General Motors Corporation is an American concern, a manufacturer of trucks, including the so-called passenger trucks (pickups and utility vans).
Starting in 1900, the brothers Max and Maurice Grabowski created a truck intended for sale, equipped with a single-cylinder horizontal engine. In 1902, Rapid Motor Vehicle was founded, which began producing single-cylinder trucks. In 1908, with the advent of William S. Duran, General Motors was established to take over the Rapid Motor Vehicle and all other small car companies in Michigan. In 1909, the first generation of GMC trucks was launched. And in 1916, the General Motors Corporation was formed.
The company's trucks in 1916 participate in the first trans-American rally and cross the country from Seattle to New York.
During the First World War, GM supplied about 10,000 trucks and modifications based on them for the needs of the army from 1917 to 1919. After the war ended, GM began to improve the assembly line at a plant in Pontiac, Michigan, and began to re-equip their cars, changing their bodies, into railway railcars and motor vehicles of various purposes.
In 1925, an important event occurred - the company "The Yellow Cab Manufacturing" from Chicago entered the GMC. Now GMC has the opportunity to produce trucks, both small and medium-duty with its own emblem.
In 1927, T-series cars appeared, and by 1931, one of the first Class 8 vehicles, the T-95 heavy truck. This was a three-axle car with pneumatic brakes and a four-speed transmission, a car with a payload capacity of up to fifteen tons.
In 1929, GMC received an order to develop a special truck for transporting circus animals, in particular elephants.
In 1934, GMC created the first truck model with a cab located above the engine, which was supplied to Bekins Van and Storage. By 1937, the company's new trucks took on streamlined shapes, and the color gamut expanded. By 1939, Series A models came into operation, counting modifications AC, ADC, AF, ADF, with numbers from 100 to 850 inclusive.
In 1935, GMC opened in Detroit the production of diesel engines, which became popular in the construction of trucks.
In 1938, GMC created the first T-14 half-ton pickup truck.
During the Second World War, GMC carries out military orders - tanks, equipment for submarines and special trucks, many of which came to Russia as part of a Lend-Lease program. One of these vehicles was the DUKW amphibian, capable of traveling by water and land, carrying soldiers and equipment. Undoubtedly, this car is the famous “Duck”, which was produced in three common modifications: two-, four- and eight-ton.In the second half of the 40s, GM was very popular - cars came true with success, even without major changes in design.
In March 1949, the A series models began to rapidly become obsolete, a qualitatively new design of Class 8 trucks was replaced. At the end of the year, the H series model appeared, which remained the only Class 8 truck manufactured by the company throughout the 50s. The Bubblenose version was also released with a cabin located above the engine, which was commissioned to equip a berth. Series numbers from 900 and higher were assigned to the most heavy-duty machines of the Class 8 category, and numbers less than 900 belonged to vehicles of relatively lower carrying capacity.
Jimmy trucks were produced in the 1950s. The 1954 Jimmy 630 Series is equipped with a 471 Detroit Diesel, a five-speed main and three-speed auxiliary transmissions.
In 1956, GMC launches the first all-wheel drive - 4WD.
The last trucks with a cab located above the engine, such as the Bubblenose, were launched in 1959. They were replaced by the model of the series, known as "Crackerbox", which was given for the angular shape of the cabin, which resembles a box. Modifications were released both with a berth and without it. This truck was produced from 1950 to 1968.
In 1968, the GM truck family was replenished with a new car - the "Astro-95" with a cab located above the engine. He quickly gained widespread recognition. The car was equipped with a new semicircular dashboard, a new windshield that provides better visibility, and the cab design is completely changed. Modifications were produced both with a berth and without it.
In 1987, Astro was discontinued. It should be noted here that, based on the massive H models characteristic of the 50s, 9500 series machines were created that appeared in 1966. These were impressive-looking trucks with a long fiberglass hood. The hood leaned forward, revealing enough space to accommodate any diesel engine, including the Detroit Diesel V-12.
In January 1988, GMC became part of the Volvo-White truck group and continues to be strong today by releasing trucks under the New Family brand name, which have become a joint Volvo-White-GMC product. and "Autocar."
The GMC emblem can be seen on modern Class 8 trucks, but legacy modifications are still in use.
Now GMC presents several models.
Pickup Sonoma (in three versions: Regular Cab, Extended Cab, Crew Cab).
The full-size Sierra ACE pickup, which was first presented at the Detroit Auto Show in January 1999. Externally, the GMC Sierra ACE is distinguished by a combination of rectangular and round headlights, powerful 18-inch wheels, a large number of decorative chrome details. The double cabin is designed to carry six people. Access to the rear seat is provided by a third door on the starboard side.
The Safari all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive minivan is a compact family car for the countryside. They also use Safari for commercial transport (in Van Cargo configuration). From its Chevrolet Astro counterpart, the model differs in the design of the front end with traditionally large GMC letters.
The Savana SLT minibus is designed for seven passengers. There are three modifications of the Savana: 1500, 2500 and 3500 (accommodating from 12 to 15 passengers).
The Yukon SUV has not only all-wheel drive. Releasing options with rear drive wheels ~ this chassis is lighter and cheaper. Both Yukon with a wheelbase of 2946 mm, and Yukon XL with a base of 3302 mm have the same type of universal type body with a capacity of 5-9 and 7-9 people, respectively. Needless to say, the comfort of these cars is at the level of large passenger sedans. In 2000, the second generation of Yukon / Yukon XL models, akin to the Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban, saw the light of day.
In early 2001, there was a change in the generation of GMC Envoy SUVs, which have their pedigree since the Chevrolet Blazer jeeps. The new generation is significantly different from the previous model. First of all, it is noticeable by the enlargement of the car, and secondly it is a completely new car. All external and internal parameters of the machine have increased. The equipment of the model also became richer. The car will be offered in versions with all-wheel drive and rear.