The investment in Lordstown is one of several that have been announced at U.S. plants in the past five years, adding up to over $2 billion (USD) total investment in Ohio and more than $20 billion in the United States. “One of the key reasons for the success of the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 is the Lordstown workforce and the strong partnerships with the UAW and local and state officials,” Wagoner said. “Based on the quality of work and these strong partnerships, we are pleased to announce our plans to invest another $500 million in the Chevy Cruze product programme in the U.S., including more than $350 million in Lordstown.”

Ed Peper, GMNA vice president of Chevrolet, spoke to GM’s strong position in delivering fuel-efficient vehicles that consumers want to buy. “The Cruze will build on the already successful Chevrolet Cobalt, Cobalt XFE and Cobalt SS, all of which are nearly sold out in dealer showrooms,” Peper said. “Our dealers are asking for many more Cobalts than we can build.”

Chevrolet Cobalt sales are up 16 per cent, year-to-date through July 2008. The new Cobalt XFE model is selling almost as soon as it’s unloaded from the delivery trucks to dealerships.

The Chevrolet Cruze epitomises the global nature of the automobile industry and General Motors’ commitment to deliver fuel efficient, high-quality products. Cruze is the result of a development process harnessing GM’s global design and engineering expertise. It is the first of a new family of compact Chevrolets that will continue the attention to quality, fuel efficiency and strong value promise of the highly successful Malibu and all other vehicles under the Chevrolet brand.

At launch, in Europe, Cruze will be available with 16-valve, 1.6-litre (112 hp/82 kW) and 1.8-litre (140 hp/103 kW) petrol engines featuring variable valve timing (VVT) on both inlet and exhaust sides, giving more power as well as better fuel economy and lower emissions. A new 2.0-litre turbo diesel, developing 150 hp/110 kW and 320 Nm of torque adds power with even greater frugality. Five-speed manual gearboxes and an all-new automatic transmission, Chevrolet's first six-speed application in the compact segment, complete the powertrain menu.

“The Chevrolet Cruze was designed and engineered by our global teams in Europe and Asia Pacific and will be manufactured in those regions in addition to the assembly plant here in Lordstown, Ohio,” Wagoner said. “Our goal for the Chevrolet Cruze is to lead in fuel economy in this very competitive car segment.”