auto industry

In a state so auto-industry dependent, it would seem dubious to call for GM and Chrysler to go through the regular bankruptcy process with all their uncertainties and pain.

Experts inside and outside the industry at the time and since said bankruptcies would have meant millions of jobs lost.

But Romney's position could appeal to many Michigan conservatives who opposed the bailouts.

Michigan is encouraging companies to look beyond the auto industry to help the state thrive. One manufacturer makes clothing for auto-making robots.

Now it's using its expertise to expand into the world of fashion, producing blue jeans inspired by the Motor City.

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President Obama visited a Ford plant in Chicago Thursday. He took credit for bringing the auto industry back from the brink, saying his decisions -- unpopular at the time -- made the turnaround possible.

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President Obama went to Michigan on Friday, the "ground zero" of the recession, to kick off a campaign highlighting the turnaround in the U.S. auto industry.

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After weeks of recalls and stumbles, the scion of the Toyota family spoke directly to the American people about the company's greatest crisis in the United States.

Auto industry observers say he did a good job conveying his concern for customers but left other critical questions unanswered.

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In all, 21 Chrysler and GM plants will be closed permanently or idled over the next few years. In addition to losing thousands of jobs, it can mean a substantial loss of tax revenue.

Some cities have used the massive vacant auto plants in attempts to reinvent their economies.

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When Congress passed a new law to give people up to $4,500 to junk their old cars and buy new, more efficient ones, the auto industry cheered.

But some charities say they'll be the unintended victims of this program, and so will the low-income people they try to help.

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