GM Ramps Up Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia Production To Meet Demand

The new GMC Acadia and Cadillac XT5 are proving to be runaway successes for General Motors. In fact demand has been so high for both that the automaker is adding a third shift to their production.

The XT5 has emerged as Cadillac’s top-selling model in every market around the world where it’s offered. The first quarter of this year saw demand rise by 10 percent compared to last year. The case is even stronger with the Acadia, which saw its best quarter ever, rising by over 15 percent over last year.

GM produces both models at its Spring Hill Manufacturing facility in Tennessee. The additional shift ought to increase production by as much as 50 percent, and add 700 jobs to the plant’s workforce.

“This shift addition is not only an indication of the popularity of these GMC and Cadillac crossovers with customers but is testament to the great work being done by the Spring Hill Assembly team,” said plant director Ken Knight. “Their commitment to building quality vehicles is visible every day. It also demonstrates the strong spirit of teamwork between GM and our UAW partners, as we work together to satisfy our customers.”

Late last year, GM announced a nearly $300-million investment in the plant. The location previously handled assembly of Saturns. After it shut down that brand in its massive post-bankruptcy restructuring in 2007, the plant sat idle for a full year. It reopened the following year to produce the Chevy Traverse. That model has since moved to Lansing, Michigan. And in 2016 it started producing the XT5 and Acadia instead.