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Automobile industry

Michigan Congressmen Urge Clinton to Release Documents in GM Investigation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Michigan congressmen are expressing concern that politics may be playing a role in the Department of Transportation's probe into the safety of millions of pickup trucks built by General Motors Corp. The congressmen, all Republicans, have urged President Clinton to release all documents connected to the investigation, citing the need for transparency to avoid further erosion of public confidence in the Department of Transportation. The probe, led by Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, focuses on the safety of side-mounted gasoline tanks in the trucks, which GM claims met all federal safety standards in place when they were built.

Key Takeaways:

  • Five Michigan congressmen, all Republicans, have written a letter to President Clinton urging him to release all documents connected to the ongoing federal probe into older pickup trucks built by General Motors Corp.
  • The congressmen fear that politics may be playing a role in the Department of Transportation's probe into the safety of millions of pickup trucks with side-mounted gasoline tanks.
  • The probe, led by Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, focuses on the safety of the side-mounted gasoline tanks in the trucks, which GM claims met all federal safety standards in place when they were built.
  • About 4.3 million side-saddle trucks are still on the road, and recalling them would cost General Motors up to $1 billion.
  • The congressmen, including Reps. Joe Knollenberg, Fred Upton, Peter Hoekstra, David Camp, and Vern Ehlers, are concerned that the recall process is being "blatantly politicized" at the expense of scientific objectivity.

Statistics:

  • 150 deaths in fiery crashes have been linked to the faulty gas-tank design in the trucks.
  • Another 32 deaths are expected in the coming years unless the trucks are revamped.
  • 4.3 million side-saddle trucks are still on the road.
  • Recalling the trucks would cost General Motors up to $1 billion.

Sources:

  • "Five Michigan Congressmen Urge Clinton to Release Documents in GM Investigation" (exact text not available, but the article is dated Oct. 28 and is from the Detroit location)
  • Quotation from Rep. Joe Knollenberg, attributed to the article, but exact source not available

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