    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [March 26, 2007]
    [Pages 345-346]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With United States Automobile Makers
    March 26, 2007

        The President. I've just spent quite a while talking to our CEOs of American automobile companies. And I was interested
    in their take on my goal of reducing gasoline consumption by 20 percent
    over the next 10 years.
        I found it very interesting that by 2012, 50 percent of the
    automobiles in America will be flex-fuel vehicles. That means that the
    American consumer will be able to either use gasoline or ethanol,
    depending upon, obviously, price and convenience. That's a major
    technological breakthrough for the country. If you want to reduce
    gasoline usage, like I believe we need to do so for national security
    reasons as well as for environmental concerns, the consumer has got to
    be in a position to make a rational choice. And so I appreciate very
    much the fact that American automobile manufacturers recognize the
    reality of the world in which we live and are using new technologies to
    give the consumers different options.
        Right now, most of our ethanol is made from corn. But the Federal
    Government is spending a lot of money to try to develop new technologies
    that will mean that ethanol could be made from wood chips or
    switchgrass. Part of that request is embedded in a request to the
    Congress, and I would hope that Congress would move expeditiously on our
    plan to reduce gasoline usage by 20 percent over the next 10 years. It's
    in our national security interest that we do this, it's in economic
    security interest we do it, and, all at the same time, it will help us
    be better stewards of the environment.
        And now I'd like to ask these gentlemen to make a few comments. Go
    ahead, Rick.
        G. Richard Wagoner, Jr. Yes, I'd
    just--from General Motors' perspective, we very much share the
    President's vision, and we definitely see a path through to both lower
    oil consumption, lower amounts of imported oil, and fewer carbon
    emissions. And obviously, near-term opportunity that we are moving on
    right now, as the President cited, is flex-fuel vehicles that are
    powered by E-85 ethanol. There are millions on the road today. As a
    group, we've agreed to double our production by the year 2010 and then
    have 50 percent of our production E-85 capable by the year 2012. This
    makes a big difference, and there's nothing that can be done which can
    reduce the curve of growth in imported oil and actually turn it down
    like using E-85, taking advantage of what's there today.
        So we look forward to the opportunity to work closely with the
    administration, the Congress to increase the production of ethanol and
    to improve the distribution. And on the manufacturer's side, we look
    very, very much forward to playing our role in that process as well.
        The President. Thank you. Alan.
        Alan Mulally. Well, I might add to what
    Rick said, that we at Ford absolutely are supportive of the President's
    goal, both for energy efficiency and independence and to be good
    stewards of our environment.
        One of the neat things about the conversation, again, today, on the
    continuing dialog that we've had, is being able to--for the United
    States system to have options and have flexibility. And the fact that we
    have ethanol solutions today, hybrids coming along, and plus hydrogen
    and fuel cells and new battery technology, gives some great options to
    satisfy our need for flexibility, as well as being good stewards of the
    environment.
        So, Mr. President, we appreciate the leadership, and we look forward
    to working with you going forward.
        Thomas W. LaSorda. Well,
    DaimlerChrysler, which includes the Mercedes Car Group, the
    Freightliner, and

    [[Page 346]]

    other truck divisions in the Chrysler Group, we've committed as well, by
    2012, to have 50 percent of our production not only in E-85 but
    biodiesel. This Jeep Grand Cherokee here today is going into production
    as we speak, being shipped from the factory with B-5.
        So we're very committed to this as well, and we think this is the
    answer for America to lower our dependence on foreign oil.
        Thank you.
        The President. One of the things that I think it's important for the
    American taxpayer to understand is that we're using some of their
    dollars to promote new technologies, and we're working with
    these CEOs
    and their respective companies to advance
    new technologies. They're on the leading edge of technological change,
    and it's in our interest to help promote these new technologies that are
    coming to the market.
        And I'm excited about the future. I'm optimistic we can meet our
    goal. I look forward to working with Congress to do so. And I appreciate
    you all coming today.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:11 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. Participating in the meeting were G. Richard Wagoner, Jr.,
    chairman and chief executive officer, General Motors Corp.; Alan
    Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Co.; and
    Thomas W. LaSorda, president and chief executive officer, Chrysler
    Group, DaimlerChrysler.