KIRKVILLE -- Some unexpected good economic news from Ford Motor Company is raising hopes that America's auto industry may be recovering.   Ford announced Tuesday first quarter profits of $2.1 billion.

Other U.S. automakers are also showing signs of recovery. Chrysler Group announced first quarter profits of $143 million and General Motors Company repaid its entire $4.7 billion loan back to the federal government 5 years ahead of schedule.

Ford says, it's boosting North American production in the second quarter, and that could mean more hiring.

The apparent recovery in the U.S. auto industry is good news for local manufacturers like Manth Brownell. The Madison County company makes precision machine parts for the auto industry. Manth Brownell's president, Wes Skinner, says the company has seen an increase in orders from the auto companies. " People who are in the auto parts industry really feel good about where things are because industry is really coming back strong," Skinner says.

In response to the increased demand Manth Brownell has added more than $700,000 in new equipment and the company says it is looking to hire more operators. "I think U.S. operators are finally making cars that people want to buy," Skinner says.

Click on the link for information on jobs at Manth Brownell.