Obama tours Detroit auto show

Associated Press

DETROIT

President Barack Obama hailed the revival of the nation’s auto industry Wednesday while acknowledging the water crisis in nearby Flint, Mich., saying the detection of high levels of lead serves as a reminder that the government can’t shortchange basic services.

Speaking to auto workers after taking in the North American International Auto Show, Obama said, “I know that if I was a parent up there, I would be beside myself that my kid’s health could be at risk.” He said he met with Flint’s mayor the day before and promised federal help.

“I told her we are going to have her back and all the people of Flint’s back as they work their way through this terrible tragedy,” he said.

Obama sought to highlight how his administration provided the auto industry with billions of dollars in capital during the heart of the Great Recession even as many others were calling for the government to focus its resources elsewhere. He said the outcome of his administration’s bet is evident through a much-improved economy. Americans purchased nearly 17.5 million vehicles last year, a record.

“What’s true of Detroit is true of the country,” he said. “I want people to remember how far we’ve come.”

Obama spoke at the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources, the national headquarters of the joint relationship between the United Auto Workers and General Motors. His visit took place as long-standing problems with the drinking water in Flint have begun to capture the nation’s attention.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder asked Obama on Wednesday to reconsider his denial of a federal disaster declaration to address the drinking water crisis, saying its severity poses an “imminent and long-term threat” to residents. Obama declared an emergency – qualifying the city for $5 million – but determined that it is not a disaster based on the legal requirement that such additional relief is intended for natural events, fires, floods or explosions.

The president spent nearly an hour at the auto show, looking at crash-avoidance technology from ZF TRW and sitting in a 2017 Chevy Bolt EV, an all-electric car that will be available late this year. He also looked at a new Chrysler Pacifica minivan.

After arriving in Detroit, Obama had lunch at a brewery with Mayor Mike Duggan, a GM employee and others, then stopped at watch maker Shinola before heading to the show. He eventually veered off in the direction of a bright yellow 2017 Chevrolet Corvette.

“That one is juiced up a little more,” he said.

The U.S. treasury invested about $80 billion in the auto industry during the last recession. After counting loan repayments, dividends and stock sales, the federal government recovered $70.5 billion.