This is Michigan

Consumers shop in those cavernous warehouse stores not for the aesthetics or service, but because they offer bargains. Maybe Detroit's best hope for revival is to sell itself as the Sam's Club of American cities.

Two Metro Detroit malls have new owners, signaling renewed interest in Michigan retail.

Shoppers aren't likely to see major changes at Westland Shopping Center in Westland or Fairlane Green in Allen Park, but the purchases show optimism that the retail market will improve.

James Sanders and his wife decided to go shopping for a new bedroom set last week after postponing the purchase for nearly a year because of the economy.

With local retail space going for bargain prices, several franchises are actively looking to expand in metro Detroit, including Biggby Coffee and Great Clips.

Ford today said it earned $2.08 billion, or 50 cents per share, during the first quarter of the year and plans to increase production of new cars and trucks by 40%, providing fresh evidence that the Dearborn automaker's turnaround plan is on track.

General Motors is to unveil a plan today to spend $890 million to upgrade five North American factories for the next generation of V8 engines, the latest set of factory upgrades in the automaker's recovery.

After four miserable years of a deep recession, one economist says he believes Michigan's economy will start growing again this year.

According to The Detroit News, Ford has officially announced its fourth straight profitable quarter in a row. The company managed to make $2.1 billion in profits over the first three months of 2010, thanks largely to a rapid increase in sales during the first part of the year. The company saw North American sales increase by around 39 percent compared to a year ago. At the same time, business is booming in China, where the Blue Oval managed to move around 84 percent more vehicles.