GMC Mulling Sub-Compact Crossover Or Jeep Rival
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We’ve heard whispers of a sub-compact GMC crossover for years now. In fact, parent automaker General Motors has filed to trademark the “Granite” name for a decade now. The name first appeared on a concept car last decade and was thought to preview a smaller GMC model.
However, it seems there may be a snag in the plans. Automotive News (subscription required) reported Sunday that the brand is deciding between a sub-compact crossover or a tougher SUV model to rival the Jeep brand. It’s also not the first time we’ve heard about a potential Jeep rival from GMC, either.
The report, part of the “Future Product Pipeline” series, claims the Jeep rival would ride on GM’s T1 truck platform and share its bones with the current-generation GMC Sierra. If GMC decides on the sub-compact crossover, expect it to ride on the VSS-F platform that underpins the upcoming 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX.
Although GMC effectively ruled out something from the brand to rival the Wrangler, boss Duncan Aldred believes there’s room for something in that space. That leads us to a report from this June that mentioned a new GMC Jimmy was in the cards. A new Jimmy would reportedly ride on the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon’s platform, per information last month, and rival the forthcoming Ford Bronco more than the Wrangler.
In a perfect world, GMC would likely have both models. The decision is likely a tough one, too. The sub-compact crossover would likely do well and sell in great volumes alongside the Terrain. On the other hand, there’s likely a nice premium to be had for every purported Jimmy SUV GMC would sell.
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Source: Automotive News (subscription required)
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Go with the Jeep rival. Jeep and Ford are set to own this area with their models. GM needs an entry, and GMC is the perfect brand to do it. GMC would really be a nicer, more premium option to a Jeep or Ford, filling in the space below say Land Rover, especially in a Denali trim. The subcompact space is becoming very saturated. Meanwhile, the market for Wranglers is booming, and Jeep is the only one cashing in for now.
The logic would be this for GMC.
Make these more rugged Jeep like or Hummer like models. Most GMC dealers are joined with Buick so they already have a line of CUV models in the showroom.
GM needs to diversify and compliment their line up.
The Wrangler type model is very popular now not just with off road people but many women today are skipping the Mustang Convertible and buying Wranglers.
GM needs to make all the puzzle parts fit to make one clear picture with the line up they offer.
I vote the canyon sized jimmy.
2.7t gasser.
3.0t diesel.
10 speed.
Likely cheaper just to buy the “brand” from FCA…
That will be a given.
But if gmc would offer more, they could ask for more, and get it.
But if gmc offers equal or less, and relies on the, in my opinion, falsehood that gmc is in todays world, a better product than a fca product, I believe it will it to will struggle, just like , in my opinion, the 1500s are today.
The problem is you have to buy all FCA and not just the Jeep line.
All they have is Jeep and Trucks that are of any value.
GM has no need for the trucks nor the Fiat based half of Jeep.
Just Jeep only is not for sale.
I thought Blue Potato was just referring to ” brand ” of FCA , as why not just buy a Jeep.
I would be less expensive.
Not why doesn’t GM buy the Jeep brand from FCA.
But who knows ?
Please, please not another boring CUV. If GM would make a Wrangler competitor, I’d be the first one in line for a purchase. It would make a fabulous and rugged commuter vehicle. Engineer it now!
I agree.
GMC was always a truck brand, the terrain should be as small as they go. Some might even argue that it is too small, and the Acadia was small enough. I vote Colorado sized BOF SUV with the 2.8L I4.
GM needs a Wrangler competitor. Why just let Jeep Monopolize the whole market. Ford figured out a way to bring back the Bronco so zero reason why GM cannot figure this out.
You’ve already forgotten about the Blazer?
I can see plenty of reasons, including that one, that GM cannot figure this out.
I vote for the Jeep rival. They have to make it just as good or better otherwise they are wasting time and money.
Chevy needs a pure offroader with a removable top and midgate (a midsize Avalanche) aimed directly at the Wrangler. They should do it the way they did the twins, Chevy=lifestyle / GMC=premium trim. Make it just big enough to shoehorn the 3.0L LM2 Durmax into it.
What would they call it? NOT BADLANDS, that’s for sure!
I’ve mentioned in the past that they could call it the “Apache ZR2” or “Apache HX”, you know, like, Hummer “HX”.
Do both and one could be a crew the other a standard or extra cab, and again, put half doors in the accessory catalog,
It would be awesome!
I would like to add one more thing, I believe is important in this segment for GM.
Like scott3 said, women are buying this segment of vehicle, and I know that is true.
And Cadillac was trying to market the XT4 to women, according to this site.
Now for some reason GM/Cadillac, thought it was a good idea to add an off road, button, to the XT4.
