President Barack Obama gets behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Volt with Plant Manager Teri Quigley to take it for a quick drive at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant on July 30, 2010. Photo courtesy GM / facebook / Chevrolet Volt

Hamtramck, Mich., USA - July 30, 2010

“Pretty Smooth” Obama Says After Short Spin at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant

Sitting U.S. Presidents are chauffeured pretty much everywhere they do not walk.

So it was both spontaneous and special when President Barack Obama stepped into a black Chevrolet Volt on Friday and took the shortest of test drives – about 40 feet.

President Barack Obama gets behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Volt to take it for a quick drive at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant on July 30, 2010. Photo courtesy GM / facebook / Chevrolet Volt

“Pretty smooth,” the President said as he stepped out of the Volt to resume his tour of the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant.

President Barack Obama and Detroit-Hamtramck Plant Manager Teri Quigley take a look at the 2011 Chevrolet Volt on July 30, 2010. Photo courtesy GM / facebook / Chevrolet Volt

The impromptu drive occurred after consultations among the Secret Service and Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, who said he hoped the Volt had an air bag. In fact, it has eight air bags.

Chevrolet Volt Photo courtesy GM / facebook / Chevrolet Volt

Gibbs confirmed it was a highly unusual, though not unprecedented, opportunity for Obama.

Chevrolet Volt Photo courtesy GM / facebook / Chevrolet Volt

The President last drove a private vehicle three to four months ago at a Secret Service training facility.

President Barack Obama and Detroit-Hamtramck Plant Manager Teri Quigley talk with an employee on July 30, 2010. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt will be produced at this plant. Photo courtesy GM / facebook / Chevrolet Volt

During remarks at the plant, Obama referred to his other car, a specially built Cadillac limousine.

President Barack Obama speaks to a crowd at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant on July 30, 2010. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt will be produced at this plant. Photo courtesy GM / facebook / Chevrolet Volt

“Now, I have to tell you some of you saw me drive a Volt about 12 inches. They don't let me drive much these days,” Obama said.
“But the Cadillac that I drive in is made right here. I got to admit the Secret Service soups it up a little bit.”

http://www.gm.com/corporate/news-and-events/

President Obama Visits Volt Assembly Plant in Detroit-Hamtramck

Chevrolet Volt On July 30, President Barack Obama visited the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, where the Chevrolet Volt will be assembled.

Chevrolet Volt Photo courtesy GM / facebook / Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet also announced it will increase the U.S. production capacity of the Volt by 50 percent in 2012 due to strong public interest.

President Barack Obama speaks to a crowd at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant on July 30, 2010. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt will be produced at this plant. Photo courtesy GM / facebook / Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet Volt Today, we're excited to announce that, because of the great demand for the Volt, we're increasing our production capacity for 2012 by 50% - from 30,000 to 45,000.

President Barack Obama speaks to a crowd at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant on July 30, 2010. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt will be produced at this plant. Photo courtesy GM / facebook / Chevrolet Volt

This news comes the same day that President Barack Obama is touring our Detroit-Hamtramck facility, where the Volt is being assembled.

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