Dana Johnson Auto Quotations

I expected our index to tick lower in March, as the effects from the Super Bowl and mild winter weather faded. Looking ahead, our index probably will settle into a lower range, as the local economy struggles to overcome restructuring in the auto sector, higher interest rates, and elevated gasoline prices.

I was really encouraged to see the rebound in activity in June and July. The local economy looks much healthier this summer than it did this past spring. However, a clear up-trend is not yet in place and probably will be slow to develop given the punishing level of energy prices and the prospect of more consolidation in the auto industry.

The reality is that many other people working in the auto industry are going to be asked to make painful adjustments, too, and a lot of people are going to say it's not worth it.

There's no question the Michigan economy and Detroit metro economy have been lagging because of continued exposure to the auto sector.

This deal gives GM a better shot at returning to profitability and generating bonuses for line workers and their salaried workers. What we should all be rooting for, no matter where we work, is that the Michigan-based auto sector becomes more competitive and more profitable.

So far, I am encouraged to see how well the regional economy has weathered the job and income losses centered in the auto manufacturing sector. Mild winter weather and the Super Bowl no doubt helped to support the economy early in 2006. As those effects fade, I would expect to see some fall off in activity over the next several months.