The idea of a subcompact GMC crossover to slot under the compact GMC Terrain has been in the air for more than a decade. A show car vehicle, called GMC Granite Concept, was displayed at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit but the vehicle never made it to production because engineers could not find a cost-effective way to meet crash test regulations with the rear-hinged doors.
Now, GM Authority rendering artists have produced two images of this potential GMC subcompact crossover, which we’re going to call the GMC Granite. If it ever made it to production, such a vehicle would likely ride on the GM VSS-F platform (or vehicle set) also used for the Buick Encore GX and Chevy Trailblazer. It would be the smallest vehicle sold by the GMC brand.
General Motors had already filed to trademark the name GMC Granite with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) when it showed off the GMC Granite Concept, and has since done so three more times. All but the most recent filing, made on April 11th, 2019, have expired. We believe that this is because GM has not been able to provide the office with a Statement of Use document, without which the filing can not be approved.
| Word Mark | Filing Date | Serial Number | Status | Goods & Services Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Granite | April 11, 2019 | 88381152 | Live | Motor land vehicles, namely, on-road passenger automobiles |
| GMC Granite | May 26, 2015 | 86640666 | Dead | Motor land vehicles, namely, on-road passenger automobiles |
| GMC Granite | November 17, 2010 | 85178926 | Dead | Motor land vehicles, namely, on-road passenger automobiles |
| GMC Granite | November 9, 2009 | 77868149 | Dead | Motor land passenger vehicles, namely automobiles |
2010 GMC Granite Concept
However, the GMC Granite’s time may soon come. Duncan Aldred, Vice President, Global Buick and GMC, was reported to be ‘pushing hard’ for a GMC subcompact crossover back in 2015. The segment was growing strongly back then and has continued to do so, to the point where General Motors is discontinuing sedans in favor of crossovers. However, subsequent information has poured cold water on the idea of a sub-Terrain crossover from GMC.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HONDA HR-V | +34.83% | 26,175 | 19,414 | 10% | 9% |
| CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER | +834,033.00% | 25,024 | 3 | 9% | 0% |
| NISSAN KICKS | +74.82% | 24,421 | 13,969 | 9% | 7% |
| HYUNDAI KONA | +49.00% | 22,610 | 15,174 | 8% | 7% |
| JEEP COMPASS | -33.07% | 19,959 | 29,820 | 7% | 14% |
| BUICK ENCORE GX | +608.77% | 18,435 | 2,601 | 7% | 1% |
| KIA SOUL | +2.86% | 17,191 | 16,713 | 6% | 8% |
| CHEVROLET TRAX | -39.97% | 16,955 | 28,242 | 6% | 13% |
| KIA SELTOS | +232.26% | 16,786 | 5,052 | 6% | 2% |
| JEEP RENEGADE | +12.94% | 15,997 | 14,164 | 6% | 7% |
| MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT | +22.10% | 15,356 | 12,577 | 6% | 6% |
| MAZDA CX-30 | +74.43% | 14,589 | 8,364 | 5% | 4% |
| FORD ECOSPORT | -0.35% | 12,878 | 12,923 | 5% | 6% |
| TOYOTA C-HR | +0.28% | 10,401 | 10,372 | 4% | 5% |
| BUICK ENCORE | -56.25% | 6,229 | 14,238 | 2% | 7% |
| HYUNDAI VENUE | +82.69% | 5,784 | 3,166 | 2% | 1% |
| KIA NIRO | -13.35% | 4,311 | 4,975 | 2% | 2% |
| MAZDA CX-3 | -40.71% | 1,513 | 2,552 | 1% | 1% |
| FIAT 500X | -6.36% | 265 | 283 | 0% | 0% |
| TOTAL | +28.09% | 274,879 | 214,602 |
Nevertheless, the idea appears to have merit. GM is already very well represented in the mainstream subcompact crossover segment in the U.S. In Q1 of 2021, it had three models in the top ten positions – the new Chevy Trailblazer in second (just behind the leading Honda HR-V), the Buick Encore GX in sixth and the Chevy Trax in eighth.
