Admittedly it took a massive natural disaster in Japan hampering Toyota's ability to compete, but
General Motors reclaimed its title as the top automaker in the world in 2011:
G.M. said Thursday that it sold 9,025,942 vehicles last year, 7.6 percent more than in 2010. Its closest competitor was Volkswagen, whose sales grew 14 percent to 8.156 million, with Toyota falling to third place.
Sure does look like Mitt Romney's criticisms of President Obama's handling of the auto industry were ... just nowhere near the target.
Increased sales for domestic manufacturers mean more jobs—and not just making cars. Many plants are adding third shifts, and as they add hours and workers, there's a ripple effect through local economies. For instance, workers at one Ohio GM plant often get meals at:
Ross’ Eatery & Pub, which gets 75 percent of its restaurant business from the three shifts at the Lordstown complex that builds the Chevrolet Cruze sedan. The restaurant now runs from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. to accommodate the new shift, expanding last year from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
“We had been treading water for what seemed like an eternity -- it was just me, my mom and my aunt running the place” during the auto crisis, said owner Earl Ross, 36. He now employs 20, up from the three family members just a couple of years ago, to supply the plant with fried chicken, burgers and his signature $6.99 Philly steak sandwich.
I can't imagine Obama is too nervous about this drawing attention in Ohio.