Community Question: What Unique Product From GMC Do You Want To See Most?
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GMC has found an excellent niche in the truck market. GMC stands as the brand consumers embrace if a bowtie is too blue collar, while yearning for a more luxurious experience. And that’s no shame to Chevrolet. They know how to position the two in order to keep GMC successful. If they didn’t know what they were doing, GMC may have been axed alongside Saturn, Pontiac and Hummer during General Motors’ restructuring.
Therefore, we poise a question for you all today: what unique product are you looking for from the GMC brand?
The GMC lineup is largely (well, totally) Chevrolet trucks and SUVs gussied up. Though, GM has done a bang-on job at differentiating styling and branding for each vehicle, think Equinox and Terrain. But we think GMC needs something all to its own. Something special and unique, a hero truck or SUV of sorts.
Dealers have expressed their opinion on a major product gap now that Hummer is a distant memory. Those Hummer buyers now have Jeep to take solace in. A possible GMC Wrangler fighter may do the trick to invite those faithful back into GM’s court with a true off-roader for the brand. And this may be the most plausible scenario, as we’ve heard mumblings about it before.
Or, we can enter the idea from a performance viewpoint. GMC has the Cyclone and Typhoon names to bank on should it ever decide the world needs a truck or SUV faster than some sport cars. An LF4 twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 sounds like it would fit the bill for this product. It may also fill the niche for those seeking a Jeep Cherokee SRT8 alternative.
Going past speculation and dreams, GMC has refiled a trademark for the “Granite” name, a small hatchback-looking concept vehicle the brand showed off years ago. If GMC has plans to use this name, could it be for a Jeep Renegade rival or sorts? Although, the Granite name could be applied to nearly any GMC product. It’s a tough sounding name that would resonate well in the portfolio.
Now that we’re done with our rambling, we turn it to you. Should any of the pseudo-products described here come to life as a halo vehicle for GMC? Or, maybe something else would fit better in your eyes. Let us know in the poll, and be sure to talk to us in the comments.
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I liked the Granite concept (a macho Chev Orlando/Kia Soul size vehicle) but GM also needs a Jeep fighter. There is definitely a place for a range of SUV/crossover speciality vehicles and GMC is the logical place.
The main reason why I believe any off-road/rock climbing vehicle GM produces should be a Chevy is that they have branded GM as the “professional grade” with an implication of top end luxury being it’s forte (no pun intended). Have a rock climbing/off-roading SUV and it goes against the brand image GMC is trying to portray. Chevy is not only the everyman’s vehicle, but also promoted as the sportier/tough division (ie: Colorado ZR2 concept).
It will be tough for GMC to have a brand specific vehicle because if they keep up with their “professional grade” image with luxury at its finest, there are many people who will want that same vehicle but without all the bells and whistles of a Denali, etc and so they would be demanding a Chevy version (which would likely sell at a higher volume).
This is why many luxury vehicles are just up-scaled versions of a lower line car from the same manufacturer (Lexus/Toyota, Acura/Honda, Buick/Chevy, Lincoln/Ford, etc). The up-scaled versions don’t have the volume and wouldn’t pay for the development of that specific platform; they need the lower level vehicle with its volume sales.
I would like to see a new mid-sized SUV based on the new 2015 Colorado frame. A true off-road 4X4 vehicle capable of towing. Similar in design to the standard size Tahoe and Yukon- only smaller with better gas mileage (maybe an optional diesel). There are tons of Chevy Trailblazers and GMC Envoys on the road today, which would be good candidates to upgrade to this new mid-sized SUV.
Check out the Trailblazer that is sold in Australia, Malaysia, etc. It is based on the new Colorado and is a great SUV for both on and off road. Interesting thing is that this new Trailblazer was seen testing in Colorado alongside the new Colorado trucks a year ago.
I think a Jeep fighter / winner is needed. Hummer was on the cusp of seeing big changes if left to grow, and GMC could take the baton from Hummer.
If I was in charge of GMC, I would:
Build a Jeep competitor based on the Colorado Canyon platform.
Use the same drive train components, with upgraded capabilities ( for an off road or on road choice with no compromises.)
Have many versions like Jeep, from highway commuter base trim, to off road king ( Rubicon fighter.)
Offer an adjustable air suspension for occasional off road use ( think Land Rover Discovery ), or same option for “Rubicon” model, for off road adjust ability.
