GMC (automobile)

GMC, formerly the General Motors Truck Company, or the

GMC Truck & Coach Division (of General Motors
GMC Division of General
Corporation), is a division of the American automobile Motors LLC
manufacturer General Motors (GM) that primarily focuses on
trucks and utility vehicles. GMC currently makes SUVs, pickup
trucks, vans, and light-duty trucks, catered to a premium-based The GMC logo used since 1966
market. In the past, GMC also produced fire trucks, ambulances,
Type Division
heavy-duty trucks, military vehicles, motorhomes, transit buses,
LLC
and medium duty trucks.
Industry Automotive
While many GMC and Chevrolet trucks are mechanically similar, Predecessors Grabowsky Motor
GMC is positioned as a premium offering to the mainstream Company
Chevrolet brand, with luxury vehicles such as the Denali series Rapid Motor
and the electric, off-road Hummer EV series. In North America, Vehicle Company
GMC vehicles are almost always sold alongside Buick vehicles at Reliance Motor
joint dealerships, allowing the same dealer to market both upscale Car Company
cars and trucks.
Founded 1900[1]
Founder Max and Morris
Grabowsky
Contents Headquarters Detroit, Michigan,
History United States

Platform sharing with Chevrolet Area served North America and

Middle East
GMC models (except Iran and
Light-duty trucks Syria)
Medium-duty trucks
Products Automobiles
Heavy-duty trucks Commercial
Buses vehicles
Vans Trucks
SUVs Brands Denali
Motorhomes General Motors
Parent
Military vehicles
Website gmc.com (https://w
Sedans
ww.gmc.com/)
See also
References
External links

History
GMC was founded in 1900 as Grabowsky Motor Company[2] by
brothers Max (1874-1946) and Morris Grabowsky,[3] in Detroit,
and renamed Rapid Motor Vehicle Company in 1902 when the
brothers moved operations to Pontiac, Michigan. In 1909 William
C. Durant gained control of Rapid Motor Vehicle Company and
made it a subsidiary of his General Motors Company. In 1908
Durant gained control of Reliance Motor Car Company, another
early commercial vehicle manufacturer. In 1911 General Motors
formed the General Motors Truck Company and folded Rapid and
Reliance into it. In 1912 the Rapid and Reliance names were
dropped in favor of “GMC.” All General Motors truck production
was consolidated at the former Rapid Motor Plant 1 in Pontiac,
Michigan.[4]

GMC maintained three manufacturing locations in Pontiac,

Michigan, Oakland, California, and St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1916, a GMC Truck crossed the country from Seattle to New 1920 GMC Advertisement
York City in thirty days, and in 1926, a 2-ton GMC truck was
driven from New York to San Francisco in five days and 30
minutes. During the First World War, the company provided the Model 16 3/4-ton truck,[5] and modified its
production to provide 1-ton troop carriers and aviation support vehicles, and by 1918, more than 90 percent
of GMC truck production was for military use. GMTC provided a total of 8512 trucks to the U.S.
government during the war years and earned a Distinguished Service Award.[6] During the Second World
War, GMC Truck produced 600,000 trucks for use by the United States Armed Forces.

In 1923, GMC trucks were exported to Japan to help recovery and reconstruction as a result of the Great
Kantō earthquake, and the company continued to provide vehicles as the transportation infrastructure was
rebuilt. Before the earthquake struck, most of Japan's transportation of commerce and people was by
wooden carts and government owned railroads, which were severely damaged when the train tracks were
twisted beyond use. Autonomous trucks were much more effective at traveling to heavily damaged areas.[7]

In 1925, GM purchased a controlling interest in Yellow Coach, a

bus and taxicab manufacturer based in Chicago, Illinois which was
founded by John D. Hertz. The company was renamed Yellow
Truck & Coach Manufacturing Company (YT&CMC), an
affiliated subsidiary of General Motors. All manufacturing
operations of General Motors Truck Company were placed under
YT&CMC. In 1928 Plant 2 opened and all headquarters staff
moved to the administration building at 660 South Boulevard E in
Pontiac, MI. In 1943, GM purchased the remaining interest in
YT&CMC and renamed it GMC Truck and Coach Division.[8] 1925 GMC Model K52

In 1981, GMC Truck & Coach Division became part of GM

Worldwide Truck & Bus Group.
Bus production ended in May
1987 and the division name was changed from GMC Truck & Coach to GMC Truck Division. The
Canadian plant (in London, Ontario) produced buses from 1962 until July 1987. GM withdrew from the
bus and coach market because of increased competition in the late 1970s and 1980s. Rights to the RTS
model were sold to Transportation Manufacturing Corporation, while Motor Coach Industries of Canada
purchased the Classic design.[9] In 1998, GMC's official branding on vehicles was shortened from "GMC
Truck" to simply "GMC".
In 1996, GM merged GMC Truck Division with the Pontiac Motor Division in order to "give the combined
division a brand image projecting physical power and outdoor activity".[10] This coincided with many
GMC dealerships merging with Pontiac dealerships, allowing a single dealer to offer both trucks and entry-
to-mid-level cars, using a similar approach already in use by Chevrolet.

