Early interest, pre-orders accelerate for Valley-built Cruze

By GRACE WYLER

gwyler@vindy.com

north jackson

When the lease on Bobby Thomas’ 2008 Chevrolet Impala ended last month, the retired General Motors Co. superintendent decided not to get a new car.

He’s holding out to buy the Chevrolet Cruze.

“From what I’ve seen so far, I really like the looks of the car,” Thomas said. “So I picked up a used Pontiac to drive until I get my Cruze.”

Thomas, who retired from the Lordstown assembly plant in 1984, has not seen Cruze models that have been at car shows, but said he is fairly certain it will be worth the wait.

“What really interests me is that they are saying it is going to get 40 miles to the gallon,” Thomas said. “I am reasonably sure it is going to be a good car, knowing that it is GM and that they have always put out a good product.”

There has been a lot of early interest in the Cruze, said David Sabolsky, general sales manager at Spitzer Chevrolet in North Jackson. The car, which will be made in Lordstown, is set to hit showrooms in August.

“It’s incredible how many people have expressed interest in buying the Cruze already,” Sabolsky said. “I foresee lots of people pre-ordering them because of what the vehicles can do and because they are made locally.”

The addition of a third shift at the Lordstown complex could also drive sales, Sabolsky said.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.