U.S puts in a $285-million order for Detroit-made vehicles

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama expects to spend about $285 million by June 1, buying cars that get better gas mileage for the huge federal fleet and helping Detroit’s automakers sell vehicles at a time when any assistance is greatly needed.

He’d already promised to do so – the stimulus bill passed by Congress included $300 million for this purpose and Obama reiterated late last month that he wanted the General Services Administration to hurry up plans to start buying as way to assist struggling domestic carmakers.

Today, his White House put the details in writing, saying the GSA plans to buy about 17,600 new vehicles under existing contracts with General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, swapping out older vehicles that get fewer miles per gallon for more fuel efficient automobiles.

Specifically, said Obama, the GSA plans to buy about 2,500 hybrid sedans as part of the buy, with order expected to be placed by next Wednesday. For domestic automakers, that most likely puts GM’s Chevy Malibu and Saturn Aura and Ford’s Hybrid Fusion at the top of the list.

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