Big day for GM in Ohio with launch of Cruze

LORDSTOWN, Ohio

General Motors Co. launched its Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan at its factory near Youngstown on Wednesday with a parade of red, white and blue models.

Company and state officials are touting the production as a boost to the U.S. and Ohio economies.

The 2011 Cruze goes on sale this month in U.S. showrooms, with a starting price of $16,995. The car, about the size of a Ford Focus or Honda Civic, replaces the Chevrolet Cobalt and is expected to achieve up to 40 mpg on the highway.

"The rebirth of the American economy starts right here at Lordstown with a world-class, high-volume car built in the heartland of America," GM North America President Mark Reuss told those who attended the launch at the plant that employs about 4,500.

Reuss arrived in a red Cruze with Gov. Ted Strickland, who praised the Youngstown area.

"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," he said.

Union leaders at the plant said the car shows that Detroit-based GM can take on foreign automakers for the compact car market.

"We will compete with anything, and we will beat them," said United Auto Workers Local 1112 President Jim Graham.

GM said the Cruze is Chevrolet's top-selling car worldwide this year, with more than 165,000 sold.