Tim Allen touting GM in new Chevy commercial - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(07/31/12) - Tim Allen is back in the advertising business - but he's not promoting Michigan - he's touting the state's highest-profile industry.

The newest Chevrolet commercial, meant to re-instill GM consumer confidence, makes a bold claim. "Chevrolet had the greatest year in our history last year," the commercial says.

Although memories of the automaker in bankruptcy are still fresh, a local economist says there is truth in the statement.

"GM was able to shed a lot of costs in bankruptcy, they dumped a lot of their bad assets, a lot of legacy costs in old GM and VEBA. So it's a combination of sales rising, but more importantly with costs falling allowing profits to go up," said Chris Douglas, UM-Flint economics professor.

With Mid-Michigan's economy rebounding slower than most areas of the country, we asked a local dealership about their bottom line.

Car sales and consumer confidence are up at Hank Graff in Davison.

"It's been a tough go for a while here in Michigan and here in Flint, but there's definitely an uptick and a better feeling, if nothing more," said Chris Graff of Hank Graff Chevrolet.

Perhaps that voice famous for promoting Michigan's beauty can help keep GM on the road to recovery.