General Motors will add a new third shift in Lordstown to build a new gas-powererd compact car. The news, however is bittersweet. CEO Rick Wagoner also announced Tuesday that four GM plants, including one in Dayton will close by 2010.
Michigan based auto industry analyst Greg Gardner says Lordstown made substantial changes to survive the cut.
GARDNER: GM and the UAW negotiated a new contract nationally, and more recently on a local level that enables the company to hire new workers at roughly half the wage of veteran, high-seniority UAW people.
The United Auto Workers agreement also permits workers to do more than one job in the plant.
The car is expected to get 40 miles per gallon on the highway. It will replace the Cobalt, which Lordstown will stop manufacturing next year. For UAW president David Green, the news virtually assures the future of his plant.
GREEN: We're real excited and confident moving forward. It looks like we're going to be around for some years to come.
Kymberli Hagelberg, 90.3.