Vice President Biden Announces New Life for Shuttered Former General Motors Plant in Wilmington
EmailABC News' Karen Travers reports:
Vice President Joe Biden traveled to his home state of Delaware today to join an announcement that a former General Motors assembly plant in Wilmington will be back up and running producing environmentally friendly vehicles.
Fisker Automotive, a luxury automaker based in California, announced it will produce plug-in, electric hybrid vehicles at the shuttered GM plant.
Biden told an enthusiastic crowd that the United States can once again be a global leader in the automotive industry.
"I refuse to believe that we will not once again lead the entire world in the manufacturing of automobiles," Biden told the audience of more than 1,000 including union workers that the vice president singled out in his remarks. "This factory in Delaware, and the industry, are going to get back up off the mat."
Fisker bought the Wilmington plant for $18 million and will spend $175 million will be spent to refurbish it over the next three years. It received a conditional loan of $528.7 million from the Department of Energy in September to develop the plug in cars. Production is scheduled to begin in late 2012.
The Wilmington plant will support "Project Nina," Fisker's development and construction of a plug-in hybrid sedan that would cost around $39,000 after federal tax credits.
The automotive company predicts that by 2014, the development project will create or support 2000 factory jobs and another 3000 vendor and supplier jobs.
"This is proof positive that our efforts to create new jobs, invest in a clean energy economy and reduce carbon pollution are working," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu in a statement. "We are putting Americans back to work and reigniting a new Industrial Revolution that is paramount for the economic success of this country."
The Wilmington Assembly plant was built in 1946 and owned by General Motors until this year. At one point it employed more than 5,000 workers but this year it shut down production with just 450 hourly workers.
-Karen Travers
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If Europe can give birth to Airbus, I have no doubt that the US auto industry can get back on its feet. Between public efforts (GM), private efforts (Ford), and good business incentives like this loan, something will stick. America fundamentally has a strong base of engineering talent and manufacturing ability; this recession is an ugly hair cut, but as the dollar drops and inept management is culled this is when the seeds of the next boom are planted.
Posted by: jhw539 | October 27, 2009, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
I’m liking what I see unfolding for our great country……..nothing remains the same, everything must change.
Posted by: sara | October 27, 2009, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
—Vice President Biden today ‘will travel to Wilmington, Delaware. Vice President Biden will be joined by Governor Jack Markell and other Delaware officials to make a major announcement about the future of the former General Motors Boxwood Plant.’ An administration official: ‘This gives a window into how the U.S. auto industry is transforming–and it is tangible evidence of this White House’s commitment to becoming a world leader in building electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, as well as transitioning old factories for the new economy to put people back to work.’—
Nine months in to the Obama administration and we have tangible evidence of the White House’s commitment to building electric cars–and no evidence that this White House is committed to winning the war that claimed the lives of 14 Americans yesterday.
Posted by: Obamatopia | October 27, 2009, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
and no evidence that this White House is committed to winning the war that claimed the lives of 14 Americans yesterday.
Obamatopia | Oct 27, 2009 2:46:19 PM
Meanwhile, in documented REALITY, Obama has doubled the number of troop in Afghanistan. Just this month he signed orders sending out another 13,000. And it is exceptionally clear that Afghanistan is the primary policy question the administration is dealing with.
But in Republican Fantasy Land, none of that evidence makes it on the air now does it?
Posted by: jhw539 | October 27, 2009, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
“Nine months in to the Obama administration and we have tangible evidence of the White House’s commitment to building electric cars–and no evidence that this White House is committed to winning the war that claimed the lives of 14 Americans yesterday.”
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Nonsense, the Bush administration left Afghanistan on the back burner for about 7 years, allowing the taliban and al qaeda to regroup and get stronger. The results of that we are seeing now.
Obama significanly increased the number of troops in Afghanistan within months of taking office.
Can Afghanistan be ‘won’? I don’t know – the Russians surely had little success, nor did any other ‘invader’ over the centuries.
Posted by: julieterra | October 27, 2009, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
And what does market research tell us? That Americans are not going to buy these cars.
You see, most normal people would examine the market before starting production…but hey, we don’t have to worry about profits or even breaking even because the tax payers are making payroll.
insanity.
Posted by: mjishernameo | October 27, 2009, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
That’s pretty good news about this auto plant. Contrary to what republicans like to pretend, smart business is ready to invest.
Posted by: julieterra | October 27, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
“Nonsense, the Bush administration left Afghanistan on the back burner for about 7 years, allowing the taliban and al qaeda to regroup and get stronger. The results of that we are seeing now.”
Posted by: julieterra | Oct 27, 2009 2:51:05 PM
Hey Julie, is this your idea of focusing on Afghanistan??
