Ambassador White promotes U.S. auto industry in Norway

January, 2012

Ambassador White got to test drive the Tesla Roadster.

Ambassador White, together with the Embassy Foreign Commercial Section, has extensively promoted the U.S. auto industry during the first weeks of January.

On Sunday January 8, the Embassy commercial section facilitated the participation of Ambassador White at the Ferdinand Ice Festival in Engerdal Municipality. A three mile long and 120 feet wide lane was cleared on the Vurrusjøen lake by a local racing club, and main host Tesla Motors gave Ambassador White the opportunity to test the Tesla Roadster but also other cars such as Chevrolet Camaro (convertible). Through this event, Tesla Motor was able to demonstrate their technology’s ability to perform under subzero conditions to drivers, press and spectators from Norway and other European countries.

Furthermore, on January 19, a press event to re-launch the Jeep brand in Norway was hosted at the Ambassador’s residence. The U.S. auto manufacturer Jeep has not had a representation in Norway for the last few years, and most of top auto media in Norway showed up to see the cars and learn more about Jeep. With nine Jeeps lined up outside the Ambassador’s Residence Villa Otium, General Manager Frank Dunvold of new Jeep importer RSA Bil expressed great appreciation of the Embassy’s active involvement and said that this event is likely to play an instrumental role in reaching significant sales figures for 2012 and the years to come.

Despite a number of legislative setbacks over the last years, sales of U.S. manufactured vehicles in Norway are now expected to increase. The U.S. Embassy continued promotion of brands such as Cadillac, Tesla and Jeep will hopefully strengthen the commercial ties between the U.S. and Norway.

Read TV2's story form the Ferdinand Ice Festival
Read Aftenposten's article from the Jeep event.