Dignitaries launch the Cruze

Chevy Cruze launch

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Lordstown Cruze - Kickoff

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LORDSTOWN — Recapping our earlier live Twitter feeds at @Vindicator, here are some highlights of today's Chevrolet Cruze launch at the GM Lordstown facility:

Led by the Boardman High School Marching Band, Gov. Ted Strickland rode into the launch ceremony in the first Cruze. He told the hundreds in attendance: "I learned a long, long time ago that you can never count out the Mahoning Valley. The only thing stronger than Valley steel are Valley people."

Addressing critics of Ohio's manufacturing future, Strickland said: "I have four words for them: Look at this car!"

GM North America President Mark Reuss told those gathered: "The rebirth of the American economy starts right here at Lordstown."

U.S. Sen Sen. Sherrod Brown added, "Every time someone buys a Cruze it means jobs for the Mahoning Valley; jobs for northern Ohio." He was followed by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan who proclaimed: "We announce to the world here today: The Mahoning Valley is back."

Local 1112 President Jim Graham summed up the event saying, "We will compete with anything, anything the Asian market throws at us and we will beat them." Added Local 1714 President Dave Green: "We're gonna make you proud you supported us."