GM CEO is going to drive a Camaro to D.C.

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by diddiyo

I don't think that economically it makes a lot of sense to drive from detroit to dc. Just hop on a regular plane...

Really? The Malibu Hybrid gets 34mpg (EPA) on the freeway. It should burn just over 15 gallons of gas to cover the 520 miles from Detroit to DC. At today's average regular gas price, that's about $28. How's that not cheaper than taking a plane?

Just think about this: You can drive a Malibu Hybrid from Detroit to DC on a single tank of gas (tank holds 16 gallons). 544 mile range.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

Really? The Malibu Hybrid gets 34mpg (EPA) on the freeway. It should burn just over 15 gallons of gas to cover the 520 miles from Detroit to DC. At today's average regular gas price, that's about $28. How's that not cheaper than taking a plane?

When was the last time you bought a last-minute plane ticket? I just did a search for pricing and came up with about 10 times the cost in pump gas.

[CamaroScotty]

I was going to SAY MALIBU HYBRID......but the suburbans were lurking yesterday....I'm not one of "those guys"...

[diddiyo]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

Just think about this: You can drive a Malibu Hybrid from Detroit to DC on a single tank of gas (tank holds 16 gallons). 544 mile range.

what about the time a CEO is wasting in the car and not being able to work? Ok, now that his salary will most likely be $1 it doesn't really matter, but before that it's a point to think about imo.

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by diddiyo

what about the time a CEO is wasting in the car and not being able to work? Ok, now that his salary will most likely be $1 it doesn't really matter, but before that it's a point to think about imo.

Actually, if he'd use his company supplied regular driver (who's getting paid whether he's sitting in Detroit or driving to DC) to drive him to DC, he'd have a full 9 hours to work. A cell phone and a wireless cellular card in his laptop would keep him connected. Or perhaps he could spend the time just thinking about the best way to turn the Titanic before it hits the proverbial iceberg.

Compare that to taking a regular flight on a airplane:

1. Drive to airport - 30 minutes. (Time used 30 minutes)
2. Arrive 1.5 hours early to check in and clear security - 1.5 hours wasted. (Time used 2.0 hours)
3. Flight time from Detroit to DC - 1.5 hours. (No phone/internet) (Time used 3.5 hours)
4. Taxi to gate, disembark, get to taxi stand - 30 minutes wasted. (Time used 4.0 hours)
5. Take taxi from airport to the lions pit (Senate) - 30 minutes. (Time used 4.5 hours)

On his own plane, sure it makes more sense that he's wasting time if he drives but if you make him go on a regular flight....

Does it really matter anyhow? He's already in DC.

[DGthe3]

I heard that the CEO's agreed to $1/yr if they get the loan. Any other updates?

Originally Posted by Rallysport

I agree 100%. However, this "bailout" will give more leverage to the idiots in Washington to make the domestic auto industry slaves to Congress' wants and desires.....such as electric tricycles for all of us to drive. Say bye bye to what YOU want to drive and hello to what Congress says you SHOULD drive. What the hell is this...COMMUNISM? I'm beginning to think this country is already half gone, just waiting for the rest of the "fall of Rome".

Nope. Communism is (theoretically) everyone owning everything. What you describe is a totalitarian system. There are ways to have a totalitarian government without communism, for example: fascism.


Back on topic
GM CEO drives a Hybrid Malibu to D.C

[FenwickHockey65]

Mulally drove an Escape Hybrid.

Wagoner drove a Malibu Hybrid.

[radz28]

Autoblog - http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/02/m...r-federal-aid/

"Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli was the only auto exec who readily offered to work for a buck if it meant securing federal aid from Congress in the form of bridge loans. Ford CEO Alan Mulally famously told the politicians sitting before him, "I think I'm OK where I am." We would be OK too with the tens of millions of dollars that Mulally has received as compensation so far from Ford. GM CEO Rick Wagoner was described as being "demur" when asked about lowering his salary to a $1.

Now it seems that the boy from Boeing and the Ricker are reconsidering their previous reluctance to take a pay cut. The Detroit Free Press is reporting that both CEOs are prepared to tell Congress on Thursday that they would be willing to work for $1 if it meant getting the approval of Congress for federal loans.

