The 3.0L LM2 turbodiesel engine available in the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is proving to be a fairly popular option among buyers of the full-size pickup, with roughly 10 percent of customers forking out the extra cash for the inline-six oil burner.
Speaking to Automotive News, GMC marketing vice president Phil Brook said the automaker is happy with the 10 percent take-rate for the diesel engine in the GMC Sierra 1500, but is also hoping that increased awareness can make it even more popular. Ideally, Brook explained, the take-rate on the 3.0L diesel in the premium full-size pickup would be around 20 percent.
“We have to get a bit more awareness out there for how good our diesel is, Brook told AN, also adding that the brand is “confident and excited,” about the engine and sees the 20 percent take-rate as “very doable.”
The diesel engine is more popular in certain 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 trim levels. In the off-road-focused Sierra AT4 and luxury-minded Sierra Denali, for example, the take-rate for the 3.0L diesel is as high as 15 percent, Brook told AN.
These figures come from a survey GMC conducted back in March to learn more about the initial buyers of the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 diesel. The survey also found that roughly two-thirds of GMC Sierra 1500 diesel buyers were new to diesel engines but had previously owned a pickup truck of some sort. The engine is helping attract new consumers to the brand, as well, with more than half of the buyers surveyed saying they have never owned a GMC product before in their life.
Furthermore, Brook said the refined 3.0L LM2 engine is helping to break the stereotype of diesel truck engines being loud and clunky, in turn attracting buyers that may have never considered buying a diesel truck before.
More than half of the owners who participated in the survey say they brag to friends about how quiet the 3.0L LM2 engine is and 96 percent said they were happy with the engine’s overall sound quality.
“The way people look at these has really changed,” Brook explained.
The 3.0L LM2 engine, unofficially known as the “baby Duramax”, is rated at 277 horsepower and 460-pound-feet of torque in the GMC Sierra. Paired with the automaker’s 10-speed automatic transmission, the 3.0L diesel will get 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway in the 2020 Sierra for a combined rating of 26 mpg. The engine is also offered in the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado, where it gets slightly better fuel economy (23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, 27 mpg combined) due to the added weight from the extra content in the GMC Sierra.
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Comments
Make it $500 less than the currently same priced 6.2 engine option, and make it available on lowest ‘Sierra’ trim. Easy peasy.
That would help, as would increasing the tow ratings so that it is at least comparative to the other two half ton diesel rigs from Ram and Ford. It specs well until you get to the tow rating.
I always find these “It should be this price” comments incredibly ridiculous. A new engine requires design, testing, manufacturing, advertising, patenting, etc. There are a huge number of variables involved in bringing a product to market. Also, diesel engines are far more robust than a gas engine due to the compression and that also contributes to the cost difference. Let’s stay in reality and keep the naive “I think the price should be this…” out of the comments.
“Incredibly ridiculous” is itself incredibly ridiculous. Pricing is a really tough business decision. If you price a product too high so as to hypothetically have the first small number of buyers pay for ALL of the development you may simply never achieve any reasonable market penetration. If, as a businessman, you had convinced yourself via a business plan that the development would eventually lead to profit, you might need to be patient and strategic in your thinking and realize that profit after a few years and significant market penetration; if you would be a short-sighted bean-counter or profit-addicted sociopathic CEO or CFO, you might possibly convince yourself to jack up the price high, way high. The original point was a good one – the differential price on the Duramax engines is too high for truly significant market penetration. GM should calculate their manufacturing and other running costs on the Duramax, add a modest profit margin on top of that, and allow the market to respond. I bet it would sell more than 20% and more importantly would drive up market share for GMC/Chevrolet over Ford/Chrysler/etc.
Price is a huge driving factor, so let’s not leave it out of the comments. Let’s not sensor the consumer. The sale price and ROI schedule is one of the initial conversations before a program gets the green light.
