February 22, 2010 10:11 am
Politico, “Toyota: Democrats ‘not industry friendly’”
by Jake Sherman
Internal Toyota documents derided the Obama administration and Democratic Congress as “activist” and “not industry friendly,” a revelation that comes days before the giant automaker’s top executives testify on Capitol Hill amid a giant recall.
According to a presentation obtained under subpoena by the House Oversight and Government Relations committee, Toyota referred to the “changing political environment” as one of its main challenges and anticipated a “more challenging regulatory” environment under the Obama administration’s purview.
This document, in addition to piles of other records, will be front and center this week as the Japanese automaker girds to face lawmakers hungry for answers about a recall that has the company teetering.
Politico article continues here.
February 10, 2010 10:15 am
Fox News, “Senator Brown’s Pickup Arrives on Capitol Hill”
by John Wallace and Anite Siegfriedt
The newest member of the Senate, Scott Brown (R-MA) just finished casting his first votes of his Senatorial career today but what might be equally important to his supporters is that his beloved green GMC truck, one of the most memorable symbols of the campaign, has arrived at the Capitol. Brown’s staff said he and his wife drove it down from Massachusetts.
Brown used the truck to crisscross Massachusetts during his historic campaign, and it played a prominent role in his campaign ads as well as his opponent’s.
After his upset victory over Democrat Martha Coakley, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told Brown that he could park it anywhere he’d like on Capitol Hill. Looks like Brown has taken McConnell up on the offer.
The snow-covered pickup was parked just outside of Brown’s office building, across from the Capitol, where it will likely make a regular appearance. Senators are permitted to park close to their offices.
Fox News article continues here.
January 11, 2010 8:53 pm
Bloomberg, “China Ends U.S.’s Reign as Largest Auto Market”
China supplanted the U.S. as the world’s largest auto market after its 2009 vehicle sales jumped 46 percent, ending more than a century of American dominance that started with the Model T Ford.
The nation’s sales of passenger cars, buses and trucks rose to 13.6 million, the fastest pace in at least 10 years, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. In the U.S., sales slumped 21 percent to 10.4 million, the fewest since 1982, according to Autodata Corp.
China’s vehicle sales have surged since 1999 as economic growth averaging more than 9 percent a year has helped automakers including General Motors Co. and Volkswagen AG compensate for slumping demand in the U.S. and Europe. The market will likely remain the world’s largest, even as sales slow this year on a reduction in tax cuts, according to Booz & Co.
Bloomberg article continues here.