Congress had previously demanded the each of the Detroit 3 automakers submit a detailed plan to Congress outlining how they would use the federal loans to return to profitability and ensure the long term viability of their companies. Ford is the first to turn their homework in, which reveals the Blue Oval expects to be making money again in 2011 and will have an all-electric sedan on sale by then. All it's asking in return is a $9 billion slice of the $25 billion federal aid package that would only be used if necessary. Ford already has enough credit to survive through 2010 and only envisions needing the fed's money if something happens to either GM or Chrysler.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]"

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

Actually, if he'd use his company supplied regular driver (who's getting paid whether he's sitting in Detroit or driving to DC) to drive him to DC, he'd have a full 9 hours to work. A cell phone and a wireless cellular card in his laptop would keep him connected. Or perhaps he could spend the time just thinking about the best way to turn the Titanic before it hits the proverbial iceberg.

Compare that to taking a regular flight on a airplane:

1. Drive to airport - 30 minutes. (Time used 30 minutes)
2. Arrive 1.5 hours early to check in and clear security - 1.5 hours wasted. (Time used 2.0 hours)
3. Flight time from Detroit to DC - 1.5 hours. (No phone/internet) (Time used 3.5 hours)
4. Taxi to gate, disembark, get to taxi stand - 30 minutes wasted. (Time used 4.0 hours)
5. Take taxi from airport to the lions pit (Senate) - 30 minutes. (Time used 4.5 hours)

On his own plane, sure it makes more sense that he's wasting time if he drives but if you make him go on a regular flight....

Does it really matter anyhow? He's already in DC.

I checked with a couple airlines and a first class flight from detroit on a 1 day notice (if the airline is not booked up) is aproximately $1,200.00. and you forgot that many times a flight is delayed or that to get the earliest flight you may have to change planes and have a layover. even more time delay.. so in a corporate world where time is very expensive to waste, a private plane is more important than saving a few bucks by using commercial airlines. BUT nothing says they can't downsize their jet to a smaller twin engine Cessna.... Flight time may take a little longer but it would be available at a moments notice.

[L. James]

Ford does NOT want either of the other two to fail, realizing that this will pull them down into the hole it creates.

“Because our industry is an interdependent one, with broad overlap in supplier and dealer networks, the collapse of one or both of our domestic competitors would threaten Ford as well,” the company said in its plan. “It is in our own self-interest, as well as the nation’s, to seek support for the industry at a time of great peril to this important manufacturing sector of our economy.”


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/bu...to.html?ref=us

Also, Mulally will be driving a Ford Escape Hybrid to Congress.


Finally, Mulally will take the salary cut if loans are accessed.

"If the company does access the loans, it said Mr. Mulally’s salary, which amounted to $21 million last year, would be reduced to $1 a year."

[UCF w00t]

Assuming a bi-weekly pay period, would payroll send them a check for $0.038 every other week? Also, wouldn't that be illegal since he'd be making less than minimum wage?

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by diddiyo

what about the time a CEO is wasting in the car and not being able to work? Ok, now that his salary will most likely be $1 it doesn't really matter, but before that it's a point to think about imo.

lets say he makes 10 mill a year divided by 2080 hours that's 4,807 dollars an hour.

and he's driving about 6 hours. GM will be spending 28,846 for him to drive.

So I wonder if that is cost effective.... I'll bet 100 bucks that chartering a jet, given the time savings is more cost effective than having him drive there.

But, it's all about perception isn't it.

[Hylton]

Originally Posted by gtahvit

lets say he makes 10 mill a year divided by 2080 hours that's 4,807 dollars an hour.

and he's driving about 6 hours. GM will be spending 28,846 for him to drive.

So I wonder if that is cost effective.... I'll bet 100 bucks that chartering a jet, given the time savings is more cost effective than having him drive there.

But, it's all about perception isn't it.

I'd take that bet. He's not doing the driving - some go boy is so that leaves him plenty of time to work 100% on his laptop and crackberry. Zero downtime.

[Legend]

Way too much was made of the private jets...I mean honeslty what do CEOs do when they need to be somewhere...drive?

Oh wait...they are driving this time!

BS! Congress and most of the American public made way too too much of it!!!