Engine option price being the same as a 6.2 with a lot less spunk, diesel is typically as expensive as 91 octane (recommended fuel for the 6.2, but can run 87) in much of the US, and while you do get much better efficiency, gas is cheap right now and most people don’t care.
How about you actually market it!
Just like everything GM does good, blackwing etc nobody knows it exists except enthusiasts like us! Frustrating!
Market it! I’ve spoken to people who didn’t even know GM made a 1500 Diesel!
Make it optional in the lowest trim! Even if it cost $5000 IK people that would pay for it! Mainly fleets, ya know how much time it would save not filling up twice a week?! and how much better the MPG would be loaded down(compared to the 4.3).
Get dealerships to stock in in configurations other than “Denali, CC Short bed”!!
Improve the HP output and the towing capacity to make it a legitimate option to pull something of significant weight. 30 foot RV or Two Horse Trailer come to mind. The current tow rating is extremely low. The Ford 6 cylinder gas engine has a higher tow capacity. Embarrassing to have to say that as a GM guy.
470 footpounds ain’t enough for you? Come on and get serious. I own one and couldn’t be happier with its abilities.
I test-drove one, didn’t feel particularly different than the 5.3. It cost more and couldn’t tow as much as the 5.3. The increase in mpg wasn’t enough to recoup the increase in fuel price when the premium for the engine is included. It just didn’t make sense, so I got the 5.3.
Why are you solely looking at MPG? That’s just one difference between the gas versus diesel version of the truck. The other important differences include the diesel torque when towing, the exhaust break that comes with the diesel engine. the better fuel mileage when towing using a diesel versus gas and the better fuel mileage with the diesel versus gas when not towing, the high resale value for diesel engines, better engine longevity with the diesel engine, etc.
All valid points; if looking at the 6.6 HD, they hold true. With the 3.0, it isn’t rated for towing as much as the 5.3. (And, I’m not towing anything that would even be close to needing an HD, or a diesel, I’m not regularly towing anything at all… I might occasionally tow a trailer, but nothing heavy, and not even monthly.) A diesel is overkill for my needs.
I wanted to love the 3.0, but I don’t know that it is all that.
And truth be told, I really don’t like the smell of diesel fumes either.
What fumes? There are ZERO exhaust fumes from a modern diesel in a consumer truck
I test drove the 3.0, and I didn’t like the exhaust smell. It still smells like a diesel. I was hopeful it’d have been okay, but I wasn’t keen on it.
I have to ask. I own one and work on diesels. You smelled diesel inside the cab of the truck?? I haven’t smelled anything from the exhaust. But will say all the trucks gas or diesel do have a chemical smell/taste when you sit in them from the plastics used in the interior. Goes away with use.
I previously had a Sierra (a 5.3 double-cab), had decided to return to one. I went to the dealership specifically to drive a series of 4×4 crew-cabs back-to-back: a 5.3, a 3.0, a 6.2, and also drove an HD with the 6.6 (gas not diesel). I left out of the dealership, ran down the highway a couple of miles, turned around and came back with each of them.
Driving the 3.0, as I was returning to the dealership, pulling into the center-lane awaiting oncoming traffic to pass, I could smell the diesel exhaust. Didn’t notice it on startup or while driving down the highway, but while sitting still awaiting for a break in the traffic, there it was. They all had the ‘new car’ smell, I understand what you mean; this was a distinctly different aroma than any of the gas engines had. I mean, I do know what diesel smells like, I had a job driving around a Chevy Luv truck long ago, I work in mining, I’m used to diesel equipment. I did not expect to smell the exhaust as much with a new truck as I did at that moment. It caught me by surprise that I was noticing it that much.
Years ago when questions were repeatedly asked about new car smells, it was finally answered. Every piece of hot injection molded plastic continues to cure in the form of outgassing as various chemicals evaporate and give off that new car smell. If driving with windows open all the time, curing/outgassing proceeds quicker. I had a two door sports car with ac and used ac in hot summer weather, rarely cracked open windows except in slow moving traffic – my car still smelled new ten years later.
