August 4: Kaptur Celebrates 'Made in America' Chevy Cruze, A Jobs Boost at Toledo GM Powertrain

Kaptur drove a Cruze prototype into the Powertrain plant and celebrated with workers and plant officials.

“This is not only a ‘Made in America’ car, but mostly a ‘Made in Ohio’ car,” said Kaptur. “The engine blocks are built in Defiance, the stamping done mainly in Parma, the assembly done in three shifts in Lordstown, and the six-speed transmission made right here in Toledo, Ohio by the best workers in the world!”

The Cruze has been called “the most important car in (GM’s) global turnaround plan” by the Detroit Free Press.

“The American automobile industry has come roaring back after receiving federal assistance during the national economic crisis,” Kaptur said. “This is a quality, fuel-efficient compact that is selling briskly around the world. The Cruze is proof that we can make it in America—make in here in Ohio—and compete with anybody else in the world.”

Kaptur defended her vote for the automobile rescue package in Congress, citing General Motors’ investment of more than $600 million inthe Powertrain plant in 2007. “Saving the U.S. auto industry was not popular in certain quarters, but it was the right thing to do,” she said. “It would have been economically insane to fail to protect GM’s historic investment in our community and irresponsible to the families that rely on the jobs here.

“Everybody sacrificed at little bit, but the strategy worked. And now we’re back!”