The presidential push for the mass adoption of alternative powered vehicles in the years to come was symbolically cemented yesterday at the GM plant in Hamtramck, Michigan, where president Obama went for a quick visit.
The billions spent by the administration last year to bail out a company which for years prior to its bankruptcy had done everything but tighten the belt, materialized in a brief, concise, straight from the heart remark the President made after jumping behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Volt and driving it for 40 feet (12 meters): “Pretty smooth.”
Now, being a president and all means that for the duration of your term, getting behind the wheel of a car is pretty much off limits. The same Secret Service which declined to fulfill the wish of the President to have a hybrid limo in his garages nearly stopped Obama from driving the Volt as well.
The guys to devote themselves to protecting the President had to speak with press secretary Robert Gibbs and GM officials before giving their ok and asked, politely if the Vol has an airbag.
GM swiftly responded it has eight.
“Now, I have to tell you some of you saw me drive a Volt about 12 inches. They don't let me drive much these days,” the President said after the Secret Service allowed him to play with the plug-in hybrid vehicle.
“But the Cadillac that I drive in is made right here. I got to admit the Secret Service soups it up a little bit.”
The billions spent by the administration last year to bail out a company which for years prior to its bankruptcy had done everything but tighten the belt, materialized in a brief, concise, straight from the heart remark the President made after jumping behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Volt and driving it for 40 feet (12 meters): “Pretty smooth.”
Now, being a president and all means that for the duration of your term, getting behind the wheel of a car is pretty much off limits. The same Secret Service which declined to fulfill the wish of the President to have a hybrid limo in his garages nearly stopped Obama from driving the Volt as well.
The guys to devote themselves to protecting the President had to speak with press secretary Robert Gibbs and GM officials before giving their ok and asked, politely if the Vol has an airbag.
GM swiftly responded it has eight.
“Now, I have to tell you some of you saw me drive a Volt about 12 inches. They don't let me drive much these days,” the President said after the Secret Service allowed him to play with the plug-in hybrid vehicle.
“But the Cadillac that I drive in is made right here. I got to admit the Secret Service soups it up a little bit.”