Air locker differential, gearing options, factory lift and larger tires ( like Chevy Colorado ZR2 concept. )
And the dream feature, I would bring back the Avalanche features, with a midgate, removable midgate glass, folding rear seats, and instead of the 3 panel bed covers, have a removable rear top ( old full size Blazer feature ) so you could have as many options available to have more cargo capacity with seats folded down, open air all the way with no top, etc.
Removable wheel flares and front seating removable roof panels( Hummer H4 ) and winch standard on “Rubicon” model, roll bars, etc.
The diesel would be a major selling point, letting you have excellent torque and MPG with large tires and off road chops.
Did I forget anything?
I want to see something aimed at the Jeep Grand Cherokee or even the Range Rover Sport. A mid size, real SUV, with a high level of luxury (just below Cadillac) and exceptional off road ability. Adjustable ride height, multiple terrain modes, panoramic sunroof, high quality leather. Pair it with the 3.0TT or 3.6TT and it’ll be an awesome package. Love the name Granite too.
I think like they have Denali as a sub-brand they should do an off-road sub-brand.
Let Chevy do high performance street trucks.
I mean they could offer the same engine as Chevy, say that new 3.0TT, Chevy is lowered and more street appearance and suspension, where as the twin turbo GMC is lifted and setup for mud and trail
Very simple , the 2015 Chevy SS….with a V6 base engine as well as AWD as an option , built in Canada or the USA !!
Is there an option for “all of the above”?
Something that could go toe to toe with the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT . Would also like to see the GMC’s Denali brand offer an option for a bigger engine and all that goes with that instead of what they are doing now . Although the Denali’s are a good option for their trucks and SUV’s . I have always liked the Granite concept .
While a Wrangler fighter makes perfect sense, especially with the death of the Xterra (the Wrangler’s only real competition left), I’d love to see a mid-size BOF SUV based on the Colorado/Canyon platform ala the Trailblazer/Holden Colorado 7 in world markets. Could put it against the Grand Cherokee and its multiple trim lines as well.
The Wrangler challenger is just what they need. Also a small Renegade challenger would be nice as it would help GM MPG and not make GMC take a Trax version of what Chevy already has.
The Syclone idea is cool but to be honest they have a lot of other things that sell in greater numbers and bring in more revenue than that needed to be done right now. They really still have work to do and niche products will come along in their good time so leave that one on the back burner for now.
I would like to see the Acadia turn a little more SUV like and less Mini Van like. The Ford Explorer has finally taken off after several ok years and I think GM would do well to revamp that model as more a truck than van.
The original Granite show vehicle was cool but it would have to change. I would still like to see the expanding bed version of it.
GMC will in time step out of the Chevy shadow as it add more specialized products not shared. I also see their product being sold more globally as any GM brand could carry them.
A version of the Russia only Niva would be a fantastic start as would the Granite concept.
I would like to see greater differentiation in GMC pick up design so that buyers have a genuinely different looking vehicle.
Lastly, I’d like to see genuine Co branding between Buick and GMC. A solid way to begin might be the merging of trim lines as well as a revised logo shared by both brands in NA.
Return of the GMC Motorhome.
Production version of the GMC Denali XT
I would agree gm recreation vehicle needed.
Too many cheap finished high priced rvs out there today. Need gm to complete and furnish high quality equipment with solid chassis and power train. Both diesel and gas models should be available. Kitchen, bedroom, bathrooms, and living room with appropriate furniture requires gm oversight for the best bang for your buck.
Yes we do need a Jimmy/Blazer Envoy/Trailblazer, But I don’t want Wrangler fight if they don’t give it to Chevy, please give it to us in both Brands. Now as for A GMC only vehicle, a Syclone/Typhoon would be nice.
But what about a GMC Sprint? It would keep with GMC only making trucks, it would split R&D and manufacturing cost with the Chevy SS, it would keep the boyz in OZ happy with a continuation for there ute. And us die hard chevy guys could swap the front clips with the chevy ss and make our own El Caminos.
Something useful, like a mini van. Pontiac Transport/Montana, Chevy Venture, so people don’t have to buy Grand Caravans. Loved my ’97 Transport short wheel base van.
A North American built Ute/El Camino with AWD option. Small block, normal aspiration.
Have driven them in Oz and can recommend with much enthusiasm.
GM should introduce EREV versions of all its small trucks and SUVs, beginning with a EREV GMC Terrain/ Chevy Equinox, which are great sellers as gas models. Gasoline prices will increase, so EREV versions allow the range and easiness of filling up with gas when available, but introduces the quietness, clean, and high torque of electric drive. And for truck drives that need to idle and wait on the job, the electric drive allows the wait with no engine burning gas. An EREV Terrain can get over 40 MPG!.