GMC

GMC is a brand used by American car manufacturer General Motors for sport utility vehicles and trucks. GMC produces both gasoline-powered and hybrid vehicles.

Backstory

GMC was the fifth brand added to the General Motors line after Buick, Oldsmobile, Oakland and Cadillac. Although generally thought of as a manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks, GMC is also a competitor of fellow General Motors brand Chevrolet in the light truck and SUV lines.

GMC Timeline

1902: GMC's forerunner, the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, is formed in Detroit, Michigan and the first truck rolls off the production line.

1911: The GMC logo was first used by new General Motors Truck Company.

1912: The Rapid Motor Vehicle Company and GMC offer battery-powered, electric trucks.

1914: The first GMC-designed trucks are produced.

1916: A GMC truck is the first to cross the United States in under 32 days.

1917-1919: Over 8,500 GMC trucks are provided to the U.S. Army for the war effort.

1920: Pneumatic tires replace solid rubber tires on GMC trucks.

1921: Electric lights replace oil lamps.

1925: The Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company merges with GMC to form Yellow Truck & Coach Manufacturing Company.

1931: GMC takes over the production of 6-cylinder engines for Buick.

1936: Fifteen new conventional cab models are released.

1937: GMC replaces mechanical brakes with hydraulic.

1941-1945: GMC produces upwards of 580,000 multi-drive military vehicles for the war effort.

1943: The first GMC amphibious 6x6 "Ducks" is delivered to the U.S. Army.

1954: GMC introduces power-steering in many of their models.

1960: GMC introduces models with gasoline engines.

1968: GMC comes in third for total U.S. truck sales and begins building Chevrolet's medium and heavy duty trucks out of Pontiac, Michigan.

1971: GMC improves stopping ability with disc front brakes.

1977: GMC is hit by the global fuel shortage crisis, causing

a dip in truck sales.

1985: GMC debuts the mid-sized Safari van.

1986: GMC joins a venture with Volvo to build and sell heavy duty trucks.

1990: GMC improved fuel economy and performance with electronic fuel injection replacing throttle body injection on their gasoline-powered engines.

1993: Electronic automatic transmissions become available in most light duty GMC models.