According to official reports, the Obama administration has invited major players in the U. S. auto industry to a conference in Washington, which will focus on Michigan's economy.

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich, said, "There is much to do. We need to strengthen the partnership between industry and government."

He also said that the government's response to the downturn in the automobile industry "can't just be a one-time reaction to a crisis."

The Detroit News reported on Saturday that financial and political luminaries expected to attend include White House National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.

Scheduled for Tuesday, the conference will also focus on helping Detroit weather the downturn.

Mayoral spokeswoman Karen Dumas said that Bing "plans to outline his vision for Detroit along with the connectivity and roles that the federal government and philanthropic community can play in realizing this vision." (With Inputs from Agencies)