The House Science Committee considers an exciting area of policy — many exciting areas — on Wednesday when it convenes a hearing, “The Future of Manufacturing: What is the Role of the Federal Government in Supporting Innovation by U.S. Manufacturers?” The issue at hand, the comittee says, is the need “for U.S. manufacturers to adopt innovative technologies and processes in order to remain globally competitive, and to determine the appropriate role for the Federal Government in supporting efforts by U.S. manufacturers to innovate.”

Witnesses are:

• Susan Smyth, Director of Manufacturing, GM R & D, and Chief Scientist for Manufacturing, General Motors Company
• Len Sauers, Vice President, Global Sustainability, Procter & Gamble
• Debtosh Chakrabarti, President and Chief Operating Officer, PMC Group Inc.
• Mark Tuominen, Director, National Nanomanufacturing Network
• Wayne Crews, Vice President for Policy and Director of Technology Studies, Competitive Enterprise Institute

The hearing charter includes a good discussion of manufacturing’s role in the U.S. economy, the importance of innovation, and federal policies intended to support that innovation.

 

On CNBC last night: Debating whether the US actually needs to have its own auto industry, with former Gov. John Engler (R-MI) CNBC’s Dennis Kneale & Phil Lebeau. About 10 minutes worth.

In looking for informative and comprehensive news coverage of the Detroit automakers, we turn to the Detroit newspapers, still plural, thankfully.

The Detroit News’ website is http://www.detroitnews.com

The lead headline on its webpage is: “GM to enter bankruptcy,” albeit in a much bigger font. Here’s how the morning will shake out, the News reports.

Early morning: GM files paperwork with U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York
10 a.m.: GM Chief Financial Officer Ray Young briefs reporters in New York
11:55 a.m.: President Obama makes a statement about GM in Washington
12:15 p.m.: GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson holds a press conference in New York

The Detroit Free Press’s website is http://www.freep.com

The Free Press’s lead headline on its website: GM files for bankruptcy protection

For the hard-hit Detroit metropolitan area, there is still some good news today:

AP sources: GM to stay in RenCen That’s the Renaissance Center, downtown.

Free Press, “Penguins still no match for Red Wings, who roll to 2-0 series lead”

 

The Detroit Free Press covers the White House’s instructions to General Motors and Chrylser, including the forced departure of GM’s CEO, Rick Wagoner.

U.S. shreds auto plans

Obama gives Chrysler 30 days to join Fiat, forces Wagoner out at GM

President Barack Obama will give General Motors 60 days to craft a new survival plan without Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner, and set a 30-day deadline for Chrysler to either partner with Fiat SpA or shut down.

Granholm: Wagoner ‘sacrificial lamb’

WASHINGTON — Gov. Jennifer Granholm says Rick Wagoner, the General Motors chairman and CEO forced out of his job in the Obama administration’s final effort to revive the ailing U.S. auto industry, is a “sacrificial lamb.”

• Wagoner’s fast rise, hard fall
• GM: 60 days to find fix
• Industry reactions to Wagoner’s ouster
• Ford execs: We want to steer clear of any aid
• Statements from Wagoner, GM board
• Henderson to lead overhaul of GM

Commentary:

• Tom Walsh: It’s been time for Wagoner to leave
• Mark Phelan: Fiat won’t cure Chrysler’s ills
• Susan Tompor: GM investors could see even more turmoil today
• Editorial: U.S. can’t run auto companies

Detroit News:

Obama forces Wagoner out at GM

Posted at the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs:

BIG THREE RESTRUCTURAL PLANS PRESENTED TO CONGRESS

December 2, 2008

Click for Ford Motor Company’s Report and Restructural Plan Presented to Congress Click for Ford Motor Company’s Restructural Plan Appendix Powerpoint Click for General Motors Corporation’s Letter about Restructural Plan  Click for General Motors Corporation’s Report and Restructural Plan Presented to Congress Click for Chrysler Corporation’s Letter about Restructural Plan Click for Chrysler Corporation’s Report and Restructural Plan Presented to Congress Click for Chrysler Corporation’s Appendix: Areas of inquiry

 

 

Coming up this morning, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs holds a hearing… 

 

US Senator Christopher J. Dodd Chairman US Senator Richard Shelby Ranking Member

Committee:

Title: The State of the Domestic Automobile Industry: Part II

Date: 12/4/08

Time: 10:00 AM

Place: 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Publication: Printable Hearing not available at this time

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Witnesses

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Panel 1   Mr. Gene L. Dodaro , Acting Comptroller General, United States Government Accountability Office Panel 2   Mr. Ron Gettelfinger , President, International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America   Mr. Alan Mulally , President and Chief Executive Officer, Ford Motor Company   Mr. Robert Nardelli , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler LLC   Mr. G. Richard Wagoner , Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors   Mr. Keith Wandell , President, Johnson Controls, Inc.   Mr. James Fleming , President, Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association   Dr. Mark Zandi , Chief Economist and Cofounder, Moody’s Economy.com Â

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You watch the hearing online here.