UAW visits Auto Academy

Last month, Ron Gettlefinger, President of the UAW came to the Auto Academy and visited the West Philly Hybrid X Team. For those of you who don't know this abbreviation, UAW stands for the United Auto Workers. The whole name of this union is the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. But mostly, they are known as the UAW, and their members build cars.

During Mr. Gettelfinger’s visit, four members of the team gave excellent speeches about our history and our current projects. We explained that we have created a business plan to build 10,000 hybrid cars a year in Philadelphia when we win the Progressive Automotive X Prize.

He told us a little about what it is that he does and how much he liked and enjoyed hearing about what we were doing. He also read us a letter from the UAW and presented us with a very generous donation in the sum of $10,000.

After our little classroom meeting and Q & A session, we headed out into the shop where Mr. Priess, Mr. Hauger and various students explained to Mr. Gettelfinger and other union officials about our entries in the Progressive Automotive X Prize competition. We laughed and had a good time while he was there and we even took a team photo with him.

We will be looking for the UAW to visit us again when we win the X Prize. Thank you UAW!