Earlier this month, we posted how Americans have adjusted to the $4+ a gallon gasoline prices to the point they’re buying so-called “gas guzzling” mid to full-sized SUVs at steady numbers. One automaker, in fact, is benefiting from America’s “bigger is better” buying spree.
General Motors is adding a third shift to its Arlington Assembly plant based in Arlington, Texas. Currently assembling the GMC Yukon, Yukon Hybrid, and Yukon Hybrid; Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and Tahoe Hybrid; and the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, GM has been relying on overtime to meet consumer demand for its products, which have been stable throughout the recession. States Larry Zahner, GM manufacturing manager, “Based on economic uncertainty and gas price volatility, we took a prudent approach by relying extensively on overtime over the past few years. We see this segment stabilizing enough to add a third shift, reducing the cost and personal demand of overtime and providing us flexibility for possible increased demand as we introduce new trucks.”
Approximately 800 new positions will be made available by the new shift at the plant. Besides relieving current GM employees from working overtime, the third shift will help the plant meet production levels as new equipment and tooling are added to assemble the all-new 2013 Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac models.
GM will begin filling third shift positions at Arlington sometime in October 2012. The new shift goes live around the first quarter of 2013.
Source: General Motors
