A 2024 Cadillac Escalade-V rolled off the assembly line at GM’s Arlington plant last week and is a very special vehicle.
The white SUV, powered by a 682-horsepower supercharged V8 engine, is the thirteen-millionth vehicle assembled at the plant celebrating its 70th anniversary. The plant currently employs more than 5,400 people and has hired thousands more since its opening in 1954.
“This plant is an integral component of Arlington’s history and economy, whether it’s because of the thousands of good-paying jobs created for our citizens over the decades and the wonderful pride our network has in the world-class cars that roll off the meet line each and every one of them. here in the city of the American dream,” Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said in a statement. “The long-standing partnership between the City of Arlington and General Motors is a testament to the fact that we are actually better together. We can’t wait to see what the long term holds.
GM said the Arlington Assembly is the exclusive gathering for its full-size gasoline and diesel SUVs, a line it says has dominated the full-size SUV segment for about 50 years. The factory produced its 12 millionth vehicle in 2019.
“Milestones like these can only be achieved through the dedication, determination and ability of our workers,” said John Urbanic, the plant’s chief executive officer. “We can’t thank our workers enough for what they do every day. We build each and every vehicle as if it were our own and value each and every one of the customers.
Employees attended a rite to observe the iconic vehicle and had the opportunity to take a photo with the thirteen-millionth vehicle, get a commemorative T-shirt and challenge coin, and enjoy refreshments during the celebration, GM said.
“These jobs have supported families, advanced neighborhoods, and contributed to the colorful economic fabric of our city. The ripple effect of GM’s investment extends far beyond the plant itself, boosting local businesses, earning better infrastructure and driving the region’s expansion,” Arlington said. Councilwoman Barbara Odom-Wesley reads a proclamation marking July 26 as “General Motors Day” in Arlington.
Throughout its history, the Arlington plant produced a number of iconic cars before focusing on SUVs.
Some of them come with Pontiac Chieftain, Chevrolet Bel Air, Pontiac GTO, Cadillac Brougham, and Buick Regal.
GM said the plant transitioned to truck production in 1997 and that a stamping facility was added to the site in 2012 that generates all the corresponding external and internal primary panels.
Over the years, the plant has been the subject of investments totaling $1. 9 billion since 2014.
The company said that a modernized frame store opened in 2020, equipped with 1,450 welding robots.
General Motors said it employs more than 9,000 people in the state and generated about $1. 2 billion in taxable wages in 2023. GM said it also works with 550 suppliers and has more than 300 dealerships in the state.
Below are some facts about the Arlington Assembly Plant:
Arlington Assembly assembles the gasoline- and diesel-powered Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL SUVs, as well as the Cadillac Escalade SUVs.
The then newly elected mayor, Tom Vandergriff, managed to bring the GM plant to the city. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram said it was one of his first accomplishments, and perhaps his most important for the city. He served as mayor of Arlington. from 1951 to 1977.
At the time, Arlington was surrounded by farmland and had a population of 8,000.
The Star-Telegram said the new plant hired more than 2,000 people and its opening helped influence the location of the nearby Great Southwest Industrial Park.
According to the Star-Telegram, GM’s corps of transportation workers were instrumental in the resolution to build the Dallas-Fort Worth toll road, which opened in 1957 and was later renamed Interstate 30.
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