General Motors currently builds all of its full-size SUVs at just only one facility, namely the GM Arlington plant in Texas. However, back in June, The General announced plans to begin full-size SUV production at the GM Lake Orion plant in Michigan as well. At the time, it wasn’t clear if the move would expand General Motors’ full-size SUV production volume, or merely spread it out across two facilities. In other words, would full-size SUV production at Lake Orion be in addition to full-size SUV production at Arlington, or would Lake Orion take away production from Arlington? Now, we have our answer.
At it turns out, General Motors just published its Q2 sales results, and with it, confirmation that it would increase capacity of its full-size SUV production “to meet demand,” while simultaneously “adding capacity for next-generation light duty full-size pickups” at Lake Orion. Essentially, General Motors is now set to produce a higher volume of full-size SUVs once Lake Orion goes online.
Suffice to say, this is big news, as it indicates that General Motors is now aiming to double-down on its dominance in the full-size SUV market. In Q1 of 2025, General Motors moved 79,428 full-size SUV units in the U.S. alone, up more than 32 percent year-over-year. That volume includes major players like the Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade. The Chevy Tahoe was the volume leader, moving nearly 30,000 units, followed by the GMC Yukon at just over 23,000 units.
Sales Numbers - GM Full-Size SUVs - Q1 2025 - USA
| MODEL | Q1 25 / Q1 24 | Q1 25 | Q1 24 | Q1 25 SHARE | Q1 24 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TAHOE | +27.88% | 29,827 | 23,324 | 38% | 39% |
| GMC YUKON | +29.48% | 23,324 | 18,013 | 29% | 30% |
| CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | +40.38% | 13,594 | 9,684 | 17% | 16% |
| CADILLAC ESCALADE | +38.84% | 12,683 | 9,135 | 16% | 15% |
| TOTAL | +32.04% | 79,428 | 60,156 |
Zooming out to the broader full-size SUV segment, The General’s lead is more than apparent. Of the 119,002 full-size SUVs sold in Q1 of 2025, GM accounted for 67 percent of the market, leaving competitors like Ford, Jeep, Toyota, and Nissan vying for a shrinking piece of the pie.
Sales Numbers - Full-Size SUVs - Q1 2025 - USA
| MODEL | Q1 25 / Q1 24 | Q1 25 | Q1 24 | Q1 25 SHARE | Q1 24 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TAHOE | +27.88% | 29,827 | 23,324 | 25% | 20% |
| GMC YUKON | +29.48% | 23,324 | 18,013 | 20% | 16% |
| CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | +40.38% | 13,594 | 9,684 | 11% | 8% |
| FORD EXPEDITION | -37.47% | 13,482 | 21,560 | 11% | 19% |
| JEEP WAGONEER | -58.88% | 5,400 | 13,131 | 5% | 11% |
| TOYOTA SEQUOIA | -14.28% | 5,107 | 5,958 | 4% | 5% |
| NISSAN ARMADA | -1.69% | 3,910 | 3,977 | 3% | 3% |
| CADILLAC ESCALADE | +38.84% | 12,683 | 9,135 | 11% | 8% |
| INFINITI QX80 | +64.34% | 4,064 | 2,473 | 3% | 2% |
| LINCOLN NAVIGATOR | +29.77% | 4,058 | 3,127 | 3% | 3% |
| JEEP GRAND WAGONEER | -47.92% | 1,849 | 3,550 | 2% | 3% |
| LEXUS LX | +0.41% | 1,704 | 1,697 | 1% | 1% |
| TOTAL | +2.92% | 119,002 | 115,629 |
Now, with last month’s investment announcement, General Motors is poised to ramp up full-size SUV production even further at its Lake Orion facility, making The General’s position look even more formidable.
For those that may be unaware, The General’s full-size SUVs are among its most lucrative products, as are its full-size pickups, both of which ride on the same GM T1 platform. Taking all that into account, with rivals struggling and General Motors scaling production, The General’s dominance in this key segment is now looking like it may reach an entirely new level.
Comments
As the economy is about to tank.
You’ve been saying this for months….so since you have so much wisdom, mind telling us when the tanking happens? I mean even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Let me remind you that the GM of now is not the same as the GM of 2008. The current GM has competitive fuel efficient options now. So a spike in gas prices wouldn’t mean complete jumping ship away from the companies products.
I repeatedly say. My XT5 with the turbo 4 is more fuel efficient than my Rav4 with it’s aging AR engine and it’s a larger and heavier vehicle.
Beach,
What makes you post such a thing?
Full-size Fords and Jeeps only available with over-stressed six cylinder engines where higher levels of NVH and RPM are necessary – particularly under load. GM offers better engine selections for their larger SUV’s.
GM should offer a 3/4 ton version of the Tahoe and Suburban with a solid rear axle for heavier towing.