Steel company offers incentives to its workers who buy U.S. cars

WARREN — A steel distributor that has a warehouse here is giving its workers cash payments if they buy a car that’s made in the U.S.

Payments to workers of Sunbelt-Turret Steel and its affiliate Turret Steel Industries range from $250 to $750.

Wayne Gould, president of the companies, said the auto industry is crucial to the country.

“I don’t think we should wait for government bailouts as the only answer,” he said.

Workers will receive $250 for a vehicle purchase or lease if the vehicle is made in the United States and has a domestic parts content of at least 75 percent. An extra $250 will be added if the vehicle is from General Motors, Ford or Chrysler.

Plus, if the vehicle gets at least 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, another $250 will be added.

“With each purchase of a fuel-efficient vehicle, we are putting less dollars into the pockets of people who don’t like Americans very much,” Gould said.

Turret Steel operates a warehouse in Warren that handles solid steel bars. Company officials would not say how many employees work there. The company is based in Leetsdale, Pa. Sunbelt-Turret Steel is based in Charlotte, N.C.