GM Becomes the Official Vehicle Provider for the Republican Convention

GM will provide a fleet of vehicles, including flex-fuel and hybrid cars for the 2008 Republican National Convention. Over 300 cars and light trucks will be on hand to shuttle convention goers in an around Saint Paul’s Xcel Energy Center.

Republican party officials are promising this convention will be their greenest ever.

I told you Republicans Love Hybrids. It seems funny to me how politicians want to be seen as driving hybrid cars whenever they can, but have so much trouble regulating the auto industry.

Press Release Follows:

2008 Republican National Convention: GM Named Official Vehicle Provider

GENERAL MOTORS NAMED OFFICIAL VEHICLE PROVIDER TO 2008 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) – The 2008 Republican National Convention today announced General Motors (GM) will serve as the Official Vehicle Provider for the convention later this year, which will be held at Saint Paul’s Xcel Energy Center. As the Official Vehicle Provider, GM will provide a fleet of vehicles, primarily flexible-fuel and hybrid models, to support the 2008 Republican National Convention.

“We’re pleased that General Motors will serve as the Official Vehicle Provider for the 2008 Republican National Convention,” said convention President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Cino. “GM and the Republican National Convention have enjoyed a strong partnership for the last seven conventions, and we look forward to working with GM once again to keep our convention moving smoothly.

“GM vehicles will be invaluable to our guests’ convention experience – and use of environmentally responsible models will support our pledge to host the greenest convention in our Party’s history,” Cino added.

GM will provide the 2008 Republican National Convention with more than 300 cars and light trucks representing a mix of highly fuel efficient vehicles that include E85 ethanol flex-fuel and hybrid technology. GM offers more vehicles that achieve 30 mpg on the highway, more flex fuel vehicles that can run on E85, and groundbreaking technology such as GM's two-mode hybrid system found in its full-size light trucks.

GM alone has produced over 2.5 million E-85 capable vehicles to date – more than any other automaker. GM is also releasing an average of one new hybrid model every three months for this year and next that includes the Saturn Vue and Aura Green Line, and Chevrolet Malibu. Last year, GM introduced the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon two-mode hybrid (the only hybrid system developed and built in the U.S. at its Baltimore, MD transmission plant) that get a 50 percent improvement in city mileage over gas versions.

“With convention goers from throughout the country descending on Minneapolis-St. Paul, this is an outstanding venue for a great number and variety of people to see first-hand how GM is leading the way with more products with more fuel and technology choices for consumers,” said Ken W. Cole, GM vice president for Global Public Policy and Government Relations. “As an integral part of the economic fabric of America with people and plants in over 30 states, we are proud to once again partner with the Republican National Convention.”

GM employs more than 130,000 people in the United States at its more than 75 plants and facilities throughout the country.

The Republican Party is committed to environmental preservation and the responsible stewardship of our natural resources. With convention preparations well underway, every effort is being made to use resources efficiently. In addition to environmentally responsible vehicle selection, Committee on Arrangements and Host Committee staff members are working with convention venues, including primary sites the Xcel Energy Center and Saint Paul RiverCentre, on ways to improve energy efficiency.

The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul’s Xcel Energy Center from September 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event.