GM to Invest $331 Million, Add 110 Jobs in Arlington, Tex.

ARLINGTON, Texas, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors will add 110 jobs and invest $331 million to purchase tooling and equipment and expand the Arlington Assembly Plant to make future Chevrolet Tahoes, Suburbans, GMC Yukons and Cadillac Escalades.  

"This investment will allow us to continue building award-winning full-size SUVs that offer better fuel efficiency than ever before without sacrificing the features and functionality they've come to expect," GM Manufacturing Manager Larry Zahner said Thursday. "We remain committed to providing customers the utility and capability of our world-class full-size SUVs."

Note to Editors: Video and photos are available with this release at the GM media website, http://media.gm.com.

Thursday's announcement is part of the $2 billion in U.S. investment that GM announced for 17 facilities in eight states on May 10. Announcements positively impacting employment were made recently at assembly plants in Bowling Green, Ky., and Detroit, Mich.; and at powertrain plants in Toledo, Ohio, as well as Flint and Bay City, Mich. This is on top of $3.4 billion invested and 9,000 jobs created or retained in the United States since mid-2009.  

The Arlington investment is primarily for manufacturing machinery, equipment, special tooling and an expansion of the current facility. The plant, which opened in 1954, built its 9-millionth vehicle earlier this month. It last was expanded in 2001, to 3.75 million square feet.

"We truly appreciate the support we have enjoyed from the Arlington community over the years," said Zahner. "This investment is possible because of the teamwork between GM, the UAW, the Arlington community and the great State of Texas."  

The 110 new jobs will be added to an existing workforce of 2,400 hourly and salaried employees at Arlington.    

"Today's announcement of a future product and more jobs for the Arlington Plant shows that the members of UAW Local 276 have what it takes to compete and win in today's global auto market," said UAW Vice President-GM Department Joe Ashton. "Our members have answered every challenge placed before them.  Their highly developed skills and abilities enhance their capacity to build world-class vehicles for American consumers."

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 202,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries.  GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 30 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Italy.  GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.  More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.  

SOURCE General Motors