UPDATE: Ford is now out saying it was not “coerced” into pulling the ad and that the ad campaign will continue.

Wonder whatever gave the Michigan news media a contrary impression?

I told you a week ago that the White House and General Motors coordinated on GM’s ad campaign it rolled out before the 2010 general election designed to highlight the government auto bailout as successful.

Not only did the White House coordinate with GM, it is pushing for GM to rev up the ad campaign again prior to the 2012 election.

Well, if you will recall, Ford Motor Company has had out a very popular ad getting a lot of buzz. It is of a consumer saying he bought a Ford because he did not want to buy from a car company that relied the government to bail it out.

The message has been very well received in the public across partisan lines. But it turns out the White House does not like the ad campaign and views it negatively.

Michigan newspapers are reporting the White House went directly to Ford over the ad campaign and “questioned” Ford. Ford then yanked the ad.

An industry source said White House did not pressure Ford to remove the ad, but Howes suggested it was pulled in response to the call.

Regardless of the motivation, Ford’s decision points to the increasingly congested intersection of automobiles and politics. The industry undoubtedly benefited from government intervention, and Ford undoubtedly benefited from its ability to avoid a bailout.

Now, of course an industry source would say there was no White House pressure whether or not there was. There are still plenty of facts unknown right now — at least until Darrel Issa gets involved.

One fact remains clear — “Chris”, the guy in the advertisement, is a real person, not a paid actor. And the White House may be able to get Ford to yank its ad, but Chris is still out there, won’t back down, and his message still resonates.

Shame on Ford for backing down from a great ad that resonates with many people irrespective of political party affiliation.