Choose to Cruze

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The Chevrolet Cruze stole the show at four northern Ohio Chevrolet dealerships on Aug. 14. A combined team, representing the Parma Metal Center and Lordstown Complex, was on-hand at the Pat O'Brien dealerships to talk with customers about the all-new Cruze.

Each dealership had a Cruze on display, and plant experts talked about safety, ride, handling, features and affordability of the Cruze. "It was a good day," said Lordstown Professional Managers Network Chairman Dave Cintron. "In fact, we took some new orders for the Cruze, and that's a good thing."

In all, about a dozen new orders were taken by the dealerships before the day was over, and the Pat O'Brien team was thankful to have the Parma and Lordstown experts on site. "We thank the Parma and Lordstown teams for building this car," said a Pat O'Brien manager. "We are excited to have an opportunity to sell this vehicle."

Teams supporting dealer day included UAW locals 1005, 1112 and 1714; Parma and Lordstown Professional Managers Network (PMN); and their respective Women in Manufacturing (WIM) Chapters.

As a part of the weekend deliverables, JumpStart team members were charged to seek unique opportunities to showcase the products they drove. Each team was given an information packet that included things to do and see in the area. For one of the activities, event coordinator Lerick Chissus created a photo scavenger hunt with specific categories: "most amount of people around the vehicle;" "vehicle in the oddest place, without violating any laws or rules;" and "best way to reach out to a potential customer." With this activity, JumpStart members did some creative thinking and interacted with customers, which also served as a good way to collect photos.

Teams were creative and came up with some great ideas as they reached out to customers. Antonio Vittorini and Amanda Halabou's group approached people at the gas station and pumped gas while consumers checked out the GM vehicles. Kelly Lynch's group used the VAP vehicles as a shuttle service and picked people up who needed a ride to the events along the shoreline.

For over 80 percent of the JumpStart members, this was their first camping trip. To learn more about JumpStart and the various activities and initiatives they are working on, visit their website here.