INDIANAPOLIS - President Barack Obama made his fifth trip to Indianapolis Friday. The visit was making up for a trip that was meant to take place last month.
His goal this time was to highlight the hybrid transmissions made at Allison Transmission.
Gov. Mitch Daniels, Congressman Andre Carson, Butler University basketball coach Brad Stevens, Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard greeted the president at the airport.
"This is where the jobs of the future are at," the president told workers at Allison. About two years ago, Allison Transmission received a $63 million economic stimulus grant.
"The economic momentum that's taking place here at Allison is taking place across the country," he said. "Over the last 14 months, a little bit over a year, we've added more than 2 million jobs in the private sector."
The work at Alison Transmission not only provides clean energy, but President Obama says it can spur economic growth and make a big difference at the gas pump.
"I have proposed a $7,500 tax rebate for electric vehicles. So if you do have that old beater you want to get rid of and you want to buy a new car, choosing an electric car you can get a huge rebate," he said.
"I like it cause he talked about fuel economy. This will help Allison out so we will use this technology to help out the country," said one worker.
See a slide show of the president's visit.
"Good to hear. The way he told us the facts about the money we spend about the jobs coming to US," said another.
The president commended Allison for the 50 new jobs it has already created and the 200 it says are coming.
"I don't want the new breakthrough technologies and the new manufacturing taking place in China and India. I want all those new jobs right here in Indiana, right here in the United States of America with American workers, American knowhow and American ingenuity," he said.
This is the president's fifth trip to Indiana so clearly keeping the Hoosier state remains a priority for his re-election.
"Absolutely he can win Indiana. He won it last time. He won, not by a large margin, but this year he will have a record to run on and we relish the opportunity to talk about that record," said Robin Winston, WTHR Democratic analyst.
The crowd of workers, Democrats and even a few Republicans are anxious for that debate to begin.
"He needs to win Indiana to be re-elected. There is a sense of voter remorse all over the state," said Pete Seat, Indiana Republican party.
Republicans say the deciding issue will be the economy. The president agrees.
"We got high gas prices that have been eating away at your paycheck and that is a head wind we've got to confront," said Obama.
Regarding high gas prices, Obama said, "I confess it's been a while since I filled up. Secret Service does remind me to fill up my motorcade....It is a huge strain on a lot of people but if we can transition to new technologies that's what's gonna make a difference over the long term."
Obama said he was working to reduce the amount of oil the country imports by one third over the nexct decade. In the short term, he said the country must "do everything we can to encourage safe and responsible oil production."
"American oil production has reached its highest level since 2003. We're producing more oil here than ever. But the challenge is we've only got about two to three percent of the world's oil reserves and we use 25 percent of the world's oil. We can't just drill our way out of the problem."
Part of the solution, he said, was in biofuels and in making cars more energy efficient.
After his Indianapolis appearance, the president headed for Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he addressed 2,000 troops.
About Allison
Allison is best known for big transmissions for trucks, buses, industrial and military equipment like tanks. It is also the world's largest producer of what are called "hybrid propulsion systems".
About 4,000 buses around the world already use them, including 11 Indy Go buses. The technology has been adapted for shuttle buses and trucks.
As the vehicle stops, the breaks generate electricity, the electricity is stored in batteries. The batteries power electric motors to help the truck get moving again.
"Any vocation where there is a lot of starting and stopping every time they are slowing down or stopping, we can save fuel and avoid burning diesel and helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And it will make business sense for the owners as diesel prices continue to increase so there is a business proposition and a value proposition for the end users we are hoping this hybrid will fit," said Laurie Tuttle, Allison Transmission.
Technology is touted as increasing fuel economy by at least 25 percent.
"I think this technology will be very ,very valuable. Especially as fuel prices continue to increase being able to save 25 percent, 35 percent of the fuel consumed on a work truck of this nature, will be terrific," Tuttle said.
Allison has 2,500 employees in Indiana. 200 of them work on the hybrid products. The company plans to hire another 200 employees in the year and a half.
Air Force One touched down in Indianapolis shortly ahead of the scheduled 11:20 am time.
Workers at Allison Transmission await the president.
The president speaks at Allison Transmission.
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