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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Swapping older federal cars for hybrids and fuel-efficient vehicles will reduce gasoline consumption by 1.3 million gallons per year. (http://uk.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idUKN0930165620090409)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Whitehouse.jpgReuters (http://uk.reuters.com) - April 9, 2009

I wonder what their benchmark for "fuel-efficient" is? --Ed.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama, saying he was committed to a strong U.S. auto industry, announced on Thursday the government would buy 17,600 new fuel-efficient vehicles from ailing American automakers by June 1.

Obama said the vehicles, part of the U.S. government fleet, would be purchased from General Motors (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Chrysler and Ford (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research), all of which had an existing contract with the federal government's General Services Administration.

The president said the GSA would spend about $285 million in funds from the $787 billion dollar Recovery Act approved by Congress earlier this year to buy the 17,600 commercially available fuel-efficient vehicles.

"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 statement announcing the... http://uk.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idUKN0930165620090409

I'm wondering the same thing. It's fine to support the local industry, but only if they have a product that fits the need. Buying inferior vehicles just because they're domestic is foolishness. Ford fits the bill for domestic and fuel-efficient, but GM and Chrysler do not.

Ford fits the bill for domestic and fuel-efficient, but GM and Chrysler do not.

I'm hoping that the vast majority of the vehicles are bought from Ford.

FEH
Ranger
Fusion Hybrid

These are all choices that are good for their intended purpose:

FEH: Multi-use, larger numbers of people and/or some cargo carrying
Ranger: Not many people, but decent cargo ability
Fusion Hybrid: up to 5 people, but very little cargo ability

GM and Chrysler have nothing to match them.

I read the only requirement is that the new vehicle must be more efficient than the one it replaces. They said they are shooting for at leat a 10% increase in FE overall. It was on CNN.

If I were making the purchases, I don't see how anybody but Ford would benefit. ;)

If I were making the purchases, I don't see how anybody but Ford would benefit. ;)

I do see one specific situation here at work where the Silverado or Sierra Hybrid would be appropriate.

Due to some very specific uses here they currently use diesel, 4 door F350s (or equivalent). They really do need a large truck for it, but not quite that much. The Silverado Hybrid would be sufficient. The hybrids would really make a huge difference when you consider that we have a 15 mph speed limit where these vehicles are used.

current vehicle: $39K+
Silverado Hybrid: ~$43K

Potential fuel savings: Unknown, but I am guessing well over $5K.

You're right about the Silverado.

Chrysler has a hard sell...

You're right about the Silverado.

Chrysler has a hard sell...

And this is only because of a very small, specific niche market. In any other situation I don't see the big hybrid trucks selling.

It won't be enough to keep GM in the game. Ford should come out the winner in this. GM gets a few sales, and Chrysler sinks like a rock.