WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) released the following statement today regarding the news that General Motors will invest an additional $220 million in its Lordstown and Parma plants to build the next-generation Chevy Cruze.

“GM’s investment in Lordstown and Parma is a testament to the workers in Northeast Ohio who have helped make the Cruze so successful, while playing a major part in helping this company turn around,” Brown said. “We know how to make things in Ohio. Cars like the Chevy Cruze aren’t just assembled in Ohio, but they’re also made with parts manufactured in Warren, Defiance, Toledo, and all across Ohio. Manufacturing helped build this country's middle class, and its importance to our economy will only grow as our nation demands cleaner and more energy-efficient American-made vehicles. I’m proud that both my wife and daughter have new, made-in-Ohio Cruzes parked in the driveway.”

In 2011, Brown released a map showing the location of auto component manufacturers for two popular cars assembled in Ohio: the Cruze and Chrysler’s Jeep Wrangler. The map shows the extent of Ohio components utilized in both models – and how investment in the auto industry has helped boost demand for Ohio-made parts:

  • GM’s Chevy Cruze: Prior to the auto rescue, in November 2008, 1,000 workers at GM’s Lordstown plant were laid off. Today, nearly 5,000 people – including another shift of workers – build the Chevy Cruze, one of the hottest selling cars in the nation.  The Cruze’s tires are manufactured in Akron, its seats in Warren, engine blocks in Defiance, metal in Parma, transmission in Toledo, and speakers in Springboro.
  • Chrysler’s Jeep Wrangler: Prior to the auto rescue, only 55 percent of the parts in Chrysler’s Jeep Wrangler were made in America. Today, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 70 percent of the Jeep Wrangler is American-made – with many parts made in Ohio. The glass is made in Crestline, the steering column in Perrysburg, the seats in Northwood, the hard top in Carey, and cargo components in Holmesville.

A full copy of Brown’s analysis can be found here.

Brown has been an outspoken advocate for Ohio’s auto industry. In November of 2008, he introduced S. 3175, the Auto Industry Emergency Bridge Loan Act, with a bipartisan group of colleagues. In December 2008, Brown fought to ensure that funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) were allocated to aid the Big 3 and American auto suppliers—despite near-unanimous opposition from most House and Senate Republicans. At the start of 2009, Brown applauded President Obama’s decision to advance restructuring plans to ensure the viability of the American auto industry. Brown celebrated the first Chevy Cruze “off the line” in September 2010.

 

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