Two Shifts To Produce The Chevy Cruze?

Earlier this month General Motors declared bankruptcy in a move that the company hopes will ultimately save the automaker. Right now, GM is busy making plans for its future which means that it is attempting to sell off Opel, Saab, Saturn and Hummer while closing down Pontiac.

When the company completes its short term restructuring later this summer, it should be able to emerge from bankruptcy in a better position to compete. One of the future models you hear mentioned often is the Chevy Volt, GM’s electric car, but it’ll be the Chevy Cruze which will bolster sales, perhaps quickly becoming the best selling GM product eventually.

In Continuous Operation Since 1966

GM has chosen its Lordstown Assembly plant to build the Cruze, a facility that has been in continuous operation since 1966. Last August GM selected the plant which turns out be a positive turn of events for the Ohio community where it is situated. Many GM communities are struggling with plant closures or seeing the writing on the wall: their own assembly or supply plants or distribution centers may not make the cut.

Lordstown will begin to produce the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze by next April or May which means that the cars will go on sale next summer.  Anticipated demand isn’t yet known, given the current state of the economy and GM’s own fortunes. If the Cruze were to hit the market right now, sales would probably be a disappointment. By Summer 2010, the economy should have improved to the point where demand would have rebounded perhaps causing GM to add a second shift at Lordstown.

Lordstown Has A Lot Going For It

Lordstown has benefits to it that other GM plants do not have, namely a new paint shop on site and a contiguous stamping plant. In addition, GM has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into the facility in recent years, a sign that even a damaged automaker intends to hold onto what works best.

The Cruze will be built at two plants in Asia and one in Europe. Lordstown will be the only plant building the Cruze for the forseeable future:

Source: Business Journal