Monday, December 30, 2019

We Give Thanks And Wish You A Safe And Prosperous New Year


Another year comes to an end and we want to celebrate the ending of 2019 and the beginning of 2020. Thank you to all of our customers, suppliers, vendors, and friends for a magnificent 2019. It is such a pleasure to serve all of you during this and previous years and we look forward with eager anticipation to an even more prosperous and happy new year for all.

Saturday, December 28, 2019

The Latest Manufacturing Technologies Drive Production At GM’s Updated Arlington Assembly Plant

The 1.6-million-square-foot expansion incorporates the latest 
manufacturing-efficiency and quality-control technologies


2019-12-10

ARLINGTON, Texas — A 1.6-million-square-foot expansion of General Motors’ Arlington Assembly facility is designed to improve production-efficiency and build-quality of the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

The previously announced investment of more than $1.4 billion for the plant includes a new, 1-million-square-foot body shop and a 600,000-square-foot expansion of the paint shop, along with new, high-precision camera- and laser-based inspection systems that offer more sophisticated quality checks for the segment-leading SUVs.

“Everything we do at Arlington Assembly is focused on building better vehicles for our customers,” said Bill Kulhanek, plant executive director at Arlington Assembly. “This strategic expansion brings the latest in manufacturing and inspection technologies while adding procedures designed to improve the quality and durability of the Tahoe and Suburban.”

The Arlington investment also accommodates fundamental changes in the all-new vehicles’ design, including:

  • A stronger body architecture with an integrated front end
  • An all-new, available panoramic sunroof
  • A new underbody structure designed for the Tahoe and Suburban’s independent rear suspension, which is the foundation for a roomier third row, improved ride and handling and greater cargo capacity
  • The latest digital vehicle platform that supports more advanced safety features, the capability for over-the-air updates and future technology add-ons
  • New underbody sealing designed to increase the vehicles’ long-term durability
  • A new electro-hydraulic brake system that replaces the previous conventional braking system, requiring new installation procedures
  • Standard LED headlamps that require a new, automated alignment procedure.

“More than the physical changes, the Arlington upgrades increase assembly flexibility in the plant, allowing for more model and trim variations,” Kulhanek said. “That means more choices for customers. In fact, the trim range for Tahoe and Suburban expands to six, with distinct designs and features on each.”

The Arlington plant upgrades are part of GM’s $5 billion investment in U.S. production of new, full-size pickups and SUVs. GM previously invested in enhancements at Fort Wayne Assembly to support the production of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500; and at Flint Assembly, ahead of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD’s launch.

Body shop

Arlington’s all-new, 1-million-square-foot body shop comprises the largest phase of the plant’s expansion and upgrades. GM uses the latest in assembly and quality-assurance technologies to assemble the Tahoe and Suburban bodies with exceptional precision. New features include:


  • All-new robots — 1,450 of them — including the latest six-axis robotic systems, that nearly double the number from the previous body shop, to optimize efficiency and quality
  • Automated vision-system-based dimensional and parts placement stations that use cameras and lasers to more accurately locate body components for assembly and ensure dimensional accuracy prior to welding for proper gaps and flushness
  • Non-contact inspection systems that accommodate temperature fluctuations and other variables in the plant, improving consistency and accuracy
  • Cameras and laser scanners to locate points in body panels that must be pierced for fasteners, contributing to more precise panel alignment during assembly
  • A laser-based quality audit system that uses robot-mounted Leica scanners to quickly produce color maps of assembled bodies to ensure dimensional accuracy

The body shop’s upgraded systems support the SUVs’ new body structure, which features an integrated front-end assembly that is welded to the rest of the body, rather than bolted on later in the assembly process. This improves the visual quality with improved flushness of the front-end body panels with the rest of the body.

“The new body shop is ground zero for the quality built into the new SUVs,” said Mike Stevens, launch manager for Tahoe and Suburban. “It’s a stronger, more precise foundation on which the vehicles are assembled. With the all-new inspection technologies incorporated, we’ve taken quality control to an even higher level.”

Stamping operations

Revamped in 2013 as part of a $200 million investment, Arlington Assembly has one of the most efficient, contiguous stamping operations in the industry, accommodating steel and aluminum components (the new SUVs feature lightweight aluminum doors, hood and lift gate panels), along with the capability of high-speed die changes to accommodate greater model variation.

