Ford Motor hopes its latest public relations ploy of putting CEO Alan Mulally behind the wheel of a hybrid for a 10-hour drive will get as much mileage with politicians as his last trip – only in a positive direction.
After stinging public rebukes for zooming into Washington aboard posh corporate jets in search of federal handouts, the chiefs of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler are rethinking their travel plans to the Capitol later this week to press their case for a $25 billion bailout.
Mulally, 63, will drive in Ford’s popular hybrid, electric-gas vehicles, alternating between the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner to make the 525-mile ride from Detroit to Washington. They average about 33 miles per gallon. The Ford road trip would cost about $29, excluding snacks, compared with the more than $20,000 a hour riding in one of Ford’s five corporate jets that Mulally used last month.
Ford also said yesterday that it may sell its prized Volvo unit. This year Ford has shed its Jaguar and Land Rover brands and unloaded most of its stake in Mazda.
Meanwhile, GM’s Rick Wagoner is expected to copy Ford’s move. A spokesman said the CEO is scheduled to make an announcement today about his travel plans.
Chrysler’s press office didn’t have any information about how chief Bob Nardelli would travel to Washington for new hearings starting on Thursday.
Ford plans to sell all five of its jets. GM said it is breaking up its seven-jet fleet by selling two and listing an additional two for sale.