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What’s A Price Ceiling? GMC Says There’s More Room For Premium Pickups

Luxury pickup trucks have become a staple market for many automakers, and it’s lent great fortune to General Motors, Ford and Fiat-Chrysler. Specifically, GMC and the Denali sub-brand has become a money-printer for GM.

Have we reached a price ceiling on just how expensive a GMC pickup can be? Apparently, no.

Motor Authority spoke with GMC’s global vice president, Duncan Aldred, and he told the publication in a Monday report that there’s still room for premium truck pricing to grow.

“We haven’t reached the price ceiling or feature ceiling. Customers will pay for premium features,” he said.

The typical GMC vehicle sells for $44,000, which already nips at German luxury brands’ transaction prices. However, Denali models sell for an average of $55,600, which tops Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Audi and BMW.

Aldred also told the publication that 60 percent of buyers choose the Ultimate Denali package when shopping the range-topping Denali line of trucks. Last year, 29 percent of all GMC sales were Denali models.

And GMC is capitalizing on a mass-market trend. A February report detailed the shift from luxury cars to luxury trucks is underway, and more GMC dealers are filling their used car lots with pre-owned German luxury cars. Sales figures reflect the momentum, too; in 2012 GMC accounted for just 0.1 percent of domestic sales. Last year, GMC’s share was up to 11.3 percent.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. These prices on some of these trucks are getting really high, here in Toronto the new ram 1500 limited is stickering at 85,300$. I know soon there will be plenty of rebates like the usual 20-25% off but wow a ram for 80+ with that scale a fully specked Denali will top 90K for a 1500 model.

    The last gen ram Sierra here were stickered around 68-78 that’s a pretty big jump in a matter of couple years

    Reply
    1. Ram already has up to $20k off trucks in Canada

      Reply
      1. Ya for the 2017’s and 2018’s you can almost year round get 20-25% off but the 2018’s limited and longhorns stickers for around 71-72$ But the 2019’s with the same options is 85+ The 13,000 jump was what I was trying to say.

        The ceiling is going higher and higher and the buyers are out there

        Reply
  2. What I find crazy is that the pickup has become the new “lifestyle statement” vehicle. Don’t get me wrong, I love my own Chevy pickup, but it’s crazy to me that people pay that kind of money for these Luxury versions. I’m not here to judge, it’s just an interesting perspective to see from the outside. People scoff that buying a 40k dollar Cadillac sedan is being “unnecessary”, but somehow a 80k dollar pickup is not.

    But hey, sell the people what they want to buy! Money talks. I feel like someday, this truck obsession will be in an automotive history book, just like the insanely large sedans of the early 70s, the Minivan craze, etc.

    Reply
  3. That’s great and all, but you still have to put the Adaptive Cruise, park assist like F150, tablet like screen like the ones on the RAM, more soft touch materials onto the top end sierra though!

    Reply
    1. It already has adaptive cruise and soft touch materials. It doesn’t need the silly gimmick tablet screen. If you can’t parallel with surround view cameras and sensors, you should buy a smaller vehicle. Besides, how often do you park anyways? Complain much without the facts?

      Reply
  4. It is not crazy as these are now the main stream vehicle from base model to luxury ride.
    Cars today are not the large RWD sedan of the past that could be a truck in a pinch with plywood on the roof.

    The half tons three. quarter ton can push $90k the on3 tons can go over now and one ton over $100k.

    Mid size slows at $40k and stops dead before $50k.

    It comes down to the ability to get the top end with all th3 crazy luxury stuff or you can opt to go less and still get a really good truck.

    The GMC line has a SLT that is a 90% Denali for much less. It is the bargain luxury truck.

    You want a reasonable truck go Chevy LT.

    The full size truck is what the Caprice was to the sedan market. It could be a taxi or near luxury car and even a performance car.

    Reply
  5. Then what’s these point of trying too keep car’s like impala sedan/sonic sedan/hatchback around. Went your truck can do it all.

    Reply
  6. Given that Rolls-Royce will be introducing their Cullinan SUV that has a price of $420K, one has to think if equipped with the right interior trim and engine options, there may be a market for a GMC costing $100,000+; but if General Motors decides to allow GMC to go this route, the pickup needs to be bulletproof and cannot be a Sierra AT4.

    Reply
  7. Some people favor reliability, others maximum driving enjoyment. I’ve had a few Japanese autos, including a RAV-4, Lexus GS400, Honda Accord, 2 Mazda 3s, 2 Honda Odysseys, and two Nissan Pathfinders. While most have been dependable (the Odyssey had a sliding entryway and transmission issues), just the Lexus was even remotely “fun” to drive. They are machines, something you purchase and put minimal thought and effort into.

    Reply
  8. while these overpriced tanks list for over 50G many leftovers ger 10G or so off!! where the big money writers + execs “think” average income is 50G + above reality says differently + many like myself will not afford or want a 50G truck that depreciates quickly after purchase!!

    Reply
  9. My ’16 Silverado LT was 35k. Enough said.

    Reply
  10. Rebirth the Cheyenne for Chevrolet.

    Reply
  11. This is such a good article i read this keep it up.

    Reply
  12. I built my 2020 GMC Denali 2500HD truck and was ready to order with Dave Smith Motors. All excited and prepared to pay the $72K I started to look at videos showing the Denali in action. I came across two that currently changed my mind on making the purchase.

    The first was Raiti’s Rides going over the vehicle. Without watching the video again, I came away with remembering the plastic shifter, the unchanged dash with a button without a purpose. For the price, that shifter should be wrapped in leather. He did say it is a great truck and I agree.

    Then there was DURTYMAX JACK’s, GM DROPPED THE BALL ON A LOT OF THIS TRUCK FEATURES. Remembering what I can, this video made me decide to wait, I think, as it is a nice truck.

    He pointed out that the turn signal arrow that was in each mirror for the driver to see is no longer there. The towing lights on the back of the mirrors has 4 different settings and the driver does not know which setting they are in as nothing on the dash informs him of this. The dash does not let you know which gear you are in as well. The automatic “high beam” function does not work if your fog lights are on. The dash is unchanged and plain, however fully functional. He points out that button that has no purpose as well. The 8” screen could be upgraded, RAM’s is larger. He alerts everyone about the multi purpose tailgate and how it can be damaged if you let it down and your tow hitch is still in the receiver. There was a couple other things that I can’t remember. Just remembered, the “HUD” cannot be seen if you are wearing polarized shades. I am always wearing my polarized Oakley’s. Remembering this as well. There is a little storage spot on top of the dash. Why? You can’t use it in the day as what ever you put there is in the sun.

    Overall he is proud to be able to own his 2020 GMC DENALI 2500HD. I would feel the same way to. However, after seeing these imperfections, I am unable to follow thru with this order. I want my brand new GMC DENALI 2500HD to be perfect!

    I once rented a Tahoe that had a dash with a hidden compartment. It would be cool to have that on this truck.

    Reply

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