Obama Formally announces the start of tighter auto fuel efficiency standards

President Obama appears not to be afraid to take his message to the people regarding his economic recovery message. He defended the controversial auto bailout at the General Motors plant in Lordstown, Ohio, located between Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio. At this address to the GM autoworkers, President Obama officially announced the start of tighter auto fuel efficiency standards. One of the main reasons for doing so is to reduce dependence on foreign oil. As President Obama said, "In the midst of a deep recession and financial crisis, the collapse of the auto industry would have caused enormous damage to our economy," Obama told and enthusiastic crowd of autoworkers. "So we intervened for one simple and compelling reason: Your survival and the success of our economy depended on it."
GM received $19.4 billion before their bankruptcy filings, and then gave another $30 billion to GM for funding of GM's operations during and after he bankruptcy process. President Obama then indicated what kind of fighter he is concerning the long-term recovery process of the auto industry. "As long as you've still got an ounce of fight left in you, I'll have a ton of fight left in me," Obama said. "I've said it before, I'm skinny but I'm tough."

In the following video, Obama announces the new rules. Speaking at an auto assembly plant, President Obama calls for national gas mileage standards.