Watch CBS News

Obama Tells Autoworkers: 'America Rooting For Motor City'

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - President Barack Obama telling workers at a Ford auto plant outside Detroit that "America is rooting for the Motor City."

During his speech Wednesday at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Obama lauded Detroit's resurgence through the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.

He says the city "still faces some long challenges," but is "coming back" and that the country wants "the Motor City strong."

"We're seeing stories of young people who left town for other opportunities, didn't think they could make it here...And suddenly they're saying,, you know what? Maybe I wanna get back to Detroit, hoping to be

Detroit filed bankruptcy in July 2013 and exited Chapter 9 last month. The city wiped out and restructured about $7 billion in debt.

Obama also told the workers that the auto industry's comeback is a result of tough decisions his administration made in its early days.

"The auto industry has proved that any comeback is possible; and, by the way, so has the Motor City," the President added.

Several hundred Ford Motor Co. workers and invited guests were on hand for Obama's visit.

MORE: Obama Promotes Auto Industry Bailout As A Policy That Worked

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.