"General Motors has announced that it has sold its Lordstown, Ohio, plant, which it opened in 1966 and where the Chevrolet Cruze was manufactured, to the EV startup Lordstown Motors for an undisclosed amount. GM's production ended at the plant in March and became a central issue in the recent 40-day strike earlier this fall, as workers saw its closing as indicative of recent and future technological shifts.

The United Auto Workers union pushed to have GM invest in the Lordstown plant to convert it to battery production after workers there lost their jobs, but the union was unsuccessful. Steve Burns, chief executive officer of Lordstown Motors, was quoted by the New York Times saying that the company will give preference to former GM employees who were laid off with the closing of the plant as they look to hire some 400 workers next year.

GM issued a statement today saying it is 'committed to future investment and job growth in Ohio' and adding that it hopes Lordstown Motors will add jobs to the area to help it 'grow into a manufacturing hub for electrification.'"

Colin Beresford reports for Car and Driver November 7, 2019. [2]