He said the government would own 60 percent of the new GM, and acknowledged that could prove controversial with some.
Seeking to ease those concerns, Obama said, "What I am not doing, what I have no interest in doing, is running GM."
Speaking at the White House, the president said auto executives "will call the shots and make the decisions about turning this company around." He said the government would refrain from playing a management role in all but the most critical areas.
"Our goal is to help GM get back on its feet ... and get out quickly," he said of the federal government.
Obama spoke as GM entered bankruptcy court at the same time Chrysler was looking to emerge after a two-month reorganization. Over the weekend, a bankruptcy judge gave the No. 3 automaker approval to sell most of its assets to Italy's Fiat, part of a plan under which the U.S. government will own somewhat less than 10 percent of the firm.
Ford Motor Co., the other large U.S. automaker, has said it can weather the current economic and industry crises on its own.
Under the GM plan envisioned by Obama's auto industry taskforce, the federal government will wind up with 60 percent ownership in the one-time pillar of American capitalism.
That comes in addition to its smaller stake in Chrysler, as well as significant interests in banks, insurance giant AIG and two mortgage industry giants, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
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