GM Leaves, 'Electric Pickup Truck' Production... US Rust Belt Transforms into 'Voltage' Valley

Electric Vehicle Maker Rose Town Motors Replaces GM
Declining Manufacturing Area Transforms into Future Car Hub
New Model Unveiled at White House... Trump Praises "Car with Engine on Wheels"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The small town of Rose Town in mid-eastern Ohio has caught the attention of the White House. Ohio, located in the Rust Belt?a term referring to the declining manufacturing region of the U.S.?has transformed into a hub for future industries producing electric pickup trucks and electric vehicle batteries. On the 28th (local time), President Donald Trump personally attended the unveiling event of the electric pickup truck "Endurance" by Rose Town Motors, an electric vehicle maker based in Rose Town, at the White House.

Rose Town Motors is a U.S. electric vehicle startup located in Rose Town, Ohio, founded by Steve Burns, the former CEO of Workhorse, a company that designs batteries, electric vehicles, and aircraft.

The company attracted attention because its currently operating factory was formerly a GM plant that produced the mid-sized Cruze car. Once considered a symbol of American manufacturing, the area took a direct hit when GM ceased production and withdrew. The fact that an electric vehicle maker purchased a factory that previously produced internal combustion engine vehicles carries symbolic meaning as a revival of the declining factory district.

At the unveiling event, President Trump praised the development, saying, "When GM left, this area was devastated," and added, "But what is happening here now is simply amazing."

Recently, Rose Town has begun to be called "Voltage Valley." Along with Rose Town Motors, battery joint ventures involving LG Chem and GM have started to establish themselves there. Rob Portman, a U.S. Senator from Ohio, mentioned at the White House event that electric vehicle companies are moving in one after another, emphasizing, "When GM decided to close the plant, 1,500 workers lost their jobs, which was a direct blow, but now we call this area 'Voltage Valley.'"

Rose Town Motors holds the title of being the first electric pickup truck maker. President Trump highly praised Rose Town Motors' electric truck, saying, "It is essentially a car with the engine in the wheels," calling it "a great concept."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Peter Navarro, Director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, drew attention by specifically mentioning LG Chem batteries at the event. When the battery joint venture was mentioned, he said, "This did not happen by chance," and added, "What’s also beautiful is that the LG Chem batteries are right next to Rose Town Motors."

Rose Town Motors plans to enter the Nasdaq through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The company is valued at $1.6 billion (approximately 1.9 trillion KRW). The pickup truck "Endurance" by Rose Town Motors is reported to have over 27,000 pre-orders.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.