In 2002, GMC celebrated its 100 anniversary and released a book entitled GMC: The First 100 Years, a
complete history of the company.

In 2007, GMC introduced the Acadia, a crossover SUV, which was the division's second unibody vehicle
(after the Vandura) whose predecessor, the GMT-360 based Envoy, was discontinued with the closure of
GM's Moraine, Ohio plant on December 23, 2008.

In 2009, GMC ended production of medium-duty commercial trucks after over 100 years.[11] They became
exclusive to Chevrolet with the launch of the 4500HD/5500HD Silverado in 2018.[12] Also in 2009, GMC
introduced the Terrain, a mid-size crossover SUV based on the GM Theta platform shared with the
Chevrolet Equinox. It replaced the Pontiac Torrent after the brand's demise.

In 2020, General Motors announced the return of the Hummer nameplate, this time as a sub-brand of GMC
instead of a stand-alone division.[13] The Hummer lineup includes two models, an electric pickup truck and
SUV, to be sold as the "GMC Hummer EV". According to GM, the Edition 1 production electric pickup
truck will feature 1,000 horsepower, hit 60 mph in 3 seconds and is scheduled to launch in late 2021. The
new Hummer EV was revealed on October 20, 2020.

Platform sharing with Chevrolet

Beginning in 1920, GMC and Chevrolet trucks became largely similar, built as variants of the same
platform, sharing much the same body sheetwork, except for nameplates and grilles – though their
differences, especially engines, have varied over the years. GMC advertising marketed its trucks to
commercial buyers and businesses, whereas Chevrolet's advertising was directed towards private owners.
Beginning in 1928, GMCs used Pontiac's 186 cu in six-cylinder engines in their lighter trucks.[14] Medium-
duty trucks relied on Oldsmobile straight-6 engines, while the heaviest trucks used GMC's own "Standard
Big Brute" engine.[14] From 1939 to 1974 GMC had its own line of six-cylinder engines, first the inline
sixes known as "Jimmy's" from 1939 to 1959, and then their own V6 from 1960 until 1974, of which a V8
and a V12 version also existed. Additionally, from 1955 through 1959, the less than 2-ton, domestic GMC
gasoline trucks were equipped with Pontiac V8s, and Oldsmobile V8s—whereas the Canadian models
used Chevrolet engines. GMC dealerships were partnered with Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick dealerships.

Between 1962 and 1972, most GMC vehicles were equipped with quad-headlights, while their Chevrolet
clones were equipped with dual-headlights. The platform has been the most profitable for General Motors,
as it was shared with the Chevrolet Blazer/GMC Jimmy, the Chevrolet Suburban and the Chevrolet
Tahoe/GMC Denali. In 1998 the platform was introduced as the Cadillac Escalade.

In 1971, GMC marketed their version of the Chevrolet El Camino, which was based on the Chevrolet
Chevelle. Called Sprint, it was virtually identical to the El Camino, and a sport version, the SP, was
equivalent to the El Camino SS. It was renamed Caballero in 1978, and remained produced alongside the
El Camino until its demise in 1987.

In 1973, with GM's introduction of the new "rounded line" series trucks, GMC and Chevrolet trucks
became even more similar, ending production of GMC's quad-headlight models, and setting the standard
for the Chevrolet/GMC line of trucks for over thirty years.
 Chevrolet / GMC rebranded models
As of 2020, GMC's vehicles are marketed as more
premium, luxury vehicles positioned above similar
vehicles from the more mainstream Chevrolet
division. Chevrolet vehicles are priced lower than a
comparable GMC, but GMC vehicles have features
not found in a comparable Chevrolet.[15]

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2016 GMC Sierra In North America, Chevrolet offers a full lineup of
cars, crossover vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and
pickup trucks. GMC, however, does not offer any
car models, so typically they are sold along Buick
(or sometimes Cadillac) vehicles at joint dealerships,
allowing the same dealer to sell a full lineup of
upscale vehicles, including both cars and trucks.
2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2005 GMC Sierra Crew However, standalone GMC dealerships do exist,
Crew Cab Cab primarily for dealers who have a focus on selling to
the commercial and fleet vehicle markets.

