Obama, Kasich, others win praise at GM Lordstown

August 24, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

LORDSTOWN

Politicians, especially President Barack Obama, received praise frequently Thursday at the announcement of the next generation of the Lordstown-built Cruze.

Glenn Johnson, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112, and Dave Green, president of UAW Local 1714, credited the vision of Obama and other area politicians for supporting the auto bailout.

“Without the commitment that President Obama showed to the American worker, there would be tumbleweeds going through the parking lot across the street,” Johnson said.

“There were polls that said the president shouldn’t bail out the auto industry,” Green said. “This shows the president made a good investment.”

GM Manufacturing Manager Arvin Jones called the announcement positive news for both the company and Ohio. He said the new Cruze will pay “huge dividends” for GM, customers and the region.

“Thanks to Northeast Ohio’s supportive business climate, we’re able to build on a great foundation and steer the Chevrolet Cruze into the next generation,” Jones said in a company statement.

“A special thanks goes to Gov. John Kasich and his team at JobsOhio for their strong leadership and advocacy for GM and our employees,” Jones added.

Jones did not provide any information about potential incentives GM might have received from the state.

Rob Nichols, spokesman for Kasich, said he could not comment.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown was quick to laud the workers at Lordstown and Parma.

“GM’s investment in Lordstown and Parma is a testament to the workers in Northeast Ohio who have helped make the Cruze so successful,” Brown said. “We know how to make things in Ohio. I’m proud that both my wife and daughter have new, made-in-Ohio Cruzes.”

Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, who now serves as President Obama’s national campaign co-chairman, said GM’s announcement was just one reason why voters should support the president in November.

“Today’s announcement is just the latest example of how President Obama’s bet on Ohio auto workers is paying off,” Strickland said in a statement. “Even as recently as last week, Romney’s running mate Paul Ryan tried to convince Ohioans that the auto rescue was a mistake, claiming that it didn’t work.”

It’s important for the public to know that GM is invested in this area, said State Rep. Robert Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th. The $220 million is a big investment, he said.

Rep. Tim Ryan, of Niles, D-17 commended the relationship between GM management and the unions.

“The announcement is a testament to the hard work and cooperation of both labor and management, who never gave up on the idea of building a great car here in the Mahoning Valley” he said.