'Green' Cars Hailed as Savior of Ford, Michigan Economy

We were told all throughout the 2008 presidential campaign and on up into the debate over the stimulus that the way out of the current economic malaise is through growing a green economy. "NBC Nightly News" is still on message.

On the May 6 broadcast of "Nightly News," anchor Brian Williams explained that Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) didn't accept federal bailout money, but all the while it has been producing green cars - as if the two were related.

However, Ford's success has little to do with the green cars, but instead its success with its restructuring plan, as a May 6 Reuters story pointed out.

"Ford Motor Co remains on track in its restructuring and has sufficient liquidity to fund the plan which includes conversion of plants and investment in future products, company executives said. Ford, the only U.S. automaker not operating under bailout funds, also has continued to consolidate its dealer network, but sees no need for the type of aggressive culling rivals GM and Chrysler plan"

But is was the new green Ford plant that was portrayed was the driver of recovery for the entire company, despite its being just a drop in the bucket when the plant has only 3,200 workers while unemployment rates are over 12 percent in Michigan...

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