1997-2000 Chevrolet C3500 1997 GMC Sierra SLE

Silverado Extended Cab Crew Cab

1976 Chevrolet K20 1979 GMC K15 Sierra

Grande

1968 Chevrolet C10 1968 GMC K2500 Super

Custom

1966 Chevrolet C10 1966 GMC C-series pickup

Pick-Up
1955 Chevrolet Cameo 1955 GMC Suburban
Carrier

1946 Chevrolet Pickup 1941 GMC Model

9314

1920 Chevrolet tow truck 1919 GMC Tanker

GMC models

Light-duty trucks
Image Model Introduced Discontinued Notes

T and F Similar to the Chevrolet G/S and F/T

1937 1938
series series

AC and AF
1939 1940 AF series is cabover design
series

C and E Little different from the Chevrolet AK

1941 1947
series[16] Series trucks

New Design Little different from the Chevrolet

1947 1955
series Advance-Design trucks

Blue Chip Pontiac Powered, similar to the Chevrolet

1955 1959
series Task-Force trucks

half–, three-quarter– and one-ton trucks,

C and K
1960 1998 with Sierra, Sierra Grande,
Series
High Sierra, and Sierra Classic trim lines

Coupe utility – GMC version of the 1971

Sprint 1971 1977
to 1977 Chevrolet El Camino

Coupe utility – GMC version of the 1978

Caballero 1978 1987
to 1987 Chevrolet El Camino

S-15 1982 1990 Became the Sonoma in 1991

Sonoma 1991 2004 Formerly the S-15 1982–1990

Syclone 1991 1991 High performance version of the Sonoma

 GMC version of Chevrolet C/K (1988–99)
Chevrolet Silverado
Sierra 1988 current
(1999-present) medium- and heavy-duty
pickup

GMC version of Chevrolet Colorado

Canyon 2004 current
midsize pickup

Hummer EV General Motors' first all-electric off-road

2022 MY current
SUT pickup

Medium-duty trucks
 Image Model Introduced Discontinued Notes
Varies, first letter denotes
production year:
A=1939-1940, C=1941-
1945, E=1946,
F=1947-1950, Z=1954,
Line sold to Navistar,
Y=1955, X=1956,
1939 1959 now marketed under the
T=1957, S=1958-1959,
WorkHorse brand.
N=1960;
Second letter denotes cab
style:
C=cab behind engine,
F=cab over engine

L-Series 1960 c.1984 Steel Tilt Cab

TopKick 1980 1996

C-Series 1960 2009

Forward 1980s 2010 rebadged Isuzu Elf

W-Series 1984 2010 Rebadged Isuzu Elf

T-Series 1994 2010 Rebadged Isuzu Giga

Model used for Ironhide in

TopKick 2003 2009 the Transformers film
series

Heavy-duty trucks
 Image Model Introduced Discontinued Notes

DLR/F/“Crackerbox” 1959 1968 Aluminium Tilt Cab

B-Model 1960 1966

7500 1963 1978

9500 1966 1978

Astro 95 1968 1988

General 1977 1988

Brigadier 1978 1988

Buses
 Image Model Introduced Discontinued Notes

P-series[17] 1940s[18] 1980 "Parlor" (highway) coaches

"Old Look" 1940[18] 1969 transit

"New Look" 1959 1986 transit

RTS 1977 1987 transit

Classic 1982 1987 transit

B-series 1966 2003 school bus

S-series 1986 1989 school bus (forward control)

Vans
 Image Model Introduced Discontinued Notes

Handi-Van 1964 1970

Handi-Bus 1964 1970

Rally 1970 1996 GMC version of the Chevrolet Sportvan

Vandura 1970 1996 GMC version of the Chevrolet Chevy Van

Safari 1985 2005 GMC version of the Chevrolet Astro

Savana 1996 current GMC version of the Chevrolet Express

SUVs
Image Model Introduced Discontinued Notes

Rebranded as Yukon XL, it was sold in

Suburban 1937 2000 middle east with Suburban nameplate beside
the Yukon XL, until 2007

Jimmy 1969 1995 GMC version of the Chevrolet Blazer

S-15
1983 2005 GMC version of the Chevrolet Blazer
Jimmy

Canada only, GMC version of the Geo

Tracker 1989 1991
Tracker

Typhoon 1992 1993 High performance version of the S-15 Jimmy

GMC version of the Chevrolet K5 Blazer

Yukon 1992 current (1992-1995)
and Chevrolet Tahoe (1995–present)

Envoy 1998 2009 GMC version of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Yukon GMC version of Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and