There is clearly a demand for vehicles of this type, and a real-world GMC Granite would not be especially difficult or expensive to create, given that it would use so much existing technology from the Trailblazer and/or Encore GX.
Comments
Thank you for this rendering. It’s always exciting to dream of new vehicles and what they might look like. But to my eyes, this looks like a Trailblazer rebadged and a little hum-drum, as least as shown. The GMC Granite Concept, however, looks unique and still fresh.
“TRAILBLAZER +834,033.00, 25,024”
But, Ja Kia is better….🙂
The reporting of the last quarter sales was a little a bit sketchy imho. I’d like to see what the Trailblazer numbers look like over time. I fully expect them to settle in behind the Kona.
Anyways, what’s the point of making another Korean 1.3t with a creaky slushbox 9spd. It wouldn’t be something I’d be interested in. Bring production to the US and equip it with a refined 4 cylinder turbo and it would very likely be my next gm product, but that won’t happen.
If they did want you want, it would cost thousands more and the sales data would reflect it.
It’s a price I’d be willing to pay. Otherwise I’ll just shop Toyota, Mazda, Volkswagen, and top trim Kia’s. I’m not saying lowercase gm will do it, but why do they need a 3rd vehicle that’s just silly badge engineering? If they make it, atleast make it actually better. That platform is absolutely begging for a decent 4 cylinder turbo. And a luxury/work brand like GMC it would make sense to equip it as such that it could compete in that segment.
I’m not into CUV type vehicles but CX 30 is sweet. I’m shocked Trailblazer does this well, and YES, GMC should make a small CUV.
Encore proves Buick can sell product & that the brand isn’t a lost cause. A butch Granite aimed at Jeep would be a winner.
I test drove the Hyundai Kona and it is by far better than the biuick or the Chevrolet trailblazer.
The Seltos offers an even more refined interior than the Kona imo. They’re better products than than gm offers…. And it’s not even that close.
The rendering looks good, but it can remain just as a rendering in my opinion while gm can invest in further improvements for the Terrain to make it more competitive towards it’s rivals.
GM won’t be investing anymore in the Equinox or the Terrain to make them more competitive. As soon as GM ditched the 2.0T from both and made the 1.5L the only engine, and made the 6-speed auto the only transmission in the Equinox (while keeping the 9-speed auto in the Terrain), they pretty much showed they were not too concerned about improving them. They are going to ride them out for another few years as they currently are and drain every last cent of profit they possibly can out of them. Just like the previous generation of Equinox which ran from 2010-2017 with only minor exterior styling updates in 2016/2017, and the previous gen Terrain which also ran from 2010-2017 with only minor styling changes during the last 2 years (2016/2017).
The 2022 styling “updates” they are making were supposed to have rolled out over a year ago, but were put on hold due to the pandemic. Now production is delayed due to the chip shortage, with GM currently concentrating more on their high profit margin products. GM just doesn’t care enough about the Equinox/Terrain to invest any more R&D and tooling money on them.
Hmmm.
Only bring the Concept Granite to market.
Thats a decent rendering. It should have its own sheetmetal though without sharing any exterior panels with the Trailblazer.
The rendering looks great, but does GM need another Trailblazer? It would hurt GMC’s image of a “truck” brand since this Granite couldn’t tow anything bigger than a kiddy wagon.
The ONLY way I could see this move being justified is if GMC added the Denali suspension system into the Granite.
With a 2.0t this platform would be more than capable of towing a light utility trailer for dump runs. My 6mt 1.4t Sonic hauls less than 2k lbs pretty easy around town. The 1.3t and lightweight 9spd the Trailblazer currently has I wouldn’t trust for a second with any type of strain in addition to the AWD.
True, but they won’t even put a 2.0t in the Terrain (which really should have a V6). The Trailblazer and its Encore GX sibling only gets the 1.3t. It’s a shame.
