Josh Haner/The New York Times

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Mitt Romney came here Thursday afternoon to pick up the endorsement of Gov. Rick Snyder, playing up his hometown roots and playing up the state of the Detroit auto industry, which has revived following a government bailout.

“I love the auto industry. I want to see it thrive and grow,” Mr. Romney told the friendly crowd, which included his brother and one of his sisters. “I’m glad it went through a managed bankruptcy process, which I recommended from the very beginning to shed unnecessary costs and get its footing again. I’m delighted it’s profitable.”

He added, “In my view, this auto industry can continue to lead the world and must continue to lead the world to keep Detroit with a vibrant and prosperous future.”

Mr. Romney made his comments on the same day that General Motors reported a quarterly profit of $472 million, meaning that the company’s hourly workers in the United States will receive record profit-sharing checks next month of up to $7,000.

“In my view, this auto industry can continue to lead the world and must continue to lead the world to keep Detroit with a vibrant and prosperous future,” said Mr. Romney, who did not mention the Big Three automaker by name.

Mr. Snyder’s endorsement comes as Mr. Romney is battling a challenge from Rick Santorum, who is leading in many polls in Mr. Romney’s home state, where his father, George Romney, served as governor for three terms.

It is unclear how much the support of Mr. Snyder, a political novice himself who was just elected in 2010, will help Mr. Romney here. Mr. Snyder’s job approval ratings have been low, but climbing.

In his endorsement, Mr. Snyder played up Mr. Romney’s business experience.

“He has a great combination of private sector experience,” Mr. Snyder said, “of knowing what it takes to create a job, and how difficult that is, how to succeed in the private sector. He also brings that experience of being the chief executive of a state, of understanding what it is to be in the public sector, and to be successful in running a state. That’s the experience we need in Washington.”

The “icing on the cake,” Mr. Snyder added, is that Mr. Romney is a native son.

“We have the right man here to help lead our country, but there’s a special bonus,” Mr. Snyder said. “He was born and raised a Michigander, he understands our state, he’s one of us. And that’s another area of particular pride. “

When it was his turn, Mr. Romney also played up his local roots, offering “a little history.”

“I was born and raised here,” he said. “I love this state. It seems right here. The trees are the right height. I like seeing the lakes. I love the lakes. There’s something very special here.” (In terms of the lakes he so loves, Mr. Romney clarified: “The Great Lakes, but also all the little inland lakes that dot the parts of Michigan.”)

Mr. Romney, the son of an auto executive turned governor, continued naming the things that he loves, including cars.

“I grew up totally in love with cars,” he said. “It used to be in the 50s and 60s, if you showed me one square foot of almost any part of a car I could tell you what brand it was, the model and so forth. Now with all the Japanese cars I’m not so good at it, but I still know the American cars pretty well.”

Mr. Romney told the crowd that he drives a Mustang.

“I love American cars, and long may they rule the world,” he said. “Let me tell you, I want them to do well.”