2009 2013
Hybrid Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Yukon
2001 current Formerly the Suburban
XL

GMC version of the Chevrolet Traverse;

Acadia 2007 current became a mid-size crossover SUV
commencing with the 2017 model year

Terrain 2010 current GMC version of the Chevrolet Equinox

 Hummer 2023 Sport Utility variant of the electric Hummer
N/A
EV SUV (planned) EV off-road sub-brand

Motorhomes

Image Model Introduced Discontinued Notes

GMC motorhome 1973 1978

Military vehicles

Image Model Introduced Discontinued Notes

CCKW/CCW 1941 1945

AFKWX 1941 1945 Cab over engine

DUKW 1942 1945 Amphibious

Sedans

Image Model Introduced Discontinued Notes

Rebadged Chevrolet Chevette intended for

Chevette 1992 1995 the
Argentinian market

See also
General Motors
 History of General Motors

References
1. https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/historical-
brochures/GMC/100_YR_GMC_HISTORY_MAR09.pdf
2. Steven Rossi, Antique Automobile, Vol. 85 no. 5, September/October 2021, p. 34
3. Steven Rossi, Antique Automobile, Vol. 85 no. 5, September/October 2021, p. 34
4. "The First Century of GMC Truck History" (https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-herita
ge-archive/historical-brochures/GMC/100_YR_GMC_HISTORY_MAR09.pdf) (PDF). GM
Heritage Center. Donald Meyer. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
5. "Vintage truck models of GMC" (https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/03/30/g-m-truck-com
pany1936/). The Vintage News. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
6. "GMC's Centennial 1921-2012" (http://www.trucktrend.com/features/163-1302-gmcs-centenn
ial-1912-to-2012). Motortrend. Motor Trend Group LLC. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
7. Yanase opened Japan to Western cars (https://www.autonews.com/article/20080331/OEM0
2/303319962/yanase-opened-japan-to-western-cars), Automotive News, March 31, 2008
8. Theobald, Mark. "Yellow Coach Part 1" (http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/y/yellow_coach/yello
w_coach.htm). Coachbuilt. Coachbuilt. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
9. Stauss, Ed (1988). The Bus World Encyclopedia of Buses. Woodland Hills, CA: Stauss
Publications. pp. 29–32, 87, 102–105. ISBN 0-9619830-0-0.
10. Bradsher, Keith (February 20, 1996). "G.M. to Merge GMC Division With Pontiac" (https://ww
w.nytimes.com/1996/02/20/business/gm-to-merge-gmc-division-with-pontiac.html). The New
York Times.
11. "GM Getting Out of Medium-Duty Truck Business" (http://www.nbcnews.com/id/31170969/n
s/business-autos/t/gm-getting-out-medium-duty-truck-business/#.W6EynK2ZPcM).
NBCNews.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
12. No Plans For GMC Versions Of 2019 Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD Medium Duty Truck (htt
p://gmauthority.com/blog/2018/01/no-plans-for-gmc-version-of-2019-silverado-4500hd-5500
hd-medium-duty-trucks/) from GM Authority (January 22, 2018)
13. Paukert, Chris. "Hummer's electrifying return teased in GMC Super Bowl trailer" (https://ww
w.cnet.com/roadshow/news/hummer-electric-return-gmc-super-bowl-trailer-lebron-james/).
Roadshow. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
14. Stromberg, Austin W., ed. (January 1928). "New GMC Six Has Pontiac Engine" (https://book
s.google.com/books?id=ObM3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA65). Power Wagon. XL (277): 64.
15. Hemer, Chris (November 28, 2019). "First Look: 2020 GMC Sierra HD" (https://www.trailerlif
e.com/towing/tow-vehicles/first-look-2020-gmc-sierra-hd/). Trailer Life.
16. "A Brief Outline of the First Century of GMC Truck History" (https://web.archive.org/web/2015
0709070110/https://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/A_Brief_Outline_of_the_Fir
st_Century_of_GMC_Truck_History). GM Heritage Center. Archived from the original (http://h
istory.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/A_Brief_Outline_of_the_First_Century_of_GMC
_Truck_History) on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
17. "List of GM PD Series Parlor Coaches" (http://utahrails.net/buses/GM-PDPARLOR.htm).
18. produced by Yellow Coach 1940–43

External links
Official website (https://www.gmc.com/)
 GMC History (GM's website) (https://web.archive.org/web/20120126081347/http://www.gm.c
om/company/historyAndHeritage.html)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=GMC_(automobile)&oldid=1068981764"

This page was last edited on 31 January 2022, at 03:16 (UTC).

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License;

additional terms may apply. By using
this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.