The White House responded to former vice president Cheney’s accusation of “dithering” on war decisions by countering that Cheney had “not focused on Afghanistan” for seven years.
The following day, President Obama left for a series of fundraisers in Connecticut and Massachusetts and a weekend golf outing.
Posted by: Libs, and the Lying Liars Who Elect Them | October 27, 2009, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
Hey Julie, is this your idea of focusing on Afghanistan??
The White House responded to former vice president Cheney’s accusation of “dithering” on war decisions by countering that Cheney had “not focused on Afghanistan” for seven years.
The following day, President Obama left for a series of fundraisers in Connecticut and Massachusetts and a weekend golf outing.
Posted by: Libs, and the Lying Liars Who Elect Them | Oct 27, 2009 3:04:54 PM
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Monday, October 26, 2009
“President Obama will hold his sixth meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan with his national security team this morning. Those expected to attend are: Vice President Biden (via videoconference from Ohio), Secretary of State Clinton, Secretary of Defense Gates, General James Jones, National Security Advisor, Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Advisor, John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security and Rahm Emanuel, White House Chief of Staff.”
Seems to me you’re the one who is lying, or perhaps just not caring about the truth enough to actually read and follow current events.
Posted by: julieterra | October 27, 2009, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
Posted by: julieterra | Oct 27, 2009 3:16:04 PM
More meetings? Really?
General McChrystal–whom Obama handpicked for the command–gave Obama his recommendation three months ago. Obama has been telling us for two years that we need to commit more resources to the war–so that we are not just “air-raiding villages and killing civilians.” What more is there to contemplate while out on the golf course?? Maybe how bad a troop increase will hurt Obama’s support from MoveOn, Kos, George Soros, and Code Pink.
Posted by: Libs, and the Lying Liars Who Elect Them | October 27, 2009, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
“The following day, President Obama left for a series of fundraisers in Connecticut and Massachusetts and a weekend golf outing.”
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You seem to miss the fact you were being dishonest when you described fund raising and golf – and left out a major meeting on Afghanistan with all the key players including Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, Deputy National Security Advisor and Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security.
Makes your comments hardly worth reading and demonstrably unreliable.
Posted by: julieterra | October 27, 2009, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
“And what does market research tell us? That Americans are not going to buy these cars.”
Ford press release Oct 15th 2009.
“* Ford Motor Company’s year-to-date hybrid sales are 73 percent higher than the same period in 2008, fueled by the introduction of hybrid versions of the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan
* More than 60 percent of the sales of Fusion Hybrid are by non-Ford owners – with more than 52 percent of those customers coming from import brands
* Numbers of Ford Escape Hybrid taxis growing on streets of San Francisco and New York where vehicles in service have exceeded 300,000 miles since their introduction
* Ford hybrids help “green” federal government fleets”
Posted by: Ryan C | October 27, 2009, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
“This is proof positive that our efforts to create new jobs, invest in a clean energy economy and reduce carbon pollution are working,” says Biden..
Proof positive generally occurs after the fact, not before. Best to wait and see if consumers will buy a $40-80k+ vehicle that at present is only a concept. With all that government money floating in there, it is sure to be a success. lol.. I wonder if Fisker will have his salary capped.
Posted by: Sigmonde | October 27, 2009, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm
“I wonder if Fisker will have his salary capped”
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Fisker wasn’t bailed out.
In order to receive the funds Fisker Automotive must meet very specific milestones. Money is disbursed in small amounts only if the company successfully reaches these milestones — The funds will be repaid, with interest, to the American taxpayer.
Posted by: julieterra | October 27, 2009, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm
but as the dollar drops
Posted by: jhw539 | Oct 27, 2009 2:39:25 PM
You got that right, Soros is selling Dollars like crazy.
Posted by: Lizzie | October 27, 2009, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
“Contrary to what republicans like to pretend, smart business is ready to invest.”
If Fisker Auto is such a great concept and “smart”, why is there no public stock offering for investors instead of a giant taxpayer loan? If Fisker fails to make a profit, what then?
Posted by: Sigmonde | October 27, 2009, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
“Money is disbursed in small amounts only if the company successfully reaches these milestones — The funds will be repaid, with interest, to the American taxpayer.”
How does that work? I mean, how do the taxpayers receive the money back, and with interest? Do we get a tax refund check? Please explain. Thanks.
Posted by: Sigmonde | October 27, 2009, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
“Money is disbursed in small amounts only if the company successfully reaches these milestones — The funds will be repaid, with interest, to the American taxpayer.”
How does that work? I mean, how do the taxpayers receive the money back, and with interest? Do we get a tax refund check? Please explain. Thanks.
