JANESVILLE, Wis. -- The last sport utility vehicle to be assembled at General Motors' plant in Janesville rolled off the line on Tuesday.

VIDEO: Watch The Report | VIDEO: Auto Expert Talks Impact Of Plant's Closing | READ: Locals, Officials React To GM Plant's Final Day | READ: Kenosha's Experience Offers Example For Janesville

With the plant slated to close permanently later that morning, workers began arriving at about 4:30 a.m. with the shift starting at just before 6 a.m. It took only an hour for the final SUV to be completed, WISC-TV reported.

Workers followed the vehicle down the line after they finished their job and it all ended in a ceremony to honor all those who have given their effort and hearts over the years at the plant. They finished it and everybody was given a chance to get their pictures taken with the SUV. Work on the 2009 Chevy Tahoe LTZ ended before 7:30 a.m.

However, the Janesville Gazette reports workers' union contract requires them to be at the plant for at least four hours, so most won't be leaving until about 10 a.m.

Jim Leute, business editor for the Janesville Gazette, said that GM and UAW officials spoke to the workers when the vehicle was all done.

"Two local union officials said the same thing, and said now is the time for our union brothers and sisters to lean on one another, and that there still is a ray of hope out there," he said.

Tuesday was a day that many workers and retirees said that they never believed would come. Some joked that rumors of GM closing the plant Janesville started the day after the plant opened 86 years ago.

But on Tuesday, a Janesville without a production line became reality.

Assembly line worker Karen Green said the mood in the plant was somber as some people hugged each other and others wiped their eyes. Green said that she was doing fine until plant manager Gary Malkus thanked everyone for their work. Then she cried. The 55-year-old Fort Atkinson resident worked on the assembly line for 14 years.

Walking away from the jobs that built the city was difficult, but it wasn't completely a solemn occasion. When work was done, many celebrated their achievements.

Many said that they were surprised by the emotions. Some said it was difficult to walk away from jobs that had helped build the city.

"I didn't expect all the clapping at the end of the line. It was kind of more a sad day than a happy moment. But people were hugging and crying," said worker Sandy Kerl.

Still, some had to take a step back.

"I tried to stay away from the people that were crying. I didn't want any part of that. I'm getting a lot of these 'Thinking of you' texts from all my friends because everybody knows what's going on," said worker Sue Martin.

Managers had planned to spend part of Tuesday talking to employees, many of whom have worked at the plant for decades. The closing of GM's SUV production eliminates 1,200 jobs. Employees were trickling out of the General Motors plant in Janesville all morning.

For decades, Janesville has been a GM town. The end of production marks the loss of a icon in the southern Wisconsin city, WISC-TV reported.

The reality of plant's closing could take time to set in for many workers. Kerl said the holidays offer a bit of a buffer against the shock of the plant's demise.

"After the holidays when everyone else goes back to work and we don't get to go back, I think that's when it will hit home the hardest," Kerl said.

"Everybody's saying goodbye, a lot of hugging," said worker Randy Tunks, who worked at the plant for 22 years. "We worked a lot of years, a lot of friends down there. Who knows if we'll see them again?"

Many of the workers said that they think it's going to be difficult to find a new career. Those who are going back to school said that they're finding that classes are filling up quickly.

While some look for new career opportunities, many said that they hope their careers here in Janesville will continue. Some said that as long as there's the slightest chance GM can bring a new product to Janesville, they'll do what they can to show that they deserve it

In the meantime, a skeleton crew will remain at the plant to finish off a small joint venture producing trucks for Isuzu.

The Tahoe will be raffled away with proceeds going to the local United Way, WISC-TV reported.

Plant's Closing Expected To Have Ripple Effect On Local Economy

GM's closure is expected to have a ripple effect on other employers in the Janesville area, WISC-TV reported.

Already, several GM suppliers are also closing and laying off their workers. Among those are Lear Corp., Logistics Services, Allied Automotive Group and Flint Services -- all in Janesville -- as well as the Woodbridge Group in Brodhead. Those layoffs total more than 1,000 workers.

Officials said that it's estimated a total of 10,000 jobs will ultimately be lost in the area.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.