The Hour Approaches: Detroit Returns to Capitol Hill; Buick and Opel To Converge
DETROIT - While my colleagues in the auto-journo world are expecting a bonanza of new product news not seen since the 2007 United Auto Workers contract, a voice of reason on the Republican side of the aisle could put a damper on the big day. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) has warned Congress not to go public with the Detroit Three’s plans. Voinovich has “expressed concern about whether proprietary information submitted by the Big Three will be protected from disclosure,” Congressional Quarterly reports Monday afternoon. Voinovich is part of the bi-partisan group of senators who introduced a plan after the D3 dog ‘n pony show on Capitol Hill last month, calling on Congress to redirect $25 billion in low-interest loans originally part of the Energy Bill, and meant to help automakers switch to green, fuel-efficient cars.