First Place Bank will buy first 3 Cruzes

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Chevrolet unveiled its new Cruze to the press Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at the Paris Auto Show. Expected to get close to 40 miles-per-gallon, the Cruze hits the European market next March. Production for U.S. sales will begin in 2010.

WARREN — First Place Bank is giving away three Chevrolet Cruze automobiles in its Race to First Place Bank Sweepstakes. The promotion begins Thursday and runs through April 30, 2010, with three winners receiving the first Chevrolet Cruze automobiles manufactured at the General Motors Lordstown Complex.

First Place Bank, a community bank headquartered in Warren, will purchase the first three Chevrolet Cruze automobiles produced for the sweepstakes. The all-new, compact sedan scheduled to go on sale in the United States during the first half of 2010. Production for North American models will take place at GM’s Lordstown Plant, while the 1.4L Turbo engine for North America will be manufactured in Flint, Mich.

According to First Place Bank Chief Exective Officer Steven Lewis, the bank is proud to play a role in helping launch the car that GM believes will be the next great automobile in its long history of popular vehicles. With 44 bank branch locations in Ohio and Michigan, the automobile industry is a major economic factor for many of the communities First Place Bank serves.

The Race to First Place Bank Sweepstakes will be announced at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 3 at the main grandstands of the Canfield Fair. Representatives from both First Place Bank and GM will make the announcement. Among those on had will be Lewis; John Donahoe, plant manager at GM Lordstown; Jim Graham, president of United Autoworkers Local 1112; and Dave Green, president of UAW Local 1714.

Beginning Thursday, those interested in participating in the sweepstakes can go to Race2FirstPlaceBank.com or visit any First Place Bank branch to receive an entry form. Each month, a qualifier will be drawn in each region and will be given a key (one from the Mahoning Valley, Cleveland and Michigan regions). In early May, the eight qualifiers from each region will come together, and the three individuals whose keys open the three Chevy Cruzes will win the cars.

Also each month from September through April, First Place Bank will be awarding one $100 gas gift card in each of its regions, Lewis said.

No purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes. Official rules and entry information can be found at Race2FirstPlaceBank.com.