Obama's team actually prefers foreign car brands

Ooops, it seems that many on President Obama's team, including those seeking to save the American automobile industry, do not actually drive vehicles from the American automobile industry.

According to a study by the Detroit News and a White House parking lot survey by Politico.com, neither do Obama's White House staffers.

Before leaving for Europe (where the Secret Service had pre-placed Obama's new armored Cadillac), the president dished out some rhetorical tough love Monday to U.S. automakers.

He canned the CEO of GM (the UAW president remained, not receiving bailout money), gave the giant 60 days to reorganize and directed Chrysler to do a merge deal with Italy's Fiat in 30 days in order to remain an American company. (Let it go, it makes sense in Washington.)

The Politico survey of cars parked next to the White House found only five U.S. brand cars out of 23 (a Dodge, two Fords, a Jeep and a Cadillac). The News found that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who didn't have the money to pay his $20,000+ in back taxes until they became a confirmation problem, did acquire a 2008 Acura.

Lawrence Summers, head of the president's National Economic Council, drives a Mazda. Director of the Office of Management and Budget Peter Orszag drives a Honda and a Volvo. Economic advisor Austan Goolsbee drives a Toyota. VP Joe Biden's economic advisor Jared Bernstein prefers a Honda.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a Republican, however, went American with a Buick and a Ford Escape hybrid.

-- Andrew Malcolm drives a Pontiac Vibe

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Photo: Associated Press (Geithner).

Comments

[D]

So what. Really. What's the big deal. All of the foreign brands you mention have strong U.S. economic ties. Until recently Mazda was almost wholly owned by Ford. Ford still owns Volvo. Hondas have been made in the U.S. for decades. Same for Toyotas. During the 2008 campaign, John McCain was shown to own a variety of foreign-made cars. Focus on the important stuff Andrew.

[CelikAt]

Well duh! It only demonstrates that GM and other US manufacturers are not making cars people in the US want to buy. Or are you saying it is unpatriotic to drive a foreign car? I think it is unpatriotic to drive a badly made car, no matter where it is made.

[Ray Temple]

Perhaps the team that drives foreign vehicles should give the American brands some consideration, they have come a long way. My cadillac CTS is awsome, does not take a back seat to any foreign cars. Keep driving the same boering foreign cars Washington.

[Jonathan]

The Obama team has made it clear that American automakers have been operating with a poor business model. In fact, nearly all of America knows this. So why exactly should they be expected to buy cars from what they know is a badly-run business?

[Michael Hersey]

Big Deal! I drive a Toyota Tacoma because it will outlast any 4cy domestic truck. Are we supposed to judge them on their car preferences now? It's not like the US Auto industry has given the consumers much faith, oh and your Pontiac Vibe is really a Toyota Matrix BTW.

[Anyone]

So what? Does this have anything to do with the fact that GM and Chrysler made cars that just weren't as appealing or the fact that they have made horrible corporate decisions? How is this even news, this is like saying "Oh no, they all like to wear red they must be communists".

[AmandaJ]

I only buy foreign, though not any new Saab these days. Mercedes, toyota, honda, VW, bring it on. They are better than most all american alternatives. Here in the US, too much plastic is used, the quality(to last long) isnt there. For a step in the right direction check out: imported car center, or if you have one & need parts, my favorite people @ fcpgroton. Keep it coming from overseas & perhaps american counterparts will begin to create better cars.
Cheers