Green vehicles garner GM a DNC contract

By David Montero, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Friday, January 4, 2008

For the eighth consecutive time, General Motors became the official vehicle provider for the Democratic National Convention Committee during the convention to be held in August at the Pepsi Center.

The selection was, in large part, due to the automaker's large selection of flex-fuel and hybrid cars - notably alternative fuel versions of SUVs that can carry upwards of eight people.

GM plans to provide about 400 cars to use for delegates, media pools and DNCC staff during the Democratic National Convention Aug. 25-28.

Cameron Moody, the DNCC's director of operations, said this was the most ambitious attempt to have a fleet of alternative fuel or high-mileage vehicles during a political convention.

"Once we talked to them about how we really wanted to push the environmental piece, they were 100 percent on board," Moody said.

Among the cars that will be used as a part of the DNCC's transportation team are the hybrid versions of the Saturn Vue, the Aura Green Line and the Chevrolet Malibu.

GM spokesman Greg Martin said his company and the DNCC haven't worked out what percentage of the vehicles will be exclusively flex-fuel and hybrid verses how many will be considered high-mileage cars.

Andrea Robinson, the DNCC's director of greening, said the high-mileage cars will get at least 35 miles per gallon.

For a company that has been derided by environmental groups for the Hummer - the poster child for environmentally unfriendly SUVs - Martin said the automaker will be able to show its green side through convention exposure.

"This will be a great showcase to change perceptions about GM and to show we are taking leadership," he said.

DNCC officials said all auto manufacturers had a chance to bid for the contract to be the official vehicle for the DNCC, but they wouldn't disclose if any other companies sought the bid.

GM is celebrating its 100th anniversary and is the oldest American car company, with 130,000 employees in the United States. Martin said there are 200 GM employees in Colorado, and the company operates a large parts supply center in Denver.