GM spokesman: Future looks good

This is still a GM town and Valley, the company spokesman says.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HOWLAND -- General Motors looks forward to a viable future in the Mahoning Valley, despite the impending cancellation of the midnight shift this summer, its spokesman said Thursday.
"We do, indeed, have a proud past, and we really think that we have a very exciting future at Lordstown," said Tom Mock, GM Lordstown communications manager.
With the Lordstown plant's 40th anniversary coming later this month, Mock spoke to Trumbull County high school valedictorians and school administrators. The occasion was the 21st annual Jerry Raupach Valedictorians' Brunch in memory of the late Brookfield schools superintendent.
"We still believe that this is a GM town. It's a GM Valley," Mock told the audience at the Grand Pavilion at the Avalon Inn and Resort the morning after the first news reports of the plant's return to two shifts.
GM will begin building the Pontiac G-5 at Lordstown on June 19 for sale throughout North America, and the company hopes to build about 50,000 of them, Mock said.
The Lordstown-made Chevrolet Cobalt, which was GM's best-selling car last year, "continues to stay relatively strong," Mock said. "We're hoping that this market share can pick up and we can get some more momentum going and get our third shift back on track."
Recent trends
Citing competition from foreign automakers, Mock noted that GM's share of the automotive market has fallen from 50 percent 20 to 30 years ago to 25 percent today.
With today's high energy prices, however, he said a small car is needed, and the Cobalt is "an outstanding small car."
In the auto industry, where two-shift operation is the norm, he observed: "We've been fortunate to be one of very few plants that has operated on three shifts for many years." The Lordstown plant added its third shift in the mid-1990s.
The $1 billion investment GM has made to convert the Lordstown plant from Cavalier to Cobalt production has been one of GM's biggest investments in this new millennium, Mock said.
With 5,700 employees, the Lordstown complex churned $674 million in payroll and benefits into the community last year.
Mock also urged the valedictorians to surround themselves with good people when they assume leadership roles;; "never be satisfied with the status quo;" develop a routine to take care of their minds and bodies; and maintain a strong relationship with God and their families.
milliken@vindy.com