Bush to meet Big 3 auto executives after election

WASHINGTON, Sep 6 (Reuters) President George W Bush will hold a twice-postponed summit with executives of the Big Three US automakers after the November election on fuel saving technology and other issues, the White House said on Tuesday.

''The White House has been in touch with all three -- and we all agree it's best to try to meet after the election because even the idea of a meeting has gotten way too mired down in politics,'' said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

Two previously scheduled meetings with the chief executives of Detroit's Big Three automakers -- Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and Chrysler Group, the North American unit of DaimlerChrysler -- were canceled because of the automakers and presidential travel.

The automakers are seeking incentives to broaden access to alternative fuels, hoping to boost their sagging finances and reduce reliance on imported oil.

The industry is eager to promote alternative fuel programs, including ethanol and ethanol blends, and fuel-cell technology, which experts say is years off but could one day be a source of energy for cars.

Bush has been pressing for alternative sources of energy to cut US dependence on foreign sources of oil.

REUTERS DH PM0707