Washington, D.C.--“It is a sad day for America to see General Motors (GM) declare bankruptcy. To witness what was once a pillar in American business, complete its downward spiral into bankruptcy is regrettable – not only to the millions of people whose jobs will either be lost or affected– but because it could have been avoided.

“For years, General Motors and other American automakers watched as foreign companies took the lead in exploring new technologies and hybrid cars to better develop their brand. General Motors stood by as the rest of the industry zoomed past them into the 21st Century. With GM and Chrysler in bankruptcy, America is witnessing their first automakers to be in such conditions since Studebaker. I question whether the auto industry will learn from its past errors, or whether it is determined to repeat history.

“Just two weeks ago, the Detroit Three took time away from using taxpayer bailout funds to buoy their faltering businesses to unleash their lobbying allies to attack the proposal to move towards flex-fuel vehicle production. This was only five months after the CEOs of Ford, Chrysler and GM testified before the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee that they would make 50% of their cars flex-fuel vehicles by 2012. These same CEOs stood with President Obama to applaud an agreement on CAFE standards, while their lawyers drafted bankruptcy papers and their lobbyists fought off innovation such as flex-fuel vehicles.

“Flex-fuel vehicles allow for competition and consumer choice to help end oil’s monopoly in the transportation sector. It also strips oil of its strategic status, and protects consumers from price gouging at the pump. Flex-fuel vehicles are estimated to cost only $100 more than the same car in a gasoline-only version, and some experts say the added cost could be as low as $30. It is a simple and inexpensive modification that should be standard in cars, like seatbelts or airbags.

“Now that the American taxpayers sit in the driver’s seat, we cannot miss this opportunity to make changes that will make a lasting impact on our nation for generations. We should take this sad day for GM and turn it into a brighter future for America’s automotive industry and for our nation as a whole.”