UNDATED  (WKZO) --  The Auto makers released positive sales reports on Friday for 2012, and the analysts say that 2013 should be as good or even better for the auto industry.

Upjohn Institute economist George Erickcek says that’s really good news for Michigan, which has tried to diversify, but with only limited success. He says for every auto job it creates other 3.5-jobs in the economy. He says in west Michigan the impact varies.   

Holland and Battle Creek have a number of auto parts plants and have thrived as a result.  Kalamazoo has very few auto parts makers but it’s still doing well because it has diversified.   He says almost all of Michigan’s recovery since the Great Recession is due to the comeback of the auto industry.