Granholm to woo European execs..

Detroit Free Press - www.freep.com - Granholm traveling to Europe to woo execs, meet with Zetsche Granholm traveling to Europe to woo execs, meet with Zetsche March 9, 2007 By CHRIS CHRISTOFF FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU LANSING – Gov. Jennifer Granholm said today she hopes to seal a few deals to bring automotive research jobs to Michigan, as she prepares for her second trade mission to Germany and Austria on Monday. Granholm said she’ll meet with executives from six companies that are considering new operations in the United States. She also will meet with DaimlerChrysler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche. That meeting comes as DaimlerChrysler considers selling off Chrysler. Granholm said she’ll emphasize that whatever happens to Chrysler, it should not abandon Michigan and its long history here, or its skilled workers.“They’re making some decisions,” she said. “For us to be able to really reach out and say, ‘This is home. We want our workforce to be your workforce.’”She added, “Whatever their business decision is, we want it to be a decision that benefits Michigan.”Granholm said she hopes to close the deal with a few companies to open operations in Michigan, and that she’s making a pitch to the others – as are other states and other countries. She said those companies are developing high-tech, alternative engines and power trains for vehicles. She said her sales pitch will focus on Michigan’s long experience with automotive research, manufacturing, its wealth of automotive engineers and it’s quality of life. “Michigan is the place to be if you need to do that kind of work,” she told reporters. Granholm will be joined in Europe by James Epolito, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It will be her fourth trade mission, including two to Japan.