Canuck.... generally Ford is seen as more beneficial to Detroit in many ways... but GM in other ways....

GM has their HQ in Detroit.... and in the 90 years between 1920 and 2010 they have had 2 HQ buildings... the massive former HQ [[now the State of Michigan Building... called Cadillac Centre) in New Center.... and for about 14 years now has its' HQ in the Renaissance Center downtown.

On the other hand Ford has had its' HQ in the suburb of Dearborn [[surrounded on several sides by Detroit) since the corporation was founded. The old Henry Ford estate consisted of thousands of acres of Dearborn land that today is the nucleus of the Ford HQ, as well as thousands of acres of office, commercial and industrial space. Sadly Ford no longer has any [[significant) employee presence in Detroit.

But from a philanthropic point of view, Ford wins hands down. The Ford family and charites have contributed the founding of Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village, Henry Ford Hospital Corp... with their main campus just west of New Center. Ford family members have also been responsible for massive expansions to the College of Creative Studies [[CCS) in Midtown and now also in New Center. They have contributed to the Detroit Tricentennial, the Riverfront Conservacy, and the building of Campus Martius Park. They also donated to Ford Auditorium, which is no longer considered a suitable performance venue, and has a tentative date with the wrecking ball. There's also Ford Field.... a unique 65,000 seat stadium built into the fabric of a huge department store [[Hudsons) warehouse. There are many other areas that the Ford family/charities have contributed... perhaps some other forumers will add to the list...

One last thing.... the late Henry Ford II [[oldest grandson of the founder) arm twisted 50 other corporations to contribute to the building of the massive 7 tower Renaissance Center... which ironically is the GM HQ today.