Production of Chevrolet Cruze begins in Lordstown, Ohio

Production of the much-anticipated 2011 Chevrolet Cruze was celebrated September 13 with red, white and blue models symbolically declaring that a world-class small car can be assembled in America by a domestic company.

The first vehicles for delivery to buyers were driven off the line at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio, plant in front of GM employees, dignitaries, union representatives and community members.

Cruze is already Chevrolet’s top-selling car worldwide this year, with more than 165,000 sold, and second only to the Silverado full-size pickup for all Chevrolet vehicles – even before sales begin this month in the United States.

"We are delivering a car with the quality which Americans desire matched with features they would not expect in this segment, from 40 mpg on our Eco model to 10 airbags as standard across the range,” General Motors North America president Mark Reuss said. “Of equal importance, we are working to redefine the views on a domestic carmaker building such a car here in the United States."

With a starting price of $16,995, the Cruze includes 10 air bags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing, traction control, anti-lock brakes, collapsible pedal system, and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response.

“Our new body shop is among the best in the world. Our team is inspired and energized by the build of the Cruze. It’s a safe and reliable compact car with that mid-size experience,” said Dave Green, president of UAW Local 1714 at the Lordstown Metal Center.

The Lordstown Complex, which built its first car in 1966, has produced more than 14 million vehicles, making it one of the most productive automotive facilities in the world.

 "The third-party reviews of the Cruze in North America have been fantastic," said Lordstown plant manager Bob Parcell. "Our Chevrolet dealers tell us Cruze demand is hot, and interest levels are the highest they have seen in 20 years. This will help drive our complex and Chevrolet into a new and exciting era."

The 4,500 team members at the Lordstown Complex are scheduled to begin shipping the Cruze to U.S. and Canadian dealers next week.

“We have been working hard toward this goal for the past two years,” said UAW Local 1112 president Jim Graham. “We have a premium small car that we are proud to build and eager to get into the dealerships.”