Have to be a North American or German auto company to get White House invite

[RB TexLa]

Toyota not among carmakers invited to White House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp. is creating U.S. jobs, making friends in Washington and leading in fuel-saving technology, yet will not be at the table when
President George W. Bush meets major automakers to talk energy policy on Monday.
...
Japan's Toyota, meanwhile, eclipsed Chrysler in U.S. sales last year and is tailgating Ford now. Analysts expect Toyota to dethrone GM as global sales leader this year.
...
"Toyota is gradually going to become the Number Two automaker in the United States. We should be cultivating them," Morici said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070325/bs_nm/toyota_bush_dc

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

1. Why German, I wonder. Does that big Mercedes have a special sentimental

and nostalgic value for the Bushler regime?

[Rosemary2205]

2. Energy policy my butt..........

I'll bet you 2 dollars to a donut that the purpose of the meeting is union busting strategies. "The Big Three" have been begging the WH for help in union busting -- for instance not having to pay taxes on imported non-union steel -- and getting some help not having to put money aside for legacy costs to help them weasel out of paying down the road. If they can cut back on what the union guys get then they can funnel more to CEO's.