Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks after General Motors (GM) announced it would increase production at two plants to meet customer demand stimulated by the CARS program.  GM will add hours at the company's Lordstown, Ohio, and Orion Township, Michigan, plants, each of which makes several GM fuel-efficient vehicles including the Chevrolet Cobalt.  Congressman Dingell took a lead role in drafting and ensuring the passage of the original CARS bill and then worked to secure another $2 billion for the program fewer than 24 hours after the first $1 billion ran out.  

"We knew that once people made it back to the showrooms, they would see there are many wonderful American-made automobiles available for purchase.  These cars are now selling like iPhones at Christmas, largely due to the CARS program.  This highly successful economic stimulus program, which enjoys the strong support of the Obama Administration and much of the Congress, is not only spurring consumers to buy new vehicles, but it is also generating more hours for America's auto workers.  I am pleased to see GM, after several painful months of cost-cutting and resource reallocation, is bringing good news to its people and getting those assembly lines back up to full speed.  I want to congratulate President Obama, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and the Members of Congress who worked so hard to make this program a reality."

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