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GM Capture Test Fleet: What It Is And What It’s Used For

GM Authority is proud to stand as the number one source of General Motors spy shots in the world. Most of these photos are of prototypes that are in various stages of development, and we sometimes find ourselves using the term “GM Capture Test Fleet,” which in turn raises questions about what that is. So we thought we’d dedicate an article to clear up exactly what the GM Capture Test Fleet is.

Capture Test Fleet (CTF) vehicles are an integral part of GM’s vehicle development process. As the development of a particular vehicle program (model) culminates and a start of regular production (SORP) date is set, GM orders the plant to produce CTF units. These are pre-production cars that will be driven by employees for the purpose of evaluation prior to that particular vehicle’s SORP.

Front-three-quarter photo of 2026 Cadillac Vistiq prototype, a vehicle GM will produce soon.

2026 Cadillac Vistiq Prototype

The idea behind this approach is that CTF vehicles can provide the product team with last-minute feedback in order to catch and fix any issues before full-scale production commences. CTF examples are usually driven for roughly six months or 6,000 miles, although this can vary depending on the time table and scope of any given vehicle program.

Contrary to popular belief, these vehicles are not crushed when The General is finished with them. Instead, these models are typically sold to GM dealerships as used cars. In fact, aside from their VIN and RPO codes – which may change prior to SORP – these units are identical to retail vehicles.

2024 Chevy Traverse RS Prototype

2024 Chevy Traverse RS Prototype

As an example, take this 2024 Chevy Traverse RS that GM Authority recently spied. Although production of the next-gen Traverse at the GM Lansing Delta Township plant in Michigan has finally gotten underway after months of delays, no units were being sent to dealers at the time that we captured this particular unit. However, testing by GM employees continues, and GM Authority spies were able to capture this production-spec unit in great detail.

Of course, this particular example will eventually be sold as a used vehicle once deliveries of the 2024 Chevy Traverse get underway.

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As a typical Florida Man, Trey is a certified GM nutjob who's obsessed with anything and everything Corvette-related.

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Comments

  1. So what happened with the final testing with the Lyriq and Blazer EV?

    Both had glaring software issues, some which immobilized the vehicles within the first 100 miles and other display and infotainment system issues that were impossible to miss.

    Reply
  2. How does one find out which dealerships get these vehicles when they are put up for sale? I would seriously consider a Suburban or Yukon XL if I could find one

    Reply
  3. If I were GM management, I would have employees continue to drive the vehicles for more than 6 months or 6000 miles. The employees should drive them for a year or two and any software updates would go to those test fleets first before they are rolled out to the general public.

    Reply
    1. Employees do drive the vehicles past that time frame, but not as part of the CTF program… so any feedback is essentially optional, not mandatory. Not saying it can’t find its way back to the vehicle team, but by that point, most members of the vehicle team have often moved on to the next project.

      Reply
  4. As a retired GM worker how do I get a list of ctf cars for sale?

    i

    Reply

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