GM’s Lordstown plant makes us proud

Special to The Vindicator

It wasn’t so long ago that manufacturing jobs were the backbone of our nation’s economy. Hard-working men and women toiled day-in and day-out to make the products Americans needed, many of which were built right where they were sold. Much has changed since those days. In a post-industrial America, many assembly lines have grown quiet, many factories have grown cold and many of the goods we buy are imported from other countries.

General Motors Lordstown Assembly is different.

We’ve been building cars and trucks here since the 1960s, and show no signs of stopping. Millions of American-made vehicles have rolled off our lines, many of which have gone on to be driven by those who built them. Our proud history continues today with the production of import-fighters like the Chevy Cobalt and the Pontiac G5, both of which boast a highway fuel economy of over 35 miles per gallon.

But it’s not just about affordability or efficiency, it’s about quality. In the August issue of Road Track, Senior Editor Jim Hall said that calling the Chevy Cobalt SS “one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars ever doesn’t do it justice — it’s one of the best-handling cars, period.” Last summer, Warren Brown of The Washington Post told his readers that “the Chevrolet Cobalt is as good as the current generations of the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra or Toyota Corolla, if not better.” As good or better. Something to be proud of. Something made right here in Lordstown.

Chevy Cruze

That pride continues with the announcement that the Lordstown plant has been chosen to build the Chevy Cruze, an all-new compact car entry. With a striking design and even higher fuel economy than the Cobalt, the Cruze will be one of the most important cars built in America. The shift in consumer demand has been clear — many new car buyers want small, fuel efficient cars without sacrificing the comfort, style, safety and dependability they’ve become accustomed to. The hardworking people of Lordstown are giving them what they want – both today and tomorrow.

It’s no secret that the U.S. economy is in tough shape. But by building good cars and building them well, our local economy has prospered. Our housing market is appreciating, our community is growing, and we’re adding work, not losing it. The overwhelming response to the cars we build here and sell here is an American success story. Manufacturing jobs are still the backbone of our economy, and that’s just one of the reasons we’re proud to call Lordstown and the Mahoning Valley our home.

Editor’s note: The column was submitted by the Mahoning Valley’s Chevrolet dealers, Sweeney Chevrolet, Greenwood Chevrolet, Diane Sauer Chevrolet, Spitzer Chevrolet, Stadium Chevrolet, Columbiana Chevrolet, R.D. Banks Chevrolet, Wollam Chevrolet, Power Chevrolet, Brittain Chevrolet, Cole Valley Chevrolet, Stratton Chevrolet, Greenwood’s Hubbard Chevrolet, Quinn Chevrolet, Terry Harmon Chevrolet.