GOP candidates tour Michigan auto show

DETROIT, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- A day before the Michigan primary, Republican presidential hopefuls made their campaign pitches at the North American International Auto Show.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee each visited the car show ahead of Tuesday's primary, The Detroit News reported Monday.

Romney touted his roots to Michigan, saying his family ties to the auto industry and business experience would allow him to look out for the state's interests in the White House.

"If I am president, I will not rest until Michigan is back. Michigan can once again lead the world's automotive industry," he said at the Detroit Economic Club.

Romney also vowed to eliminate what he called burdensome regulations, taxes and litigation costs that hurt automakers and other businesses, the newspaper reported.

He said he would make the tax credit for research and development permanent and said he would ensure that international trade deals don't hurt automakers or other American businesses.

"Washington also has to stop loading Detroit down with unfunded mandates. Discontinuous CAFE leaps, uncoordinated with the domestic manufacturers, and absent consideration of competitiveness, kills jobs and imperils the entire industry," he said.