I own the Silverado with the 3.0 Duramax and absolutely love it! The tow capacity is not an issue, as I would never attempt to tow anything over 8k pounds with a half ton vehicle, regardless of stated capacity – this comes from experience. The suspension and handling are the issue. Anyone needing to tow 10k pounds should be buying a 2500. GM can easily boost tow ratings by simply offering higher rear end gearing.
Agreed: you want to have a buffer, and not tow at the limit. My Sierra is rated for 9800lbs, so not going over 7500lbs sounds about right. I don’t have anything to tow close to that. If I did need to tow 10k, I agree, would have gone w/ a 2500. If I towed weekly, would have gone w/ a 2500. But a 5k trailer, w/ 1k of stuff, maybe once every few months… a 1500 can handle that.
The tow rating on the GMC is a joke. I was forced to buy Chevy HC which has the max towing package. I sold my 2010 Denali Sierra for a 2019 High Country. I wanted to stay in the GMC family but they didn’t have the towing I needed (didn’t want a 2500).
GMC has the max trailering package too…..Just like Chevy.
How about quit the 4.3 and 5.3 afm, then contractors will consider the diesel when all they see they have to pick from is an I4 or the 5.3 dfm.
The way GM is being run now I would be surprised if the company last 10 more years.
I made a foolish decision and purchased a dodge 3.0 diesel engine that blew up, but besides that, I would never purchase a small engine for a heavy truck. Its all a lie; the fuel economy is not their because the engine has to work so much harder to go uphill and at her speeds. Besides that…diesel gas prices fluctuate at a higher price than gas. This is all a gimmick and should be placed in a smaller SUV and or car to see the benefits. Never again
I’m wondering if the 3.0L Duramax would hypothetically fit in a Colorado. I assume yes. I considered the 2.8L Duramax in 2018 but opted for the 3.6L V6 instead (for my crew cab / long bed model). I’m happy with it, but I would definitely consider buying a future new Colorado with the 3.0L Duramax, if that were possible. I would love to see an “HD” version with some factory strengthening of the suspension to maximize towing / hauling with the Colorado. I understand GM would want me to go for a “full size” pickup, but I prefer the narrower size.
I have the 2020 GMC Sierra AT4 with the Durmax 3.0 motors and I am having a major def consumption problem while towing my 7000lbs Travel Trailer. I have to fill the def each time I fill up for diesel. I when through 15 gallons of def on my last 2500 mile trip. I took it to my local dealer and they said their is nothing work with my truck officially. The service manager did tell me I’m not the only one have this problem.
Robert Oehmke, I also own a 2020 GMC Sierra AT4 3.0l Durmax and experiencing the same thing. Consuming alot of def while pulling my travel trailer (4700 lbs) to the mountains. We went through a tank of def in 300 miles. I notified the dealership and they submitted a ticket for me (6/25/2020). One thing to consider…, back in 6/4/20 I pulled my travel trailer and had no issues of major def consumption. 6/10/20 the dealership had a recall on the DEF system. They told me GM had to calibrate. After the recall…, we took another trip to the mountains pulling the travel trailer. That is when we went through a tank of DEF in 300 miles.
I just got back from a 4700 mile trip pulling my RV and went through 32 1/2 gallons of def. Currently my truck is at the dealership trying to figure out what is wrong. At lease this time it through a check engine light.
Wow, keep me posted on what they dealership finds out. Just to put it Into perspective for other readers… for my Engine break in period I went 5k before pulling any of my equipment trailers and followed the manufacture break in requirements. During that time I ONLY used one tank of def for 5k miles.
Robert Oehmke, what did the dealership diagnostic say? Any report out why using so much def while pulling a TT?
I have the Chevy version and love it. No diesel smell at all. Wondering if it was going thru a regin at the time. If so there could be a smell. Mine constantly gets well over 25 mpg with city and highway driving. Very happy with it.
