WASHINGTON - VICE President Dick Cheney says it ultimately will be up to the new Obama administration to resolve the crisis in the US auto industry.

Mr Cheney says it's a difficult problem and that President George W. Bush has done his best to manage it. It was just on Friday when Bush ordered an emergency bailout of the industry by offering US$17.4 billion (S$25.4 billion) in loans. The aid comes attached with tough concessions from the carmakers and their workers.

Mr Cheney says the bailout is only a short-term plan and only goes so far. The vice president says it will be a problem that Mr Barack Obama will have to deal with after he takes over on Jan 20.

Mr Cheney made the comments on 'Fox News Sunday.' -- AP