DETROIT-members of the Obama administration auto task force will test drive a Chevrolet Volt rechargeable electric vehicle while visiting the Detroit area on Monday and visit the Chrysler LLC pickup plant, a government official said on Sunday.
Members of the task force, led by Wall Street financier Stephen Ratner and steel workers union officer Ron Bloom, will also meet with joint Auto Workers President Ron gatphinger and other senior union officials, they will sit down with senior GM officials.
Chrysler executives asked not to be named because the schedule was not announced, the official said.
GM and Chrysler live on $17.
Last year, the Bush administration approved $4 billion in government loans, requiring a total of $39 billion.
Obama appointed a special working group to review the survival plans of automakers and decide whether they should receive additional assistance.
Task force members will apparently start their day by visiting GM's sprawling technology center on the outskirts of Warren, Michigan.
Then visit the Warren Truck factory near Chrysler, where the new Dodge Ram pickup truck is located.
GM's US headquarters is located at the Technology Center. S.
Design and engineering operations, as well as special facilities for Volt.
It is not clear where members will meet with executives or union officials, although this could happen at the GM technology center north of downtown Detroit.
Volt, a battery-powered plug
In terms of electric vehicles, GM is testing at the Technology Center, where GM has a studio dedicated to developing the future cars the company is betting on.
General Motors is developing advanced lithium
Volt's ion battery pack, the company promises to drive 40 miles from a home socket for a single charge.
After that, one. 4-liter internal-
In order to expand the use of the car, the internal combustion engine will start generating electricity.
The struggling GM has promised to display the car in the showroom by the end of next year.
For Chrysler, the improved Ram is an important product. once the US is listed, executives hope it will lead the company to make a profit. S.
The auto market recovered from its worst sales slump in 27 years.
Chrysler notes that Ram is a sign of its quality improvement and interior upgrades, which will be extended to the rest of its lineup.
The White House said on Friday it was trying to identify "how to be the best partner" for the troubled auto industry ". Cabinet-
Panelists led by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and White House economic adviser Larry Summers met at the White House for 90 minutes to review GM and Chrysler's restructuring plans and discuss the plight of auto parts suppliers.
Many suppliers have little cash, and without the assistance of the government, they may soon enter bankruptcy protection.
The government can take back loans to GM and Chrysler, who failed to sign a debt restructuring agreement and other concessions from stakeholders including UAW by March 31.
GM and Chrysler are seeking $21.
Provide 6 billion additional financing for the implementation of the turnaround plan submitted last month.
Last week, GM said in its annual report that auditors raised serious doubts about the Detroit carmaker's ability to continue operating.
GM has received $13.
The federal loan is $4 billion and is seeking an additional $16. 6 billion.
Chrysler has received $4 billion in federal loans and has requested an increase of $5 billion.
Some Republican senators in Washington are pushing GM into bankruptcy protection. Sens.
John McCain of Arizona and Richard Shelby of Alabama said on Sunday that they wanted automakers to seek bankruptcy protection, which would allow restructuring.
GM said the restructuring could be done without bankruptcy and said Chapter 11 would scare away customers who were worried that the company would not honor the guarantee or replace parts.