Car Makers say Bailout a Defense Issue

[unhappycamper]

Car Makers say Bailout a Defense Issue
November 20, 2008
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - In an increasingly anxious campaign for a $25 billion government rescue, Detroit's Big Three car makers and their allies in Washington are warning the demise of the auto industry will damage U.S. national security.

That argument is a hard sell.

General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC long ago exited the defense business. While many of their suppliers also make the parts used on military vehicles and would be hit by the wave if one of the Big Three collapsed, defense experts see little immediate risk to the armed forces beyond paying higher prices.

"It's a stretch, quite frankly," said retired Army Lt. Gen. John Caldwell, chairman of the National Defense Industrial Association's combat vehicles division. "I think they're grasping at straws."

Chrysler's chief executive, Robert Nardelli, told the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday that a crippled auto industry "would undermine our nation's ability to respond to military challenges and would threaten our national security."


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/car-makers-say-bailout-a-defense-issue.html



uhc comment: You knew this was coming.

[screembloodymurder]

1. I agree.

This country must have auto mfg facilities for defense purposes.

[Kokonoe]

2. Nothing an emergency 30 billion no bid contract can't solve.

"I think they're grasping at straws." :shrug: