As 4,700 lose jobs at auto plant, electric car maker lobbies for government help

California's only auto plant is closing Thursday, adding 4,700 auto workers to the ranks of the unemployed, but an electric car company that has yet to build a car is asking for public support so it can save those jobs by using the labor to build electric cars.

Aurica Motors wants to convert the New United Motor Manufacturing plant, also called NUMMI, in Fremont, Calif. to build electric cars, battery packs and charging stations. It doesn't have a deal with NUMMI to take over from Toyota, but on its Web site Aurica is asking people to supports its plan for government stimulus funding and federal Department of Energy grants to keep the plant open for the next two years while it ramps up production.