Automobiles

Actor Clint Eastwood, who starred in a controversial Chrysler ad that aired during the Super Bowl, on Monday denied that the ad contained any political "spin."

"l am certainly not politically affiliated with Mr. Obama," Eastwood said in a statement released to Fox News. "I am not supporting any politician at this time."

Chrysler’s Super Bowl commercial featuring Clint Eastwood triggered a political fight over whether the ad endorsed President Obama's policies.

Chrysler's CEO said the Eastwood Super Bowl ad had "zero political content."

Democrats on Monday praised a Chrysler ad featuring Clint Eastwood that aired during the Super Bowl and touted the auto industry’s recovery.

Karl Rove sees politics written all over Clint Eastwood's new Chrysler ad and even compares it to "Chicago-style politics."

Your morning transportation speed-read:

Spirit Airlines is striking back against the Department of Transportation's new price advertising rules for airlines.

Detroit's Metro International Airport is refunding airlines $13.9 million.

Washington, D.C.'s MetroRail experienced a cracked rail.

The Henry Ford auto museum in metro Detroit is reopening its signature exhibit.

The Obama administration granted a $118.5 million stimulus grant to a subsidiary of Ener1.

The makers of the Chevrolet Volt sought to give the beleaguered electric car’s image a power boost Wednesday, releasing a new ad saying the car is one “America had to build.”

The 30-second commercial comes on the heels of a contentious congressional hearing this week investigating battery fires associated with the Volt.

Lawmakers questioned the safety of the vehicle after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed reports of its batteries catching on fire.

Some Republicans also said the Volt is being pushed by the Obama administration for political reasons instead of consumer demand.

But in the new commercial, Chevy said the Volt is being built “for our town, for our country, for our future.”

“This isn’t just the car we wanted to build,” a narrator says over footage of Volts being manufactured in Hamtramck, Mich. “This is the car America had to build.”

Your morning transportation speed-read:

The California state auditor has labeled a proposed high-speed railway there “risky."

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says the omission from the State of the Union does not mean the administration is giving up on rail.

A new study shows women get better deals than men when buying cars.

An Air Canada flight was grounded when a cat hid in its cockpit.

President Obama reminded an audience in Iowa Wednesday that they would probably see footage of his Republican opponents criticizing the bailouts of the U.S. auto industry in the general election campaign against the eventual GOP nominee.

“On the day I took office, it was on the verge of collapse,” Obama said of the auto industry, echoing comments he made in the State of the Union address. “And some even said we should let it die. I’ve got the clips in case … because I remember.

“They were beating the heck out of me,” Obama continued before mimicking critics of the bailouts to the U.S. auto companies in 2008 and 2009. “ 'Why are you doing this? Why are you intervening?' ”