I’m guessing some diesel smell remains since mandatory diesel emissions controls incorporated scr, dpf and def to collect, burn and scrub diesel exhaust. If I’m not mistaken, the ‘new’ diesel exhaust smells completely different from oil burners in the past when diesel exhaust smelled more fragrant. NYC MTA buses emit zero smoke and run tailpipes up to the roof. They smell funny, no longer diesel smelling.
I have a 3 litre diesel crew cab and a 6.6 foot box
It gives me 9 litres per/100 km, I love it, my 5.3 gave me 12.5 lt/ 100 km
Nice to have a truck I can afford to drive and have a lot more torque than the lazy 5.3 litres
There were no trucks available where I live so I travels 6000 km to get it and it was worth the trip
Dawson Creek British Columbia to Halifax Nova Scotia ,Thank you Gmc for a great truck
gm should offer the 3.0 in the w/t version, flood the market as dodge did with the cummins back in the day. Make a believer out of it and let it eat. The more engines you have out in the public, fleets, etc, the more data you end up having and can make corrections in weak areas. Flood, flood, flood the market, reap the benefits 3 to 5 yrs later, as long as its up to par, (vw lol) a diesel thats more powerful than the current gas offerings but isnt in the hp tq race on the upper level as the 6.6, 6.7 engines are will sell if its durable and shows the benefits of the mpg. Offering it in only the upper echelons of trims levels is asinine imho.
Bravo, that is what I was trying to say in my earlier comment as well. If some short-term profiteers within GM overcharge for the engine, it will never gain enough market share. Absolutely it should be offered across the spectrum of trim levels for anyone that wants to pay a … modest … upcharge. Enough to cover manufacturing etc. costs plus some … modest … margin for GM. Market share!
Personally, I’d love to see this engine offered on the Colorado (that’s what I drive) in combination with some somewhat beefed up suspension etc. for better towing / hauling capability. GM will probably never do this because they will see it cannibalizing their cash cow of full size pickups. I’m assuming it would fit.
Test drove a 2020 Silverado 4×4 few months ago. Was impressed with the torque the engine has. Even barked the tires. Was wanting one in 2019 but that didn’t happen. Settled for a crew cab 5.3 Silverado.
Sorry, wouldn’t touch a new diesel. We have them at work, nothing but a pain in the ass. Not the engine, the emissions systems. DPF, DEF, regen mode, etc. As our fleet has aged, the cost of maintenance has increased drastically. Gassers get worse mpgs, but they don’t break near as often. I loved my diesels up until the mid 2000’s. But never again.
Issue is the upfront cost, added maintenance and complexity. Often if u do the fuel saving calculation (I did this last year when buying my ZR2) the breakeven point where the fuel savings offset the upfront cost was around 180000km. That did not include the cost of DEF fluid or the required additional maintenance such as fuel filters. I understand that is over a $200 job at a gm dealer requires every 50000km. Once the vehicle is out of warranty I would be worried as the diesels are far more complex. Everything from the fuel system to exhaust system has a million more parts and they are not cheap.
At that rate it seems gas is the way to go.
Purchased a 3.0 in April 2020, currently have 28,000km in Mid November. Average 10.4l/100km on mostly City driving. HWY, it is more like 9.0L/100km, usually driving 110/120km/h.
My hemi ram cost me $20.00/100km this costs me around $10.00/100km, taking into account better mileage and better fuel prices
In Canada.
So far, it’s doing exactly what I purchased it to do. Less time at the pump, less dollars out.
Been a v8 guy my whole life and I can say I would never go back. Diesel is way way way more impressive in all situations!!!! Don’t listen to the guys saying it’s not worth the maintenance blah blah. It literally holds the same amount of oil as a 5.3 and def fluid is cheap. Didn’t have to add any until almost 10k. It only holds 5 gallons at 22$ for 10k miles. Come on