Mackinac Policy Conference

Ford bashes Obama for Big 3 comments

David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

MACKINAC ISLAND -- Expressing the frustration of many domestic automakers, Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. took aim Thursday at one of the industry's tormentors -- albeit a popular one -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.

The Illinois Democrat and presidential candidate drew the ire of automakers after a speech to the Detroit Economic Club in March where he said: "Here in Detroit, three giants of American industry are hemorrhaging jobs and profits as foreign competitors answer the rising global demand for fuel-efficient cars."

Ford said Thursday he was "very disappointed" in the criticism Obama dished out to Detroit. He also criticized efforts in Congress to radically increase fuel economy.

"I would love to invite him to our Chicago assembly plant in his state and see where we make a vehicle that's more efficient than the one he's currently driving," Ford said to applause at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference.

Ford is in the early stages of building the new Tauras sedan and Taurus X wagon at the Chicago plant, both of which are more fuel efficient than the V8 Hemi-powered Chrysler 300C Obama drives. Obama's family also has a Ford escape hybrid, his office said.

"Senator Obama believes that unless we use the technology that's available today to increase fuel economy standards for the first time in two decades, the auto industry, workers and our climate will suffer," said Ben LaBolt, Obama's press secretary.