In fact, die changes such as changing between the Tahoe’s roof panel and the longer Suburban roof panel, or changing from door outer panels to the lift gate panel can be made in a matter of minutes, compared to the hours it can take in other facilities. Enormous overhead cranes move the dies, which can weigh up to 60,000 pounds each, in and out of place. Up to five die sets are used for each body panel.

A five-step robotic process is used to form the panels and pierce necessary holes. As with the new body shop, a camera-based inspection system helps ensure dimensional accuracy and supports faster, more accurate parts tracking.

The flexibility of the stamping operations, particularly with the high-speed die changes, allows the plant to produce a greater number of components on-site.

Paint shop

After leaving the body shop, the bare body assemblies are sent through the upgraded paint shop, which benefited from a 600,000-square-foot addition. It employs many new procedures and revised processes, including:


  • A new “thin-film” pretreatment process is used to prep the steel and aluminum bodywork to accept paint. It’s a more environmentally-friendly process than the previous method, which used more caustic material to etch the metal.
  • After the thin film process, the bodies are rinsed before being immersed in another tank for electro-deposition coating, commonly called Elpo or E-dip, which helps seal the metal for corrosion protection.
  • The bodies move next to the underbody sealing station, which uses robots to precisely and consistently apply liquid material to the seams and body-panel overlaps on the bottom of the body assembly. This new procedure is designed to enhance corrosion resistance.
  • A more environmentally-friendly waterborne top-coat system replaces the solvent-based materials previously used in the paint shop. It also requires less time and less material than solvent-based paints.
  • Vision-system cameras are used to verify various color and paint finish-quality characteristics.

The new and revised features within the paint shop complement additional improvements made in recent years; and because the front fenders and hood are now painted in line with the rest of the body, the integrated front-end assembly has a smoother overall appearance.

“We are now able to perform a single, continuous paint application across the body,” said Benito Garcia, paint shop project lead. “The more consistent color spray-out creates a more consistent finish, from front to rear. It’s a big win for the paint-finish quality of the new Tahoe and Suburban.”

Arlington Assembly’s enhancements are also supported by a new, nearby supplier park that includes two industrial manufacturing and warehouse facilities, enabling reduced transportation costs and quicker turnaround for parts used to build the vehicles.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban will go on sale in mid-2020.

Arlington Assembly at a Glance    


  • Opened in 1954
  • Employs approximately 4,800 hourly and salaried personnel
  • The 1-million-square-foot expansion brings the overall floorplan to 5.75 million square feet
  • Wind energy supplies power to the plant, earning it a spot on the National Top 100 list of largest green power users

General Motors is a global company committed to delivering safer, better and more sustainable ways for people to get around. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Holden, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, and Maven, its personal mobility brand, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

GM vs Ford vs Dodge! Here's The 2021 Chevy Suburban & Tahoe Comparison


( http://www.TFLtruck.com ) The New 2021 Chevy Suburban & GMC Tahoe are all new and the big news is that now you can get a diesel engine in both trucks. But how do these compare to the Ford Expedition Max and the Dodge Durango? Watch this video to find out.

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

We Wish You Joy!


In whatever way or language you celebrate this holiday season at the year's end, we wish you safe travels and all the love and joy possible.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

A Variety Of Uses In This Unique Work Truck


Rich McGrath with Paradise Chevrolet shows off the really cool Morgan ProScape Landscaper body mounted on a crew cab 4500 Low Cab Forward chassis. M18529 is our stock number on this unit and you can see more about it here.

Think of how many different ways you can use this body: As a landscaper, as a dry freight van body and much more. From the fold-down rear entrance to the side door access to the spacious interior, not to mention the huge crew quarters to get everyone to the job site in comfort.

This unit is ready to move and go to work. Give us a call at 951-252-2980 for more information.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Retractable Utility Bed Cover



A job site necessity, the Retractable Utility Bed Cover is designed for service bodies. It’s available as a manual spring-action cover or with an electric motor operated by a manual switch and optional with a hands-free remote (sold separately). The Retractable Utility Bed Cover offers service body owners the metal look with heavy-gauge aluminum panels and a tough, powder-coated finish. It’s a great-looking retractable tonneau that’s incredibly easy to use. It opens quickly with the turn of the lock knob or a flick of a switch. (Optional hands- free remote sold separately.)

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Work Truck Wednesday: The Mechanic's Dream Truck






You've got heavy tools, power equipment along with plenty of needed items to get the job done effectively and efficiently. You rely on your truck to get you there safely and with some comfort as well. You need the space and you need the weigh-carrying capacity but you don't want too big a truck that requires a commercial driver's license. Here is a perfect choice. Need a crane too? We can add a compact articulating crane to take care of that and save your back. 

