DC Politicos Prefer Imports

September 3, 2002

WASHINGTON -- The AP is reporting that the treasury secretary tools around in his Audi roadster. Congressman Honda drives a Toyota. The secretary of state's taste in cars is as international as his job.

Americans love their cars, all right. And people in Washington don't see eye to eye with the heartland when it comes to choosing wheels. In the Midwest, they drive American. In the capital, people like cars that come from farther away than Detroit.

The limousines that glide through Washington may be as American as the flags snapping from some of their gleaming black hoods. Out back, in exclusive government parking spots, it's a different story.

A workday stroll along parking enclaves just outside the shared grounds of the White House, Treasury Department and Old Executive Office Building finds, in one typical stretch, a BMW next to a Volvo next to a Nissan Xterra SUV and then, finally, a Ford Expedition.

Followed by a BMW, a Porsche Boxster and more exotica. Ari Fleischer, President George W. Bush's spokesman, drives a Saab.

Less expensive imports line parking spaces elsewhere downtown. Research finds Washington is one of the strongest markets in the country for imports and one of the weakest for domestic brands.

Secretary of State Colin Powell, a longtime "Volvo nut" and amateur mechanic, once owned three Volvos, an aide says. He's now down to one. A Chrysler PT Cruiser is one of his latest acquisitions.

And therein lies a problem: These days, what's an American car?

The Cruiser is built in Mexico for Chrysler, the American nameplate still considered one of North America's automakers despite its ownership by DaimlerChrysler AG of Germany.

Although it's a Japanese company, this summer Toyota celebrated the production of its 10 millionth vehicle made in North American factories.

And Ford owns Volvo.

With three young children, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and his wife, from Michigan, drive Chrysler minivans that are nine and five years old.

Tommy Thompson, the health and human services secretary and a former Wisconsin governor, favors his 1997 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle. "Made right there in Milwaukee," said spokesman Tony Jewell.

President George W. Bush drives a white Ford F250 Super Duty pickup on his Texas ranch.