I agree, it is a shame. The new VSS-F platform would absolutely be my next vehicle if lowercase gm put a decent motor in it… in my test drive the handling and ride were great, but the drivetrain was an obvious let down. Looking more and more like my beloved US made Sonic will be replaced with a Japanese or Korean owned b/c segment vehicle.
As others have told you here time and time again, power is a very low priority for customers in the B crossover segment. The trailblazer has more than enough power for the kind of vehicle that it is. Your “test drive” lasting all of what… 10 minutes?… does not make you an expert on the subject.
Please learn to separate your personal desires from those of a commercially successful product and business.
Lol… Cause the 5 year prospects are so good for lowercase gm in the b/c segment rn? The Bolts don’t sell cause consumer demand isn’t there and the Trailerblazer and GX will lose the market share gm worked to get with the Cruze, Sonic, and Trax. Thanks for your OPINION lowercase gm employee.
As far as being an expert on the subcompact+ segment, I’d say I keep my finger on the pulse pretty well… A more competent drivetrain in the platform could compete for sales with vehicles like the 1.6t Seltos, 2.5t Mazdas, and turbo German cars. Another gm badge engineered 1.3t is only going to compete with itself. It won’t attract buyers looking for actual good cars.
After test driving the 1.3t Trailblazer and 1.6t Seltos, a consumer would have to be an absolute fool imho not to spend an extra $2-3k on the Seltos with it’s better driving experience, more power, similar fuel efficiency, and substantially better warranty.
Don’t mind him, he keeps whining about a vehicle he can’t or won’t buy instead of talking with his wallet..
Why would I buy a new car when my US made pre- Mary Barra 2013 Sonic has positive equity and is still running just fine? The best way to talk with your wallet is to keep putting money in it, not spending frivolously on cheaply made lowercase gm products.
I assure you that when I do buy a new car it won’t be any of the foreign made trash gm currently offers in the subcompact+ segment. If I wanted to buy a import I’d buy it from a foreign brand. The only gm product that I’d currently consider for my next vehicle is the CT4.
Loser alert
Ouch, some random internet person hurt my feelings.
Jack, move on.
Give us something interesting not another Chevy rebadge.
Like most people on here are saying, bring it on only if the styling is base on the Concept Granite and a 4 bangers.
Here we go with antother case of badge engineering GMC might as well be absorbed into Chevrolet really are you kidding me is this the best that can be done? Is there a business case to be made on GMC for even attempting to see this vehicle. The concept was unique but I just think if you want to portray GMC as an upscale Heavy Duty brand this detracts from it. Image a showroom with Yukons, Sierras, it is to bad that there is no vision why cant GM give Jeep a unique product like a modern day truck based GMC Jimmy? It is bad enough that there is the Terrain in the showrooms, I can give a pass on the Acadia but this has to stop and a 3 Cyl engine heck no, this is a pig with lipstick. Make the brands match the identity of the vehicle to the brand. Lack of cometency in the REN Cen for sure. Time to clean house and get the right people to run the show.
“GM give Jeep a unique product like a modern day truck based GMC Jimmy?”
Nobody wants that except “Q45 preppers” that sit in gas lines with the other “city folk” that believe in “them thier Green BLM deals”
The concepts time has come and gone. There is no reason to rehash a failed 11 year old concept.
But GMC has tried to put space between the GMC and Chevy truck lines so please continue it here.
Pontiac failed as GM gutted what Pontiac was and left it just a Chevy clone with minor styling changes. Please learn from your history.
You have a unique place here to do things that Chevy can not do and bring models that while sharing a platform could offer some distinctive abilities and looks.
GMC could be the division that could take on Jeep and not only take them but be better at it. Jeep is saddled with their expected styling that often leases to wind noise, stone chips and general uncomfortable vehicle. GM could fix all this and offer just as able package.
I think it is a great idea. Keep the suicide doors. Seriously.
