GM’s Lordstown Complex Visited by President Obama

LORDSTOWN, OH - President Obama visited the Lordstown Complex Sept. 15, shining a national spotlight on GM people and the vehicles they produce.

The President spoke to employees while surrounded by pallets stacked with engines and red, white, and blue bumpers. In a rousing campaign-like speech, he talked about the government's intervention in the auto industry.   

"We intervened for one simple and compelling reason: Your survival and the success of our economy depended on making sure that we got the U.S. auto industry back on its feet," he said to a cheering crowd. 

"Our belief was that if GM retooled and reinvented itself for the 21st century, it would be good for American workers, good for American manufacturing, and good for America's economy. I'm pleased to report that's exactly what's begun to happen at this plant and at others."

During his visit, President Obama recognized the Lordstown Complex team for the recent build of its one-millionth Chevrolet Cobalt and for the upcoming addition of a second shift. The President also penned a congratulatory note on a banner for the one-millionth Cobalt and signed the hood of a Chevrolet Cruze validation build with "The Car of the Future -- Barack Obama".

He also conducted a town hall meeting with about a dozen plant salaried and hourly employees who shared their thoughts and perspectives on a number of important issues facing the nation and the auto industry.