Press Release
General Motors Arlington Assembly plant today marked its 50th anniversary of assembling vehicles in Texas. Gary Cowger, president of GM North America, Richard Shoemaker, International UAW vice president, and Governor Rick Perry joined plant employees, retirees, key local, state and federal dignitaries and UAW and GM leadership in a special celebration of GM's commitment to the community."We are here today to celebrate the Arlington plant and its people and their contributions to Texas, GM and the U.S. economy," said Gary Cowger. "This celebration recognizes that the people of the Arlington plant have been and will continue to be at the forefront of GM's quality and productivity revolution."
The 250-acre Arlington plant site, originally designed to assemble aircraft and automobiles, has been expanded seven times since launching operations in 1954 with nearly 600 employees on one shift. In 2003, Arlington produced more than 238,000 vehicles with an employee population of approximately 3,000 on two shifts. GM Arlington produces a variety of full-size sport utility vehicles -- the GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Cadillac Escalade.
Cowger said that the vehicles built at the plant have received recent recognition by J. D. Power & Associates for their initial quality and dependability. "The Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL are considered 'Recommended Buys' in Consumers Reports, one of the most influential publications with vehicle buyers," added Cowger. "So, you can see why all of General Motors is proud of this plant and the people who work here."
Vehicle displays, demonstrating the diversity and flexibility of the Arlington assembly operations, included a 1954 Starchief, 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS, 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS, 1998 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup, 2004 Cadillac Escalade and the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban Lonestar 5 (fifth in a series of Lonestar Show trucks). The three-quarter ton four-wheel-drive Lonestar comes equipped with Quadrasteer and a GM Powertrain Vortec 6000 and 4L80E transmission. Inside, the vehicle includes a large array of luxury features including the OnStar System and XM Radio. The Lonestar represents the heritage of the Suburban and was celebrated at the plant's 50th anniversary event.
"This 50th anniversary is a truly remarkable accomplishment and a tribute to the dedication and hard work of the members of UAW Local 276," said Richard Shoemaker. "We've got a great team here, both UAW and GM, and working together with our partners in government, we want to ensure that the Arlington plant continues to provide good jobs, security and a brighter future for UAW members, for the entire Arlington team and for the great state of Texas."
The Arlington Assembly plant operations significantly contributes to the economic growth and development of the community and surrounding areas with a total payroll of $273 million to employees and property taxes of $10.2 million in 2003. Since 1996, GM has invested $750 million in the Arlington facility.
Arlington employees demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the community through active involvement in the Arlington Chamber of Commerce activities and various community organizations. Plant employee contributions for United Way Agencies totaled more than $319,000 last year. In the plant's 34-year tradition to support the Toys for Kids program, employees distributed more than $150,000 worth of toys for needy children in the area through Mission Arlington in December 2003.
"For half a century General Motors has been a vital engine of progress for the Texas economy, producing more than seven million cars and trucks, generating thousands of good jobs for hardworking men and women, and contributing $250 million in annual payroll," said Governor Rick Perry.
General Motors employs more than 5,500 employees at 27 plants and offices in the state of Texas, with more than $500 million in wages. GM dealers, totaling 482, employ approximately 25,000 people, generating a $1.1 billion payroll. Texas-based suppliers serve 73 GM manufacturing facilities across the country. GM pays in excess of $15 million annually in property taxes.
GM and the GM Foundation have provided ongoing economic support of various Texas charities, organizations and schools, including the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Nature Conservancy of Texas, Prairie View University, the University of Texas, American Heart Association, Automation Robotics Research Institute, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Tom Joyner Foundation.
"GM was the key to the town of Arlington becoming the city of Arlington," said The Honorable Judge Tom Vandergriff. "The town of 7500 has become the city of over 300,000. We owe so much of that development and growth to GM."
