Chevrolet Suburban Brings Hollywood Award Home to Arlington
By Office of Communication
Posted on June 21, 2021, June 21, 2021

The Chevrolet Suburban brought a piece of its movie fame back to its hometown in Arlington, Texas, where the Suburban is assembled*. In 2019, the Suburban became the first vehicle to earn an Award of Excellence star from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for its iconic role in film and television.

Today, Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President Rana Ghadban and General Motors Arlington Assembly Plant Executive Director Bill Kulhanek unveiled the star’s new permanent location in Arlington’s Entertainment District, between Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium. Chevrolet chose the location to celebrate the Suburban’s footprint in the city and its enduring popularity with Texas customers.

“The Suburban is truly a staple in both Texas and Hollywood, and the City of Arlington is honored to play a role in recognizing the Suburban today at Texas Live! and every day at the GM Arlington Assembly plant,” Williams said. “We’re also proud to proclaim today, June 21, ‘Suburban Day’ to recognize the Suburban’s continuing legacy in Texas, Hollywood and around the world.”

The Award of Excellence star recognizes the Suburban’s robust acting career, appearing in more than 1,750 film and TV series. The Suburban is Hollywood’s longest working actor and an icon on the Hollywood scene. The Suburban is a one-of-a-kind character actor with its own persona. Its career in Hollywood began in 1952, when it first appeared on the silver screen.

“There is no other character actor like the Chevy Suburban. It can fit into any type of role with ease. When it arrives in a movie or TV series, it can instantly bring a feeling of significance, suspense or knowing the day is about to be saved,” said Ghadban. “We are excited to permanently place the Suburban’s Award of Excellence star in its home state of Texas. This marks the first Award of Excellence star outside of California and in the great state of Texas.”

Arlington Assembly builds 12 millionth vehicle, a Suburban

The Arlington Assembly Plant has produced over 12 million vehicles since production began. Today, it produces the segment-leading Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban for 33 countries around the world. The 5,677 employees who assemble these vehicles make the vehicle’s Hollywood career possible.

“We are so proud to build the Chevrolet Suburban in Texas, where it is beloved by many, both on and off the screen,” Kulhanek said. “The capability, cargo space and technology make the Suburban a customer favorite that has stood the test of time.”

Chevrolet Suburban fast facts on its history on and off the screen:

  • Suburban has appeared in at least one television series every year since 1956, and at least one film every year since 1960.
  • Suburban has also appeared in over 30 award-nominated films.
  • Suburban is the first vehicle ever awarded an Award of Excellence star by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which was presented on Dec. 5, 2019.
  • Suburban was first introduced in 1935 and is the longest-running nameplate in automotive history, and continues to be an American icon both on the road and on the big screen.
  • Suburban started its production in Arlington in 1999.
    Approximately 1,200 vehicles are produced daily at Arlington Assembly.
  • As of last year, there are nearly 200,000 Suburbans on the road in Texas and a Suburban is sold approximately every 2 hours in Texas.
    Additionally, Texas Chevrolet dealers accounted for four of the top 10 Chevrolet Suburban dealers in the U.S. in 2020.
  • In 2020, Texans bought more Suburbans than the 22 other states, combined.

As the Chevrolet Suburban continues its Hollywood legacy, fans can celebrate its heritage when visiting Arlington’s Entertainment District.

The space is free and open to the public.

For more information on the Suburban, please visit Chevrolet.com/Suburban, and to learn more about GM in Texas, see the 2020 GM Texas State Impact Report.

*Of globally sourced parts.

ABOUT CHEVROLET

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

ABOUT GM ARLINGTON ASSEMBLY PLANT

Arlington Assembly assembles the full-size Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL and Cadillac Escalade SUVs. The first vehicle was assembled at the plant in January 1954. Seventy-five percent of all full-size utility vehicles sold to retail customers in the U.S. are assembled at Arlington Assembly and nearly one in two full-size utility vehicles sold in the U.S. wears the Chevrolet bowtie. To keep up with consumer demand, Arlington Assembly’s production line currently runs 24 hours a day, six days a week, producing one vehicle almost every 60 seconds. The plant has produced over 12 million vehicles since 1954.

ABOUT HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

For more than 97 years, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has provided leadership, business development resources, networking, and government affairs programs and services to keep the Hollywood business and residential communities safe, relevant and economically vital. Donelle Dadigan, is the Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2019-2020, and Rana Ghadban is the President/CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. For more information please visit www.hollywoodchamber.net.

ABOUT ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Arlington, the 49th largest city in America, is a global community and has been recognized as the 8th most diverse city in the country. As a premiere entertainment destination, Arlington attracts nearly 14 million visitors each year and is home to Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor, Texas Live! and three professional sports franchises: the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers and the WNBA’s Dallas Wings. The City, positioned at the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, is also proud to be the home of The University of Texas at Arlington, General Motors, D.R. Horton and a host of global, domestic and family-owned businesses. Quality of life in The American Dream City second to none, with a low cost of living, affordable housing, rich educational and culture opportunities, nationally recognized recreation facilities and 4,600 acres of parkland.

Chevrolet Suburban Award of Excellence June 21, 2021
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