Always proud of my hometown assembly plant! Arlington Assembly's team members recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of the plant and assembling its 13 millionth vehicle. The milestone vehicle is a 2024 Cadillac Escalade-V powered by a 682-horsepower supercharged V8 engine. - Jerry Reynolds, host of the Car Pro Show
We can't let a milestone like this pass us by without recognition! GM's Arlington Assembly plant celebrated its 70th anniversary in late July, along with the production of its 13 millionth vehicle! The vehicle taking the honors was a 2024 Cadillac Escalade-V, which is powered by a supercharged V8 with 682 horses.
Arlington Assembly is the exclusive assembly site for GM’s full-size gas and diesel-powered SUVs, which GM says have dominated the full-size SUV segment for nearly 50 years. The site employs over 5,400 people and has employed thousands more since 1954.
“Milestones like these are met only through the dedication, determination and skill of our employees,” said John Urbanic, plant executive director. “We can’t thank our employees enough for what they do every day. We build each vehicle as if it were our own and value every customer.”
1958 Oldsmobile 88. Photo: General Motors.
Many iconic vehicles have rolled off the Arlington Assembly line in its 70-year history. They include the Pontiac Chieftain, Oldsmobile 88, Chevrolet Bel Air, Pontiac GTO, Cadillac Brougham, and Buick Regal. The plant converted to truck production in 1997, and a stamping facility that produces all the major exterior and mating interior panels was added to the site in 2012. In 2019, the plant produced its 12 millionth vehicle, with the 13 millionth vehicle produced in July 2024.
Of course a plant that's 70 years old has seen numerous investments over the years. GM says its invested $1.9 billion in the plant since 2014. A thoroughly modernized body shop, equipped with 1,450 robotic welders, was initiated in 2020.
GM says it employs over 9,000 in the state and generated nearly $1.2 billion in taxable wages in 2023. Additionally, GM works with 550 suppliers and has over 300 dealers in Texas.
"This plant is an integral part of Arlington’s history and its economy, both for the thousands of good-paying jobs created for our residents over the decades and our community’s great pride in the world-class vehicles that roll off the assembly line each day right here in The American Dream City,” said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross. “The long-standing partnership between the City of Arlington and General Motors is a testament that we are truly better together. We can't wait to see what the future brings."
Arlington Assembly facts:
- Over 5,400 employees
- The assembly team works three shifts, six days a week to keep up with demand
- Over 1,350 vehicles produced per day
- Six million total square feet, one of GM’s largest assembly plants
- Site is on 250 acres
- Over 20 miles of conveyors
- Exports vehicles to over 30 countries
- Set a monthly production record of over 34,000 vehicles in March 2023
- 2023 Arlington Assembly state economic impact: $523 million in wages
Photo by Courtney Reed for General Motors.