GM Adding Third Shift At Arlington Plant

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

The Arlington, Texas plant that builds full size SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade will get a third shift, adding 800 jobs.

The shift is expected to start in Q1 2013. Sales of the full-size SUVs have been steadily climbing in the post-Recession years, though volatile gas prices and the consumer shift towards more fuel efficient vehicles makes this move slightly puzzling – or not, in light of Bertel’s article on just how important full-size trucks and SUVs are to the general. The Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Yukon XL command a significant share of the large SUV market, with both the Tahoe and Suburban handily beating the third place Ford Expedition in the sales race.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

More by Derek Kreindler

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 41 comments
  • JLGOLDEN JLGOLDEN on Jun 25, 2012

    My parents currently have a 2007 Yukon and a 2011 Yukon. There was a two year experience with 2009 Saturn Outlook, but the poor visibility and all of the road noise sent them to purchase the 2011 GMC. The more upright Yukon design simply looks better, and the full-sizers have better feeling seats up front. The rear-drive body on frame setup may not be athletic, but it doesn't transmit as much road texture and vibration into the cabin.

  • Mjal Mjal on Jun 25, 2012

    Dal - Do you have actual interior volume specs available on the Suburban relative to an Enclave/Traverse or any minivan? I own an Enclave while my sister owns a Suburban, and I can tell you the Suburban blows the Enclave away as far as cargo area behind the 3rd row. We also only seem to achieve 12-13mpg around town, not much worse that the Suburban. I would bet the Suburban is at or near the top in interior volume.

  • Doctor olds Doctor olds on Jun 25, 2012

    GM owns this lucrative segment, typically capturing 3/4 of full size SUV sales. The segment is much smaller than it was a few years ago, but GM still sold almost 800,000 vehicles on this platform last year, including the pickups. GM will be releasing all new 2013 pickups along with their "utility" platform mates soon, which should result in volume increases.

  • Oboylepr Oboylepr on Jun 30, 2012

    Anyone stupid enough to buy one of these turds deserve everything that goes with them.

Next