In late January, the Wall Street Journal revived rumors that suggested an ultra-capable off-road GMC vehicle could be on its way. We first got word General Motors’ dedicated truck and SUV brand was considering such a model in 2014, however the chances of it coming to fruition are now higher than ever.
WSJ’s report indicated GMC was shopping the idea around to dealers in order to gauge consumer interest. Adding another SUV to the GMC lineup makes more sense now than ever considering the strong demand for crossovers and SUVs, and brand vice president Duncan Aldred is eager to capitalize on the upward momentum of the GMC brand by expanding its lineup.
A Wrangler-fighting GMC would apparently borrow design cues from GM’s Hummer lineup and offer similar capabilities. This strengthens the case for the ultra capable GMC model even more, as it may not only appease off-roading enthusiasts, but fans of the ousted Hummer brand, too.
Would you like to see GMC produce an answer to the Jeep Wrangler and other dedicated off-road products? We think there’s plenty of room for competition in the Wrangler’s niche segment and see GMC as the most fitting GM brand to create such a product. Let us know if you agree by voting below, and feel free to discuss in the comments.
Comments
Hummer sub-brand, at GMC dealers stateside, Opel/Vauxhall/Holden/China abroad. Leaner, greener, faster, and profitable differentiation.
Position it with better entry-level MPG than Jeep and the eco-ahems won’t have a leg to stand on.
I feel they should already have it. It should already by in production; if they wait too much longer, it will be too late, considering the price of oil.
I think GMC should build on what it has accomplished in the last 8 years, which is being a luxury truck brand (with Cadillac being a luxury performance car brand). It’s clear people are willing to pay $10K extra for the Denali trim of any GMC vehicle. Trying to cut into the Wrangler’s dominance in the full off-road segment is not necessarily a wise move. This is what the dealers want. But the consumers prefer the Wrangler if they need to go off-road.
So what should happen in my opinion:
1. Share components with a ZR2 model at Chevrolet
2. Share the upcoming diesel from the Colorado / Canyon
3. Make the ‘Jeep fighter” a cross between the concept that never was built, H4, and a Land Rover; take all of the bits of the H4 ( removable fender flares, doors, top, etc.) and ability to go from a entry level to high optioned truck of a Land Rover to cover many demographics.
4. Give it a data Recorder, ala Vette, for off road assistance in having cameras front and rear and in the side mirrors to aid in maneuvers and record everything.
5. Round it out with an air suspension ( also like Land Rover/Ram ) and winches front and rear and optional accessories like off road lighting, tents, etc.
Anything missing?
Oh, my vote of yea or nay…
Yea all the way!
There are people who wanna buy that kind of cars, there is a market for it. So, GM has to produce it. GM should produce it also under Chevrolet as the Blazer and in a bigger TraiBlazer. GM must also produce other halo cars as an AUDI TT and Peugeot RCZ fighter under Cadillac and Chevy and why not as an Opel without forgetting the utility segment.
Sure why not. I never understood all the other Domestic manufactures just letting Jeep have the smaller go anywhere off road SUV market all to themselves. GM and Ford both used to offer viable competitors to the Jeep. But i guess the call of all that loot from full size 4-door SUV sales was too strong to resist.
Personally the only reason i don’t own a SUV vs a outright truck is because I’m under no illusions about the blatant lack of “sport” most fullsize SUVs have with regards to true off roading. Give me something shorter and narrower with heavy duty off road capability (like a Jeep or Grand Cherokee) and Maybe GM would get some of my money!
People like the Wrangler style jeeps for all the removable body panels. No other OEM can compete with them. And, of course, they’re a beast off-road. Even if owners seldom take off their doors or roof – or go off-road – the option is there. Based on a test drive that I took in an Unlimited, the trade-offs for all that image (for most people) is poor highway manners. I also test drove a Toyota FJ. It would have made a better daily driver, for those that like the feeling of being in a cave. Very closed off. None of its body panels were removable and there wasn’t even a sunroof option from the factory.
My advice for The General is to build a Jeep fighter while keeping in mind why most people buy them. It’s not for the ride. It’s not for the fuel economy. They buy them for the image they project. GM has plenty of ability to build a terrific off-road vehicle that can compete for jeep buyers money. Hopefully they’ll do a better job than Toyota’s FJ on the open top and doors that make jeeps so popular.
He’ll yeah GMC should make a Wrangler competitor plus a Grand Cherokee competitor and while they are at it Raptor one as well.
I think GMC should fill some of the white space in the premium truck market. Leave the big volume products for Chevrolet.
The GMC brand could justify the higher sticker prices that these vehicles will command.
And build it in Oshawa :-). We’re ready, willing & able to take on the job!
While I think GM should do this, I also think “good luck.” GM, no doubt, would put up an awesome product. It would be fun to see with what they would come up. Jeep has been Jeep since the War. It has been making its name for 74 years (more or less). When people think about buying a good value Jeep-like product they don’t think Ford, Toyota, Nissan/Datsun, Range Rover, or GM. They think Jeep. We had the Hummer that was based on a true modern military vehicle, and it didn’t live near as long as Jeep, that is based on a WWII military vehicle. There is just something about a Jeep that is in everyone’s DNA. When people think go anywhere off-road, a thrill comes into their hearts and it is the shape of a Jeep. You have the thought and emotion inertia of a tanker to get past.
