DETROIT — On Thursday, Janaury 16, dozens of reporters gathered at Cobo Hall inside of the 2014 North American International Auto Show to witness Vice President Joe Biden give a speech about American’s future dependence on the auto industry and manufacturingå. 

“This is going to be the American century for manufacturing,” Biden told the crowd. “Mark my words. Not just the auto industry … manufacturing is coming back to America.”

As Vice President, he and President Barack Obama used the auto bailout and apparent turnaround of the U.S. automotive industry as a campaign talking point during the 2012 Presidential election. One of Biden’s signature quotes was, “bin Laden is dead, and General Motors is alive.” 

“What a difference five years makes,” Biden said to auto executives, noting that in 2009 car sales plunged and many questioned whether the auto industry could survive the recession. Auto sales have surged in recent months and climbed back to precrisis levels.

But during his time there, Biden wasn’t all business. He addressed his love for cars and related his family ties to the auto industry. His father was a car salesman, also heaped praise on Ford Motors, Chrysler Group LLC and General Motors for some of their new models.

The vice president has a 1967 Corvette Stingray that his father bought him as a wedding gift. He lamented that the Secret Service doesn’t allow him to drive it anymore due to security reasons, but that hasn’t stopped him from getting behind the wheel in his driveway at his home in Delaware.

He said he told his Secret Service agent last year “either get in the passenger seat with me or shoot me, because I’m moving.” Mr. Biden said he did a 60-foot burnout—in his driveway, not on a public road.

Prior to Biden’s speech, he and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan had a late evening dinner the night before. Duggan told reporters that Biden’s enthusiastic support for the auto industry makes him a soldier for Motor City.

Duggan referred to Biden as one of the “fiercest advocates for supporting our car companies in the White House,” and said he was as a “true champion of the American auto industry.”

“Detroit never forgets those who were with us when we were down and we are so glad you are here when we are succeeding,” Duggan said.

During his speech, Biden also touched base on Detroit’s bankruptcy, stating that he fully believes Detroit will be able to make a turn-around, much like the auto industry.

He said the automakers success comes in large part from significant hiring, adding that they aren’t “just jobs, these are middle-class jobs — jobs upon which you can raise a family.” There’s also the psychological boost to a region whose primary industry is regaining market share, making award-winning vehicles and hosting an auto show that draws about 800,000 people.

“Just like the automobile industry came back, Detroit is going to come back,” Biden said. “It’s not only an important city but it’s an iconic city. It symbolizes the manufacturing might of the United States of America.”