(February 24, 2010) General Motors will add a third shift at its Lordstown, Ohio, complex, adding 1,200 jobs to support production of the new, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact car. As previously announced, the Chevrolet Cruze program represents a $500 million investment in U.S. manufacturing operations, which includes more than $350 million to re-tool the Lordstown facility.

Production begins in the third quarter and will increase the Lordstown workforce from 3,300 to 4,500. The third shift is expected to generate $47 million in additional payroll, $470,000 in local income taxes and $1.4 million in state income tax.

Since last July, GM has made announcements that represent about 5,515 new jobs and investment by the company of more than $1.4 billion in the United States.

“Adding a third shift to build Cruze is an investment with impact far beyond General Motors.  It’s an investment in the long-term value of Lordstown and the prosperity of Ohio,” said Mark Reuss, president, GM North America. “It provides rewarding manufacturing jobs and efficient class-leading new cars for American car buyers.”

“Lordstown is the latest announcement made by GM to secure the best possible manufacturing footprint to react to market demand and deliver cars and trucks faster to our customers.”