General Motors kicked off production on Monday of its new Chevrolet Malibu.

GM spent six months and $500 million preparing its Kansas City, Kansas plant and workers to build the mid-size sedans.

Governor Kathleen Sebelius joined in on the celebration at the Kansas City plant. She says she plans to order a brand new silver Chevy Malibu that she will drive as her personal car.

The Fairfax plant employs about 2,500 people.

It had made the Pontiac Grand Prix. The plant shut down in February and has been undergoing an extensive retooling to build the cars: a new Malibu and a hatchback called the Malibu Maxx.

Workers have been back since mid-July to prepare for the launch
and began making cars for customers on Monday.

GM plans to make 250,000 Malibus each year at the Fairfax plant. It's the only place where they will be made.

The 2004 models should begin arriving at dealerships later this month.