Supposedly, the granite from 2010 was tabled because the engineers couldn’t design the doors to meet the latest crash test standards, too bad.
It has the fugly fascia of the Terrain… IMO, file this concept in file 13. Improve the Terrain before they add another mediocre CUV in a crowded market. GM had the Cruze and failed it with a weak motor. Could have use that platform as the model for CUV with a 2.0t.
JMO…
The profile looks like an extended Chevy Sonic. Make it a Hot Hatch which GM is sorely missing. How about a Cadillac XT3 BMW X2 killer.
I have given up on a GMC subcompact. I love the concept, it’s now going on 12 years. How many times have we’ve down this road – if i had a quarter every time this has been reported . . . . Something to add in here is a different engine, the current 1.2 and 1.3 in the TB and GX are under-powered.
like vastly underpowered and something with the underpowered Shanghai motor and 9spd transmission combo just doesn’t feel right. The vehicle just is not a pleasurable experience to operate.
Agreed, I’m trying g to figure out exactly what message is GMC actually sending with a vehicle that would be added to their lineup and only be equipped with a 1.2 or 1.3 Liter engine, to what lengths would gm go through to put an AT4 or a Denali badge on the sheet metal with such poor engine choices?, it’s Off Road capabilities based on it’s size would have to match or surpass the Subaru WRX’s Off Road Package or maybe even the Ford Bronco Sport. As much as I love GMC, and as a customer that will be looking for a new vehicle within the next few years, this one would surely get passed up on if it were to exist.
A 2.0t equipped Vss-f is something that would Totally compete with the uptrim bronco sport. I think that it would actually perform better on the road than the bronco sport. The bronco sport might have a slight edge it out on the trails, but honestly both these vehicles would be more at home on pavement.
As a two door it might give mini cooper a run for customers because that’s what it resembles.
Nah, mini coopers are engaging and fun to drive. The 1.3t Shanghai motor is a genuine displeasure to operate.
hurry to catch the competition, Barra must be back from a long sleep. Head of GM, lol.
I test drove the Hyundai Kona and it is by far better than the biuick or the Chevrolet trailblazer.
True, but what killed the Kona was the CVT overheating once on gravel or a little more rougher terrain. Testing by truck magazine companies, captured the overheating. Nothing kills more than heat. The Kona marketing included off road so when tested…failed.
Per the rags…
The uptrim Kona and Seltos have a DCT not a CVT and “per the rags” is widely considered a much better vehicle than the Trailblazer.
I used to own a Pontiac Vibe, which I loved. The final model still looks good and if they brought it back as a sport ute, I’d buy it. It got lost in the shuffle with the GM bankruptcy and was built at the joint Toyota-GM plant in Fremont California. When GM emerged from bankruptcy, they were apparently interested in restarting it under another badge but Toyota told them to smoke rope. That plant now builds Teslas, after a brief stint doing RAV-4s I believe. Pity, it was an awesome and bulletproof little platform.
Carl, I still have my Pontiac Vibe, I have a black 2007 and the car runs as good as the moment I bought it, The car has versatility, some great features,I love how you can open the back window, or fold down the seats and have cargo space to spare. It is no performace car in any shape or form and that is fine. I use it as a daily drive to work and I even use it for running errands. That 1.8 from Toyota is a great bullet proof engine, and it is great on gas. My only repairs have been a starting motor, an electic harness, brakes, and of course the usual battery. I love having the Pontiac design cues with the Toyota mechanicals.
Nice – it is truly an awesome ride
Carl, it truly is I also forgot the convenience of the 115 volt adapter, it is nice to be able to have that convenience. I wash mine twice a week and people come up and ask me about what kind of car it is as many have forgotten about Pontiac, and many dont know that this has Toyota mecahnicals. I Also own a 2001 Silverado 1500, 293,000 miles still running strong, and a 2010 Cadillac CTS wagon, great car as well but I find myself using the Vibe to haul stuff when you fold that back down there is alot of cargo area.