Obama Buys 17,600 Detroit-Made Vehicles

First, President Obama generally subsidized the struggling U.S. automakers by pouring in billions of government bailout money to keep them in business.

Now, he's specifically subsidizing GM, Ford and Chrysler by using $285 million in government bailout money to purchase 17,600 new vehicles for use in government fleets, the government said today.

Don't be surprised if next week you see the president spotting Chrysler chief executive Bob Nardelli a twenty for lunch.

The purchase will be made by the General Services Administration, will be executed by June 1 and will focus on more fuel-efficient vehicles, the government said. Of the 17,000 vehicles, 2,500 will be hybrid sedans.

The government estimates the new purchase will save 1.3 million gallons of gas per year.

The cost works out to $16,193 per new vehicle. Fleet discount, you know.

"As a part of our commitment to the American auto industry, I charged my administration with using Recovery Act funds to purchase a new fleet of fuel efficient government vehicles to increase demand for our American auto companies and stimulate the economy," Obama said in a release.

Another way to look at this: Two weeks ago, Obama was the Car-Salesman-in-Chief, telling Americans: "If you buy a car from Chrysler or General Motors, you will be able to get your car serviced and repaired, just like always."

Today, he's the Car-Buyer-in-Chief.

-- Frank Ahrens
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