I just don’t think there is a business, marketing, or post-production plan that can pull it off. I suspect that whatever incredible advancement GM would make Jeep would either incorporate or simply pass on. So, GM, try it, but don’t think of it as a money maker. Think of it as an exercise of enjoyment.
I think it could be a great idea, if they do it right. What I would love to see (and buy) is a Canyon based Blazer, but in the style of the 67-74 with the fully removable top
THIS IS A REALLY DUMB QUESTION. NOT ON GM AUTHORITIES PART AND YES I’M YELLING, BUT DUMB ON G.M.S PART—– THE WRANGLER IS A HUGEEEEEEEE SALES PHENOM…. TO LET JEEP CONTUNUE TO WALK AWAY WITH BOAT LOADS OF MONEY AND FILL THE VAULTS SO THEY CAN USE ALL THAT MONEY TO BUILD AND FUND OTHER PRODUCTS IS JUST STUPID ON GM’S PART. GM had the right formula going with Hummer in the end but never gave it a chance. They had the Hummer Truck, the H3 smaller SUV – the H$4 Wrangler competitor was in concept form but it made everyone salivate as to what GM was gooa bring to market finally – a true Wrangler competitor.
What GM needs to do though to get it right, right from the start is to remember the 4 door WRangler now far outsells the 2 door. Families and people love the 4 door as it is more practical and honestly looks better than a 2 door. So GM need to offer right out of the gate a 4 and 2 door model. Do not change the styling too much though as you can see – the H$4 concept still looks modern and the design is not dating at all, just like the Wrangler has changed little and the design just keeps on going and going, and going. I would be one of the 1st people to line up for one when it comes to market. SO GM —– UMMMM STOP DOING CLINICS AND JUST BRING A NEW CONCEPT TO A SHOW, BUT IN PRODUCTION FORM SO WE DON’T HAVE TO WAIT 4 YEARS, WHILE JEEP RACKS UP MORE SALES AND LOADS THE BOATS FULL OF CASH – BY THEN – FORD WILL SAY HAHAHAHA LOOK WHAT WE ARE DOING – THEY WILL BRING A COOL SMALLER BRONCO TO MARKET AND STEAL GMC’S THUNDER.. GM——- HEY GMMMMM==== GIVE GMC A NEW LINE CALLED THE EXCLUSIVE LINE THAT IS MADE UP OF OFF ROAD VEHICLES TO COMPETE WITH THE CHEROKEE – THE WRANGLER – THE LANROVER DEFENDER ….GIVE THEM SWEET POWER – OFF ROAD LOOKS WITH BIG TIRES, FENDERFLARES – OFF ROAD LIGHTS – ETC..LOVE GM AND LOVEEEEE GM AUTHORITY
No – And they would have to get Obama’s approval anyway
The fact is this model has been kicked around for a while and they have looked into it first as a Hummer and then GMC.
I really think they were just waiting for a new platform that would support it to come along and I get the feeling it may be on the way now.
The fact is it is not as easy as saying hey let build it now. It takes a platform to support it. Sure you may have adapted another to do it but in the end you end up with a lot of compromise. It may be the Alpha may now support this and now that GM is getting their house together with the new Malibu, Nox and Cruze they can turn their attention to new product like this.
While it sounds like a slam dunk idea they had to take care of the products that pay the bills first. GM even as large as they are can only support so many programs at once and he higher volume ones and more profitable ones need to come first and then you go back to this new untried model and make it the best way you can with the profits from the other vehicles.
This is a lot more than just clinics and other things we the public think about. This is about having a proper platform at a time where you can allocate the proper funding to do it right. You just can’t build this on a whim or you will have issues and compromises that just end up hurting you.
If you are going to do it you need to do it right and stop toss up the Hail Marys like GM has on things like the Solstice, Fiero and other half completed compromised deals.
What purpose was keeping GMC around if all they are going to be is rebranded Chevys?? In my opinion, GMC has been long overdue for a unique product. And not just one, a Wrangler fighter and a Raptor fighter are almost necessary. I think that anything unique or special GM builds in the future dealing with trucks and suvs should go straight to GMC. GMC needs a brand image and right now being just rebranded Chevys is not the way to do it.
Im all for this idea just dont make it like the new jeep renegade. Most ugly car ever looks like a nissan…. Just bring back the k5 blazers/jimmy and ill be happy
They should because there is plenty of money to be made. Toyota killed the FJ and Nissan is killing the Xterra which only leaves Jeep for any off road vehicle. Sure, there is Land Rover, but not many people buy them new to do real off roading anymore. GM needs to build a real Wrangler fighter. But, the question is would I buy it? Probably not because I know they will eventually abandon it just like they did with Hummer, which was a huge mistake. They should have just killed the H2 and focused on improving the H3 and another smaller model. People loved the Hummer brand, overall image and capability, but those nitwits killed it. I’m looking for a new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited at this very moment and will wait to see what 2016 brings before I pull the trigger.
The Trailblazer was such a vehicle.