Wanxiang America Corp., the U.S. unit of the big Chinese auto parts company, is using Republican-leaning Mercury/Clark & Weinstock in connection with its $250M bailout of bankrupt advanced electric battery maker A123 Systems.

M/C&A heavyweight Vin Weber, the former Minnesota Congressman and frequent political commentator, is on the WAC team with Alan Elias, former aide to former Wisconsin senator Norm Coleman and the Badger State’s current Senator Ron Johnson, and Ed Kutler, who was senior advisor to former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

The Omnicom unit is working on the WAC business with WPP unit Glover Park Group, which has a Democratic tilt.

WAC is fighting the Michigan bankruptcy court for the right to retain $125 in tax credits that were awarded to A123 before it went belly-up.

A123, which received federal stimulus money, is a favorite target of Republicans unhappy with President Obama’s economic recovery program.

Edelman and ICR handled A123's IPO in 2009.