Good attendance for the inauguration party of the Chevrolet Cruze

Ted Strictland, Governor of the State of Ohio, pressed an inked thumbprint against the roof of a red Chevrolet Cruze on Wednesday to kick off the first of GM’s newly produced Chevrolet Cruze which is made in Lordstown, OH.

Strickland and General Motors North America President Mark Reuss drove the red Cruze off the end of the assembly line followed by a white & blue models driven by members of the Cruze launch team.

Reuss told a crowd of employees & community members who turned out for the ceremonial launch party, “The rebirth of the U.S. economy starts in Lordstown, Ohio with the Chevrolet Cruze... The Cruze is the finest compact car GM has ever made, period.”

The crowd applaud as Reuss started up the Cruze and drove it off the assembly line.

Courtney Arbutina, age 17, is one of the first owners of a Chevrolet Cruze and received an oversized Cruze ignition key made of foam in celebration of the inauguration of the Chevrolet Cruze! Courtney’s father said he purchased the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze for her because of the range of standard safety equipment. Arbutina also went on saying, “It offers me peace of mind knowing that my daughter will be driving one of the safest cars on the highway today.”

The Chevrolet Cruze will begin delivery to Chevrolet/GM Dealerships across North America, later this month.

Source: GM Press Release
Pictures: Courtesy of General Motors