Texas Governor Celebrates Launch of GM's 2015 SUVs

ARLINGTON, Texas, May 13, 2014 -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry today joined GM's Arlington Assembly Plant Manager Paul Graham to highlight the new Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac full-size SUVs being built at the plant.

"GM has a rich heritage in Texas, building award-winning vehicles since 1954 and these new vehicles are no exception," said Graham. "Our hard-working team at the plant is energized that customers love our products."

Perry was on hand to help celebrate the plant's long operating history in the community.

"In Texas, we realize that jobs mean more than just a paycheck, they mean more opportunities to grow, better lives for families and lifelong friendships formed over the years," Gov. Perry said. "That's the point of everything we do in Texas, freeing employers of all sizes to succeed so they can create quality jobs to lift individuals, families and entire communities to greater heights."

GM invested more than $500 million at Arlington Assembly to build the next generation of full-size sport utilities. Today, these vehicles dominate in their segment, earning approximately 75 percent market share in the full-size SUV category. Consumer demand for the all-new 2015 collection of GM SUVs is outpacing expectations. The average turn rate, or how quickly it takes a particular vehicle to sell after it is delivered to the dealer, is between 10 and 17 days for the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL. The plant has also begun shipping the 2015 Cadillac Escalade to dealers.

As part of the SUV launch celebration, Graham and Gov. Perry provided General Motors Foundation grants totaling $56,000 in support of five local nonprofits as part of its annual Plant City Grants program. The organizations receiving the grants were the United Way of Tarrant County ($25,000), the Arlington ISD - Teacher Grants ($10,000), the Community Food Bank of Fort Worth ($7,000), the Junior Achievement of the Chisolm Trail ($7,000) and Parents Step Ahead ($7,000).

"Through the Plant City Grants program, the GM Foundation this year will provide more than $1.7 million to 209 organizations in 45 plant cities," said GM Foundation President Vivian Pickard. "The grants are given to organizations that provide much-needed services to help improve the quality of life within the communities where GM employees live and work."

Added Graham, "While the world's best vehicles are coming off the line right here at Arlington Assembly, at the heart of our operations is our commitment to giving back to the Arlington community, which is represented by the grants we are providing to these vital nonprofit organizations so they may continue their important work."