General Motors ruled U.S. auto sales for a century, but Toyota is closing in. The American automaker is increasing profits while selling fewer vehicles as its rival pursues an opposite approach.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, donning a yellow safety vest and goggles, celebrated a ribbon-cutting at a once-imperiled factory this week in Lansing, Mich. General Motors had scrapped its plans for the electric-vehicle battery plant, built with LG Energy Solution, and sold its stake in 2024.

Now, the factory was starting production after Toyota agreed to shift a $1.5 billion order there. It wasn't lost on the crowd that batteries made at the plant would go to a Japanese rival, not hometown hero GM. When asked, Whitmer demurred: "My goal is always to make sure the investment happens here," she said. "And that it ultimately produces good-paying jobs."