rick flies in by jet, he will NSFW himself AND GM. The emphasis on Wagoner’s “security needs” is also doing him no service. He’s the CEO of a car company, not a head of state. At least in reality. Georges Besse
  • Stu Sidoti Stu Sidoti on Nov 25, 2008

    Oh boy....this might get gooooooood. Remember when GM posted-up those 'Make Your Own GM Ad Videos'? During that 'campaign' so many anti-GM folks were able to just slay them with tongue-in-cheek ads that made some serious fun of GM and it all turned out to be a marketing and PR disaster on a royal scale. Yeah buddy, the only thing 'grassroots' on this little caravan will be the protesters-they'll be grassroots and if they get a voice and camera-time on the national news or blogs this will be a PR nightmare that will make them wish they had flown in on gold-plated jets instead of taking some potentially HUGE lumps on the 'caravan'...This could get ugly in a hurry.

  • Gforce Gforce on Nov 26, 2008

    I can Imagine those CEO's PA's frantically trying to get in touch with Lexus for the ride to Washington.

  • Rix Rix on Nov 26, 2008

    If Wagoner flies to the hearings on Private jets, then GM will not get a dime. I expect that he will fly to Baltimore, get into the back of a Malibu hybrid, and drive the last hour into DC. Then he can claim he drove in a hybrid.

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