Big Three may make car pool to D.C.

November 25, 2008

DETROIT - After being skewered by Congress and lampooned on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," the CEOs of Detroit's three automakers may end up making their return trip to Washington by car as they seek a federal bailout.

The Detroit area's auto industry, whose livelihood depends on the health of Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp., spent the weekend e-mailing and discussing how to set up a car caravan to seek help from Congress.

What's for certain is GM CEO Rick Wagoner won't be going to Washington by corporate jet, although the company's policy is not to comment on executive travel plans for security reasons, said spokesman Tony Cervone. A Chrysler spokeswoman wouldn't comment on CEO Bob Nardelli's travel plans, and a Ford spokesman said no decision has been made on how CEO Alan Mulally will go if summoned to Washington.

The car-pool idea came out of meetings on Friday at Dura Automotive Systems Inc., an auto parts maker in suburban Rochester Hills. President and CEO Tim Leuliette said that during the weekend they contacted the automakers, suppliers, dealership groups, and the United Auto Workers union and the movement began building.

The movement comes after last week's disastrous hearings in front of two congressional committees.

ASSOCIATED PRESS