Report: GM Plans $1.3 Billion Arlington Expansion
General Motors is allegedly weighing the expansion of its Arlington, Texas, assembly plant to the tune of $1.3 billion, thus enabling it to produce more large SUVs, including the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevy Tahoe and Suburban; and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL.
According to Automotive News, $307 million of the $1.3 billion investment will support a physical expansion of 1.2 million square feet. $986 million will cover for new equipment, and the rest will be put toward 589 new jobs.
Currently, Arlington Assembly covers 4.375 million square feet and employs 4,125 individuals (per GM). At current capacity, Arlington produces about 1,140 vehicles every day.
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“GM is developing a business case for a potential future investment at Arlington Assembly. An investment would fund facility improvements aimed at strengthening the plant’s manufacturing capability. We cannot share details at this time,” GM spokeswoman Jennie Ecclestone said in a statement.
Auto News reports that the City of Arlington will seek to cut taxes by 80% for 10 years to cover the plant’s expansion and its equipment, and that it will also consider waiving all building permits and development fees.
GM has produced vehicles at Arlington Assembly for more than 51 years, spanning everything from classic Buick Roadmasters and Oldsmobile Eighty-Eights, Pontiac GTOs and Chevy Bel-Airs, and now the Cadillac Escalade and the GMC Yukon. Just last month, a 2015 Suburban was the 10 millionth vehicle produced at the plant.
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News Source: Automotive News
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