Manufacturing

Beijing’s actions pose unfair threat to workers in Fort Wayne area

June 18, 2009 -- Washington -- Senator Evan Bayh praised the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today for determining that China is illegally dumping imported tires into the American market, causing a market disruption that should be remedied by U.S. government action.

The ruling will help workers at domestic tire manufacturers like the BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing/Michelin North America Inc. plant in Woodburn, Indiana. The ITC was considering a petition initiated by the United Steel Workers alleging that an increase in imported Chinese tires has caused a steep decline in U.S. production, sales, profitability and employment.    » read more »

Brown Announces New Bill Providing $30 Billion in Funds to Help Auto Suppliers, Manufacturers Retool for Clean Energy Jobs

June 17, 2009 -- In Anticipation of Comprehensive Energy and Climate Legislation, Senator Joins Business, Environmental Leader to Announce Plan to Respond to Industry Credit Crisis, Invest in Domestic Clean Energy Manufacturing    » read more »

June 17, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today released the following statement on the announcement that Fiat/Chrysler will reopen its Missouri truck plant to produce 2009 and 2010 models:

"I am encouraged that Fiat/Chrysler is planning to reopen its Missouri truck plant on June 29th. This is a step in the right direction.

"My administration has had productive discussions with Chrysler and I will continue to work with the company on finding a way to keep its Missouri plant open for the foreseeable future.

"Missouri is home to the best-trained, hardest-working, most-productive auto workers in America, and my administration is committed to fighting for Fiat/Chrysler's presence here and the jobs that go with it.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- (Pittsburgh) – This week’s U.S. Commerce Department’s report of the $29 (B) billion April trade deficit highlights the continued threat China poses to a possible economic recovery fueled by a resurgence in industrial manufacturing.

While the 2009 imbalance to date remains below last year’s record pace, China is still responsible for more than half (57%) of the overall U.S. trade deficit in April, the most recent month for which data is available.    » read more »

June 15, 2009

Governor Kaine Announces Alcoa Howmet Expansion in Hampton; Company to invest up to $25 million

RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Alcoa will invest up to $25 million to increase capacity and production of investment castings for industrial gas turbines at its Hampton operations.

"Alcoa Howmet has been a steadfast contributor and strong corporate citizen in Hampton since it opened in 1974," Governor Kaine said. "This expansion reflects Alcoa Howmet's continued commitment to its workforce and the City of Hampton, and I am delighted the company's long-term, positive experience in Virginia led to an expansion of this magnitude."    » read more »

Co-sponsors two bills that would restore franchise agreements and guard dealers’ rights

Washington, June 10, 2009 -- As General Motors and Chrysler start shuttering more than 2,000 dealerships across the country, Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) wants to make sure Detroit and Washington do not trample on dealers’ rights to a transparent and fair process.

The congressman has sponsored two bills, H.R. 2743 and H.R. 2750, that would guard against General Motors (GM) and Chrysler arbitrarily stripping protections from state franchising laws by hiding behind federal government-ordered bankruptcy.    » read more »

Joint Statement of Senators Kohl and Feingold and Representatives Ryan and Baldwin on their Meeting with GM Executives Today

June 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold and Representatives Tammy Baldwin and Paul Ryan met with executives from General Motors (GM) to discuss the GM facility in Janesville.

The delegation members met with Troy Clarke, Head of GM’s North American Division, and Tim Lee, Vice President of Manufacturing for General Motors. Last week it was announced that the Janesville plant was one of three GM facilities under consideration for retooling to make small cars. Following the meeting, the delegation members jointly released the following statement:    » read more »

Senator Sherrod Brown Questions Officials on Federal Assistance to Auto Industry and Restructuring Plans; Banking Committee Discusses Federal Assistance to Domestic Auto Industry

June 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, attended a hearing today entitled “State of the Domestic Automobile Industry: Impact of Federal Assistance.” Brown’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow:

I want to thank our witnesses, Mr. Bloom and Dr. Montgomery, for joining us. I appreciate your service.

Over the past few months, I have had several conversations with each of you because the auto industry crisis is a crisis for my state.    » read more »

June 10, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued the following statement on Chrysler:

"Today is a landmark day in Michigan and U.S. manufacturing history.

With the approval of the courts and with the participation of new partners, the management and employees of the ‘new' Chrysler can resume the business of designing, engineering, manufacturing, selling and servicing cars and trucks for customers all over the world and help lead our nation toward a new green economy.

I stand with Chrysler employees and their families in celebrating this moment."

Source: Michigan Governor

GM Statement re: recent changes in GM stock price and volume

009-06-10 -- GM management has noticed a recent elevation in the volume and price of its common stock.

While GM does not control the market or its stock price, GM management strongly believes that any recovery for the common stockholders in the chapter 11 bankruptcy process is highly unlikely, even under the most optimistic of scenarios.

Stockholders of a company in chapter 11 generally receive value only if all claims of the secured and unsecured creditors are fully satisfied.

Source: GM

Pricing announced for the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport

2009-06-10 -- DETROIT - At the June meeting of the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association, Karen Rafferty, Chevrolet Product Marketing Director, today announced the recent production of the 1,500,000th Corvette at GM Bowling Green Assembly.

"The 1.5 millionth Corvette is a great example of how Chevy is America's Brand," Rafferty said. "For nearly 60 years we have built America's Sports Car and this milestone is a solid proof point."

The 1.5 millionth Corvette, built on May 28, is a white convertible 3LT with red interior and black top (similar to the first, 500,000th and 1 millionth Corvettes built in 1953, 1977 and 1992 respectively). The first Corvette rolled off the assembly line on June 30, 1953.    » read more »

Statement On The Plant Selection To Produce The New Small Car For GM

2009-06-10 -- On May 29, GM announced that we will build a future small, fuel-efficient car in the United States utilizing an existing UAW-GM assembly plant that is currently on standby capacity status.

The assembly plants in consideration are Orion (Michigan), Spring Hill (Tennessee) and Janesville (Wisconsin).

Given the importance of this small car program, and in an effort to move quickly to identify the plant, GM leadership has begun discussions regarding selection criteria with Federal and State government officials from Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

We hope to identify and announce the future production site of the small car within the next several weeks.

Source: GM

Sen. Hutchison: “Today is a sad day for 50 Texas small businesses and the communities they’ve served.”

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Texas senior Senator and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, released the following statement regarding the closure of 50 automotive dealerships in Texas:    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Texas senior Senator and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, released the following statement regarding General Motors' decision to select Ed Whitacre, Jr. as the company’s new chairman once it completes its bankruptcy reorganization:

“Ed Whitacre is a distinguished business leader.

"His successful career running a FORTUNE 50 company will give him the range of experience necessary to stabilize and strengthen General Motors.”

Source: Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (

June 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the CEO of General Motors, Fritz Henderson, to bring more openness and transparency into the company’s restructuring process while in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As dealerships throughout Illinois are notified that GM does not intend to renew their contract, many owners are left frustrated and confused.

“A vibrant automotive sector is crucial to the future of our manufacturing base in Illinois and throughout the country, and I support the Obama Administration’s efforts to help GM restructure,” said Durbin. “But I believe that such a restructuring should be executed fairly and openly and should result in a dealer network that is able to reach potential car buyers.”    » read more »