Ford lauds Obama for industry rescue

Ford, in Washington to deliver an action list from the National Summit on the economy held in Detroit last June, said that Obama had stabilized not just GM and Chrysler but also auto suppliers. Ford said his meeting with Obama in the Oval Office lasted less than 15 minutes and was "a courtesy call."

"He was obviously interested in how the industry was going, and I complimented him on how he handled the industry," Ford said.

The meeting came ahead of Ford and Beth Chappell, president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Club, dropping off "America's To-Do List" at the U.S. Commerce Department. The 10-item list includes boosting science education, creating a national energy policy and spurring a revival in U.S. manufacturing.

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said the items "dovetail with what the administration is already trying to do."