Daily Auto News Will Colin Powell Be the Car Czar?
Daily Auto News
GM’s Wellburn show.
Powell the Cadillac
Converj concept
Most of the prominent Washington leaders present at the media opening of the Washington auto show yesterday had an obvious reason to be there. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood and EPA administrator Lisa Jackson toured the show together, while Representative John Dingell (D-Mich.) showed up to accept an award from the industry for his advocacy on Capitol Hill across three decades. White House energy czar Carol Browner got a personal tour from Lou Rhodes, Chrysler’s environmental design chief, focused on the auto industry’s efforts to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
But one famous out-of-work political figure created a buzz because he didn’t have an obvious reason to be there. What was former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell doing in the Washington Convention Center?
Powell greeted Henrik Fisker, CEO of fledgling hybrid builder Fisker Coachbuild, as if the two had known each other for years. He received a personal tour of the show from GM Vice President of Global Design Ed Wellburn. And yet, Powell holds no position that would give him influence over the auto industry.
Of course, Powell could simply have been indulging an old passion. The New York Times has reported that Powell is a classic Volvo afficianado. “The former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was often found behind the chairman’s quarters at Fort Myer in Virginia tinkering with his cars,” during his service on the Joint Chiefs. “At one time I had six, stashed at various places around the post so the M.P.’s wouldn’t find them all,” he told the Times.
The Obama administration, however, has made clear that it plans to appoint a “Car Czar,” a single White House official tasked with overseeing the industry’s recovery. With the government likely to play a heavy role and invest billions of dollars in attempts to revive the industry, the Czar will need to be a respected figure. The official’s job description is likely to include persuading members of Congress from both parties to endorse the administration’s plans for the industry, mediating difficult negotiations with auto industry leaders, and selling the public on heavy government spending on an industry that many have nearly given up on. Powell’s gravitas could help him succeed in the position.
We have no official word that Powell is under consideration for the Czar’s role. But we’re asking. Stay tuned.
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