In my opinion that move is a joke, and just frustrates the , women/Cadillac buyer even more, as if a button will make an XT4 an off road vehicle, and the Cadillac buyer will believe that.
I know , so called, off road, is relative to ones thoughts, but here is our take.
Sure the average buyer of this vehicle will not go off road much, correct ?
However the average Cadillac or even GM C1 platform vehicle has a below average life, relative to a true, so called, off road vehicle, on gravel, or even rough roads.
I know this is not a C1 platform, as we do not own one, ( mother-in-law does ), but my wife’s last thing, on this, in my opinion, junk ATS is grease leaking out of an axle boot. I noticed it while washing, and looks as if a rock or something punctured the boot. So new axle, O well, just one more thing.
Anyway if GM would, or maybe to late already, would have produced an SUV, of this size, they could add the front and rear look, of the XT6, with the 2.7T gasser and truly go after that Range Rover type woman buyer. Because, again in my opinion, all the XT4 is attracting, is the XT5 type owner and few , new, customers.
If there is indication of GM finally stepping out of it’s comfort Zone it started with the TrailBoss/AT4, the new tailgate, then they touched the Corvette and made it something radical.
Here’s to hoping that GM finally flipped that switch to win both their loyal customer base and stock holders.
That would be truly the greatest thing I have heard in 30 years, as far as GM news !
But , in my opinion, if GM wants to hold that, loyal customer, they had better step up the customer service branch as well.
I hate to say this, but…..
A sub-compact CUV would be very easy and inexpensive to add to the GMC lineup. Use and existing platform, spend a bit on restyling, get it to market fast. Guaranteed good volume and healthy margin. Going after Wrangler would need a new platform or an extensive re-work of an existing platform. Expensive and time consuming, likely be 2 years before it got to market. The market for that kind of vehicle is limited and will have 2 competitors, the Wrangler and the new Bronco, before the GMC entry goes on sale. A GMC Wrangler/Bronco competitor would sell for a premium, but probably not in great numbers. Probably profitable, but would it make as much money as a GMC compact SUV? I don’t think so.
That being been said I would still like to see them do a Wrangler competitor!
They should really use the Hummer Brand name and design language for offroad offering. Half ( sorry may 75%) marketing is already done by the action movies. GM really don’t need to spend a lot money for marketing and Those movies have done almost international marketing too. So the brand and design language can be sold anywhere in world without much marketing.
GMC should have a subcompact and Wrangler competitor in it’s lineup. As the companies CUV/SUV line, it’s just obvious that they should have priority when it comes to these types of models.
The subcompact model should on a shortened version on the Terrain/Equinox platform, making it larger than the Trax and Encore. It should also take aim at the Countryman, Evoque, and other premium subcompact models–while having slightly more offroad prowess and rally car like performance. The engines should also be the 2.0T as a base and the 2.7T as an upgrade. Giving GMC a uniqueness to its model would also give buyers another reason to compare the Buick and GMC models since they usually share the same showroom.
The Wrangler/Bronco competitor of course a shortened Canyon/Colorado platform to make it a true off road competitor. It should be purely offroad focused as the toughest SUV on the market.
Ok I can understand the want to create a possible invasion into a market niche. Lets say make it a pure 2 passenger vehicle. Also in lieu of a back seat make it a single platform reachable standing outside of the flat platform. Maybe powered gull wing hatch door on each side glass see thru top powered open and close. With a full lid back powered hatch open and close. That new small Diesel and fills a small and a accepted market niche.
BUT before GMC ventures into this market, how about opening the 2020 Denali 1 ton HD dually order forms. Promised several weeks ago and still GM website opened 1 day and now disappeared. I am now starting to look at other manufacturers, why the hold. I wanted to get financing from my credit union that had special deals till end of September. If I loose that It may mean I’ll go else where!
What is there to mull over?
This should have been done 10 years ago.
Make it rugged, and affordable with many variations to recoup the investment.
And…ADVERTISE IT!
I agree with everything but the ten years ago. IMO ain’t think it should have been done thirty years ago.
Actually, my 10 years ago comment was not justified, considering the government bailout. I change my assessment to 5-7 years ago.
Even then, GM was in cautious mode.
30 years ago may have indeed been a good idea if GMC carried the same weight (brand recognition) it does now in its current state.
30 years ago, GMC was nothing more than a different face, taillights(?) if that, and a GMC badge. I’m not sure they were ready to put equity into competing with Jeep back then. Especially since Jeep was not the force it is today in regards to the niche it now holds.
I know many people are Suzuki haters, but the Samurai has a cult/iconic status since it was no longer sold in the US.
Please bring us the Suzuki Jimny! This is the best engineered small off-roader in the world!
Please make this happen.
Thanks for sharing this is very help full for me.