Is There Any Faith Left in Detroit?

Apparently, the Presidential Task Force assigned to solve Detroit's car crisis are not particularly fond of the American automobile--not if their personal car choices are to be believed.

Between the eight members of the Task Force, their 10 senior aides, and the newly added Steve Rattner, who was originally slated to be America's Car Czar, there are a grand total of three American auto owners. Maybe that should be enough of a hint that we've been making horrible excuses for cars for too long and that the rest of the world has surpassed us in automobile design and production.


Steve Rattner, a private equity investor whose auto investing experience seems to consist of owning four cars, was just added to the roster. Apparently, his private equity background is supposed to complement the experience of Ron Bloom, the union-friendly Man of Steel. Fortunately, both of these titans of industry own American cars--Bloom owns an aging Ford Taurus and Rattner owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car (along with a 2008 Lexus sedan, 2007 Audi convertible, and 2006 Mercedes SUV).

As for the co-chairs of the task force, Treasury Secretary Geithner and White House Economic Guru (unofficial title), neither owns an American car.

For the car choices of more task force members, check out The Detroit News. For more on the addition of Mr. Rattner, check out the Wall Street Journal.