GMC In Line To Receive Vehicle Unique From Chevrolet
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In a way, General Motors’ GMC brand has always played second fiddle to Chevrolet. Although Big Red’s current lineup consists of models that are, for the most part, mechanically and technologically identical to Chevrolets, The General’s product chief, Mark Reuss, says the health of GMC is “astonishingly good, from a consideration standpoint.” More interestingly, though, is that Reuss confirmed that GM is working on at least one GMC product that won’t share its architecture with another GM product, reports Automotive News.
When asked if the market would ever see a GMC vehicle that didn’t share its underpinnings with a Chevrolet, Reuss replied, “Oh, yes, you will.”
The executive declined to elaborate on the vehicle in question, but cited GMC’s pricing and appeal to non-GM consumers as reasons to invest further in the brand.
Meanwhile, Vice President of Global Design, Ed Welburn, told AN last week that the GMC design studio is “as busy as it’s ever been”, working on several concepts and products, all of which are trucks.
Perhaps the Syclone is coming back? We hope so.
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I was watching a GMC advert last night, and was thinking how both GMC and Buick are being aimed at non GM customers.
It then occurred to me that Chevy should be making an identical pitch considering it’s loss in market share. I would almost say that GMC and Buick are better suited to compete against Ford from a styling and options standpoint.
Granite? Reuss talks about wagons
The Granite has been cancelled.
Ok now will some of you believe me when I tell you GMC will diversify in time.
Gmc will proved some new ideas that just could not be done at a Chevy price point.
GM as a whole is reaching out to more than the GM buyers. With Buick and GMC they have a better price point to diversify their lines. Not everyone wants a Chevy nor can they afford a Cadillac.
This is more than another Syclone or possible Granite.
What is interesting is Mark said it was a platform not shared with any GM product? Just what could that be?
I know you said something that doesn’t have the same underpinnings as a Chevrolet, but what about a small SUV on the Colorado/Canyon platform? With a 3.6TT (VVT, SIDI, AFM and iVVL) and the new 8-Speed Auto!?
EvanG has the same idea I came up with. An SUV, body on frame with a real low range transfer case for true off road capability based on the new Canyon/Colorado such as already exists downunder.
I love the idea of GMC branching out, and taking aim at Jeep. Each brand moves about the same number of units in the US, and I would love to know if the brands share similar income demographics? I have noticed that GMC seems to sell better image NYC trip state metro area which must be about Chevy’s weakness along the coasts.
Terrain is a great start (my favorite of the platform mates designs). Now a smaller crossover is needed, maybe something like Buick China’s Envision concept, and something to compete against the Wrangler.
These models can globally be sold as Chevy, cutting down and spreading out cost.
Even though GM is a massive company with four NA brands, it is still not active in certain segments, and GMC-Buick dealers would be a great way to move more product.
I agree with EvanG/Paul. I think the market for a real 4Runner competitor is running thin simply cause the product has not improved enough over time. I would definitely buy a Holden Colorado 7 if the sold one here in North America. Sell it with the same 2.8 Duramax Diesel. There are people who want an efficient body on frame SUV that can seriously go off road!
I don’t know if the Holden Colorado 7 would sell very well. In my defense, it doesn’t look quite up to par with other SUVs. Perhaps a baby Yukon or a new Envoy would be better. The Envoy Denali has always been my favorite GMC ever since it came out, it would amazing if GMC brought it back! With a 3.6TT or a 2.8TDI and the 8L90!
Gmc should be able to take sells away from jeep!
Even you are on the right track as this is something not only Chevy does not have but something no one atGM NA has . The price point would also fit a jeep fighter.
I also expect not only a Cherokee fighter but so some kind of wrangler fighter.
A GMC version of the H2
and H3
and H4
It’s about time!
A GMC version of the global trailblazer aimed directly at the jeep grand Cherokee
I think the duplication of GMC and Buick is the most stupid. Why do they need a Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia when most Buick dealers have GMC?
For a GMC only product, how about a small pick-up like the Chevy Montana which is sold in Brazil?
http://www.chevrolet.com.br/pickups/montana.html
AP Sloan, after looking up the link provided I believe this is the same as the Holden Ute that a lot of us wish GM would bring here-me included. If I am wrong I’m sure I will be corrected. Anyways I wouldn’t mind having one if it were offered here.
@paul
Holden ute is based upon the commodore and being discontinued. The Montana is a small fwd pickup. Don’t know if the offer it awd.
I’m thinking it will be the Reaper.
Definitely the Reaper.
One would think that GM would Federalize all global models, and then make make them available if nothing else by special order.
The UTE is nearing the end off it’s life cycle, but vehicles like the Colorado 7 should slways be for sale provided a customer is willing to pay shipping/needed modifications. The Montana is another good example.
GMC should be used to better compete with not just Jeep but also Rover and even offer one smaller Hummer sort of vehicle.
The auto press likes to talk about killing off GMC; instead, the brand needs to evolve, and take on previously unexplored segments.
It’s easy to kill a brand, but not so easy to build a brand as we’ve seen with every modern effort ranging from Edsel, Imperial, Geo, Merker, and Saturn.
GMC currently moves more product monthly than Mazda, and could hit 50,000 units monthly with the proper product mix. I’m convinced that GMC/Buick has the potential to hit 90,000 units combined making the distribution network an important player in GMs NA strategy.
@tephen Marcus
Agree. GMC is very profitable and makes some great looking vehicles. Combined with Buick, it could be one heck of dealership. We just need some revamping of Buick.
Some earlier comments were about the granite, which got cancelled. The vehicle is about as ugly as an Aztec but was an interesting concept. I saw they even had a very interesting compact pick-up version displayed at one point. With some better styling, it could fill a nice niche:
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/11/first-look-gmc-granite-compact-pickup-truck-concept-revealed.html