Trump announced the development via Twitter Wednesday.
After GM’s closure of the Lordstown assembly plant, there may be some new hope for the plant’s future. President Donald Trump sent out a series of tweets Wednesday, praising GM CEO Mary Barra for agreeing to sell the plant to electric truck manufacturer workhorse.
GM announced the plant’s “unallocated” status last year. The plant built the last Chevrolet Cruze in March, and has been idle since. GM operated the Lordstown plant for more than 50 years, with its first vehicle rolling off the line in 1966.
During a March visit to the area, Trump called for GM to sell the plant for the sake of workers disenfranchised by the plant’s closure. “Because the economy is so good, General Motors must get their Lordstown, Ohio plant open, maybe in a different form or with a new owner, FAST!”, he tweeted in March.
Workhorse is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Trump further elaborated, saying GM would invest $700 million in Ohio, creating 450 jobs at three separate facilities.
Ohio governor Rob Portman also took to Twitter, thanking President Trump and lauding the possible reopening of the Lordstown plant. He said, “I want to thank @realDonaldTrump for his help in bringing new production to #Lordstown. I’m hopeful we will see the #Lordstown plant humming again.” #jobs #Ohio.”
Neither General Motors nor Workhorse officially commented on the news, as of Wednesday morning. We will post updates when we have more information.
