GM to Hike Output at Texas SUV Plant

General Motors Co. says it will add a third shift at its SUV factory in Arlington, Texas, in the first quarter of 2013 to meet strong demand as gasoline prices moderate.

The facility, which makes the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade fullsize SUVs, will add 800 jobs. GM says the added shift will reduce overtime expense and relieve pressure on employees who have been working 50- to 60-hour weeks for several years.

The company says the move also will allow it to maintain output during retooling and expansion at the Arlington facility in preparation for the next-generation vehicles due next year.

GM says its North American plants are operating at more than 100% of straight-time capacity through heavy use of third shifts and overtime. The company's other three truck plants in North America already are operating on three shifts.