Mystery Buyer from Valley Purchases Last Cruze

LORDSTOWN, Ohio – United Autoworkers President David Green said Wednesday that an unnamed customer from the Mahoning Valley has purchased the last Chevrolet Cruze – and possibly the last vehicle period – to ever be produced at General Motors Lordstown Assembly plant.

“It was originally supposed to go to a dealership in Miami,” Green told reporters at UAW 1112’s union hall. “As soon as I found that out, I got a hold of a local dealer and asked him to set up a dealer trade so that I could buy the car.”

It was too late.

“They called today and said somebody beat me to the punch,” Green said. “From my understanding, it’s coming back to the Valley, someone from the Valley bought that car. I don’t know who.”

The first vehicle to ever roll off the assembly line at the GM Lordstown complex was a Chevrolet Impala sport sedan in May of 1966. Helen Hart Hurlbert, then the owner of the Warren Tribune, purchased the first vehicle out of the plant.

It is presumed that the original vehicle was scrapped at one point.

Green said he wanted to make sure what could be the last vehicle to leave the plant stayed in the Mahoning Valley, too.

“I did not want to see that car out of this Valley,” Green said. “Specifically, somewhere out of the state such as Florida.”

Pictured: The last Chevrolet Cruze rolls off the line at the GM Lordstown plant on Wednesday.

Comprehensive coverage:
GM Lordstown’s Last Day Elicits Anger, Sadness, Hope
That’s It. Last Cruze Rolls Off Lordstown Assembly LineLast Shift Arrives at GM Lordstown (Video)
Last Day Dawns at General Motors Lordstown
As GM Ends Production, Region Prepares for Future
Flashback: GM Lordstown Celebrated 50 Years Two Years Ago (Video)
Teachers, Autoworkers United to ‘Drive It Home’
UAW, Valley Message to GM: We’re ‘True Blue’ Loyal
Production Ends at GM Lordstown Wednesday

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