Here is the new Chevrolet Silverado Medium-Duty 5500 chassis with 19,500 lbs GVWR of capacity driven by the proven Duramax Diesel and Allison Automatic transmission, This truck is still as low to the ground as can be and carry the load with the 19.5-inch Aluminum wheels and low-profile HD tires. The Harbor ComboMaster truck body has tall 56" compartments to allow for maximum storage, and the best feature of the ComboMaster is the 36" work platform on the rear with fold-down short gates which will get out of the way and an HD forklift-loadable material rack that doesn't have posts on the rear that get in the way of getting work done on the platform. All of this with the comfort of the Silverado cab will make your trips far more enjoyable.

See more about this truck here.

See all of our commercial truck ready-to-go-to-work units at https://paradisefleet.com/

Friday, December 13, 2019

Breaking News - The All-New 2021 Chevy Tahoe & Suburban Go Big and Bold With Diesel Power!


The 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban have been revealed with all-new styling as well as gasoline V8 engines and — diesel lovers rejoice — GM's new 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel! Find out more from Chevy's official reveal in Detroit.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Work Truck Wednesday: Get The Van With PHVAC Upfit


Mike Nemec shows off this 2500 Express Cargo van with Masterack PHVAC interior bin package upfit. Paradise Fleet carries a huge selection of upfitted cargo vans in stock ready to go to work. Call Mike Nemec or one of our knowledgeable fleet pros at 951-252-2980.

See more about this van here. Check out our huge selection of ready-to-go-to-work-today trucks at https://paradisefleet.com

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Chevrolet Suburban Hollywood Star Reveal


The Chevrolet Suburban became the first vehicle ever awarded an Award of Excellence star at Hollywood & Highland. Presented by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and unveiled at a ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard, the award recognizes Suburban for its 67-year career in Hollywood film and television. “For six decades the Chevrolet Suburban has been Hollywood’s longest-working actor,” said Rana Ghadban, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. “Appearing in classic feature films and on must-see television shows, the Suburban is a well-established industry mainstay. With the Chevrolet Tahoe also making an impact in movies and on television, it’s impressive to have both vehicles now join an illustrious group of actors and characters that are forever known as Hollywood legends.” During its acting career, the Suburban evolved to become the ultimate character actor, able to play the hero, the villain, or the family alike. “There’s really nothing else like the Chevrolet Suburban in this business, for two reasons,” said Dennis McCarthy, Hollywood picture car coordinator. “First, it’s one of the most versatile vehicles in the business, able to fit with any type of character. Second, it can help instantly give a scene added importance. When a convoy of black Suburbans appears on the screen, you know that’s not the time to leave your seat to buy popcorn.” The relationship between the Chevy Suburban and Hollywood began in 1952 when it first appeared on the silver screen. Since then, Suburban has starred in more than 1,750 films and television series. It 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 more than 30 award-nominated films. The filmography is even more impressive when combined with the Chevy Tahoe. Together, Tahoe and Suburban have appeared in more than 2,500 films and television shows. Since the Tahoe was introduced in 1995, it has appeared in at least one film and television show every year. According to Tim Kozub, design manager for Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, their on-screen persona also influenced the all-new Suburban and Tahoe, which will be unveiled later this month: “This is a great example of how life and art influence each other. The popularity of Suburban and Tahoe in the film was first inspired by the real-life roles they played in the military, in law enforcement and family trips around the world. Today, their role in Hollywood inspired the design of the all-new models, as we integrated the sense of capability, action, and importance associated with Suburban and Tahoe on screen.”

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Work Truck Wednesday - Wide Open Spaces Under Cover






As so-called Plumber Bodies go, this unit is a dream. It has so much space inside under cover and outside in sealed compartments to carry tools, parts, equipment, products, you-name-it. We think it is much more than a Plumber Body and works for all manner of service providers, especially those that need to work in the field all day and have what they need to get their jobs done.

This body is approximately 13' long and is mounted on the Chevrolet 4500 Cutaway Chassis to handle the weight and yet is low to the ground and easy to get in and out of in addition to having excellent maneuverability.

See more about this truck here.

See all our plumber bodies here.

Best option: Give us a call at 951-252-2980 and talk to one of our fleet & commercial specialists!

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Quick Tips: How do I use my vehicle's Remote Key Fob feature? | Chevrolet


Learn how to access and use your Remote Key Fob on the myChevrolet app to lock or unlock your vehicle doors, start your engine, and more.