Debbie Dingell, the wife of Energy and Commerce Chairman Emeritus John Dingell (D-Mich.), has been hired by the American Automotive Policy Council, a new coalition of domestic automakers Ford Motor Co., the Chrysler Group and General Motors Corp.

“Debbie Dingell has a well-established reputation for being a passionate champion of U.S. manufacturing and competitiveness and we are very pleased to have her guiding this important new initiative,— new AAPC president Stephen Collins said in a statement.

“AAPC looks forward to working with other groups with similar interests to advocate for policies that will create solid new jobs in manufacturing, build up America’s manufacturing capabilities, and accelerate the revitalization of the US economy.—

Dingell’s exact role at the new group is unclear. She was a longtime GM executive, and the new organization on Friday said only that she will “spearhead the group’s manufacturing initiative.—

Dingell’s departure from the automaker in August coincided with a massive management realignment at GM, which emerged from bankruptcy last summer. In June the fabled automaker was purchased by the U.S. government, Canadian authorities and the company’s bondholders.