Posted by: Sigmonde | October 27, 2009, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
“Money is disbursed in small amounts only if the company successfully reaches these milestones — The funds will be repaid, with interest, to the American taxpayer.”
How does that work? I mean, how do the taxpayers receive the money back, and with interest? Do we get a tax refund check? Please explain. Thanks.
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You’ve heard of loans right? I’m sure you’ll figure it out.
Posted by: julieterra | October 27, 2009, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
Fisker has some interesting information at its website.
Posted by: MayBee | October 27, 2009, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
“If Fisker fails to make a profit, what then?”
Posted by: Sigmonde | Oct 27, 2009 4:04:07 PM
Then give them more taxpayer money, and appoint Obama cronies to their board of directors. That’s the Chicago way.
Posted by: Obamatopia | October 27, 2009, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
Obamatopia: Obama is committed to winning the war but not without finding out if we have the afghanistan people supporting us for our efforts. The Bush administration sent 8,000 troops to Afghanistan and forgot about them. They did not answer requests for over a year and when they did they did not support them in any other way…no supplies, faulty equipment, and then went on to Iraq where they also sent faulty equipment where soldiers had to do migshift repairs to what they had. Obama will not do this. When he makes the commitment, money, supplies and a plan will follow.
Posted by: talmag | October 27, 2009, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
“If Fisker fails to make a profit, what then?”
Posted by: Sigmonde | Oct 27, 2009 4:04:07 PM
Simple: replace the board of directors with Obama/Daley Chicago cronies, and pump in more taxpayer money.
Posted by: Obamatopia | October 27, 2009, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
“If Fisker fails to make a profit, what then?”
Posted by: Sigmonde | Oct 27, 2009 4:04:07 PM
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Read the terms of the loan.
Posted by: julieterra | October 27, 2009, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
“Obama is committed to winning the war but not without finding out if we have the afghanistan people supporting us for our efforts. ”
Obama said it was a war of necessity. Are you saying that if the Afghan people don’t support us, the war is off? Think about it.
Posted by: Sigmonde | October 27, 2009, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm
“Vice President Joe Biden’s favorability numbers have reached their lowest since before the 2008 presidential election, according to a new Gallup poll.
“The vice president’s approval rating has been on the decline since November, when it peaked at almost 60 percent. But Gallup’s latest measure now pegs that rating at only 42 percent — a six point drop since July of this year. Additionally, about 40 percent of surveyed voters even said they had an unfavorable view of the vice president — an increase of about four points over the last four months.”
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 27, 2009, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm
I’m pretty sure Cheney sunk to below 19% – long way for Biden to go.
Posted by: julieterra | October 27, 2009, 11:56 pm 11:56 pm
Biden + Delaware + Pork Barrel
Not a coincidence that the Delaware plant was the one our tax dollars are funding. I guess there was no Chicago plant available. Of course being a “green” technology there will be no Senate hearing. While electric cars seem “green”, what is the net energy savings when power is generated to produce the electricity to charge the batteries?
Posted by: OldSailor | October 28, 2009, 12:55 am 12:55 am
All comments not related to the GM plant should be removed and posted to the correct forum.
Posted by: OldSailor | October 28, 2009, 12:57 am 12:57 am
This sounds like money well spent if you can say that with government spending money. I hope it works out the way they plan as far as created jobs go.
This is NOT good news for entitlement seekers, such as the poor folks in Philadelphia who are having trouble getting stimulus money. Hopefully they can hang on a little longer – say, mid-2010 when the Stimulus money really starts to flow to buy votes for the mid-term elections.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 28, 2009, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm
I’m pretty sure Cheney sunk to below 19% – long way for Biden to go.
Posted by: julieterra | Oct 27, 2009 11:56:09 PM
What is the point of gaging a VP’s performance against 19%? So you’re saying it’s a good thing until he hits 19%? What kind of logic is that?
Or is it just another chance to compare the current administration to the previous?
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 28, 2009, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
I’m pretty sure Cheney sunk to below 19% – long way for Biden to go.
Posted by: julieterra | Oct 27, 2009 11:56:09 PM
What is the point of gaging a VP’s performance against 19%? So you’re saying it’s a good thing until he hits 19%? What kind of logic is that?
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When polls are used to disparage a standing politician, it’s worthwhile to provide some context by using comparison – in this case – a comparison with the last administration.
Posted by: julieterra | October 28, 2009, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
When polls are used to disparage a standing politician, it’s worthwhile to provide some context by using comparison – in this case – a comparison with the last administration.
Posted by: julieterra | Oct 28, 2009 3:13:06 PM
When you come up with Cheney’s polling numbers after 10 months into the first four years, get back to me. Otherwise, your comparison is invalid and your context is worthless.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 28, 2009, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm