(April 14, 2012) ARLINGTON, Texas  — General Motors broke ground Friday on a new $200 million stamping facility that could add 180 jobs to its Arlington manufacturing complex. As part of the event, GM, GM Foundation and United Auto Workers leaders announced $82,000 in contributions to local charities from the GM Foundation.

“Our plant could not be successful without strong support from our local community,” said Paul Graham, GM Arlington plant manager. “We’re pleased to announce these contributions at a time when we’re strengthening our presence in Arlington with construction of a new Stamping Plant that will benefit the local economy.”

The new stamping facility will produce large, metal stampings, such as doors, hoods and side panels, for the next generation of the full-size SUVs built at GM Arlington, the lone source for Chevrolet Tahoes, Suburbans, GMC Yukons and Cadillac Escalades sold globally.

Stampings currently are received from several GM locations, some more than 1,000 miles away.  The new stamping facility will come on line in 2013 and will save about $40 million a year in logistics costs. The $200 million stamping facility investment is in addition to a $331 million investment by GM that was announced in May 2011 to expand the body shop and purchase tooling and equipment.

The grants are part of the more than $1 million the GM Foundation is providing to nearly 200 organizations in 43 plant cities where GM employees live and work. Through these grants, the GM Foundation is building stronger communities across the country.