The City of Arlington, Texas, has unveiled a new documentary titled “Heartbeat of Arlington,” offering an in-depth exploration of the social and economic impact of the General Motors Arlington Assembly plant. Spanning 45 minutes, the film chronicles the plant’s history from its construction in the 1950s to its present-day role as a key player in vehicle production.
Through archival footage, research, and interviews collected over 21 months, the documentary highlights Arlington Assembly’s legacy of producing iconic vehicles like the Chevrolet Bel Air, Pontiac GTO, and Buick Regal.
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Today, the plant is responsible for GM’s top-selling full-size SUVs, including the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade. Over its 70-year history, the facility has assembled more than 13 million vehicles.
Victor Vandergriff, son of Arlington’s 1950s mayor Tom Vandergriff, emphasizes the plant’s transformative role in the city’s growth, stating, “General Motors was the catalyst that made Arlington be the first city that exploded and became the DFW region.”
The Arlington Assembly plant remains a cornerstone of GM’s operations, employing 5,200 of the 8,370 GM workers in Texas and paying $1.2 billion annually in taxable wages statewide. Over the past decade, GM has invested $1.9 billion in Texas.
“Heartbeat of Arlington” showcases the plant’s enduring impact on the community and economy. The full film is available to watch on YouTube.
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