DETROIT – Former General Motors Vice Chairman Robert Lutz said in an interview at the North American Auto Show that Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder appears to understand the importance of auto manufacturing in Michigan.

Lutz, speaking with MITechNews.Com Editor Mike Brennan, said his take on Snyder, the former CEO of Gateway computers and a long-time venture capitalist, knows auto manufacturing will create many jobs in Michigan in the future.

Snyder spoke Tuesday at an exhibit hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. in the basement Michigan Hall at Cobo Center focusing on the alternative energy products made in Michigan. The Michigan Town Hall exhibit is next to a test track where reporters could drive electric vehicles featured at the show.

Indeed, Ford Executive Chairman William Ford Jr. said earlier this week that Ford, the company founded by his great grand father, would create 7000 new jobs in Michigan through the end of 2012, as sales of its products grow.

Lutz said a key element in the future of Michigan manufacturers will be building ?Green-friendly? products. Those products range from electric hybrid vehicles, to all electric vehicles, or in Lutz? case, to electric motor scooters. Lutz put his money where his mouth is by investing in Ann Arbor based Current Motor Company, which is ramping up production of its all electric motor scooters.

Gov. Snyder, in his remarks, said the auto industry in particular and manufacturing in general is critical to Michigan?s future.

?We?re not walking away from the companies that built Michigan,? he said.

Green technology manufacturing, like the wind turbines and solar panels on display at the auto show, also offer an incredible opportunity for the state?s economy.

Gov. Snyder said he hopes to lead the revitalization of Michigan and create new jobs, including manufacturing jobs. He will push for tax and regulatory reforms as well as economic development. He wants to reinvent the state. And he?ll share his budget projections, benchmarks, and milestones during his State of the State address Jan. 19 in Lansing.

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