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GM Adding Third Shift At Arlington Plant
by
Derek Kreindler
(IC: employee)
Published: June 25th, 2012
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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.
#CadillacEscalade
#Chevrolet
#ChevroletSuburban
#ChevroletTahoe
#Full-size
#GmcYukon
#GmcYukonXl
#Gmt900
#SUV
Derek Kreindler
More by Derek Kreindler
Published June 25th, 2012 9:45 AM
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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.
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.
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.
Anyone stupid enough to buy one of these turds deserve everything that goes with them.