GM could surely use the extra resources its GMC brand currently eats up, but to make sure nothing negative would occur if the secondary truck nameplate were dropped it might be a good idea to investigate whether there are any models that sell better as GMCs than Chevys? The first popular GMC model that comes to mind is as one that may fit this mold, the Envoy; sibling to Chevy's TrailBlazer (from a general architecture codenamed GMT360 that previously included the Oldsmobile Bravada, plus now also underpins the Buick Rainier and U.S.-only Isuzu Ascender). While I don't have stats that reach to July of this year, at least not readily available, GM's January through May 2005 sales numbers show that the TrailBlazer outsells its Envoy stable mate by more than two to one, at
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| GM's January through May 2005 sales numbers show that the TrailBlazer outsells its Envoy stable mate by more than two to one. (Photo: General Motors Canada) |
87,847 units to 40,715. What about Yukon and Tahoe? Even with the extended wheelbase Yukon XL factored in, its 25,825 unit sales paled in comparison to the Tahoe's 56,410, and if all 32,299 Suburbans were included to make the comparison more accurate (the Suburban is basically a long-wheelbase version of the Tahoe and virtual clone of the Yukon XL) its 88,709 unit total is almost three and a half times that of the Yukon - so much for any GMC advantage in the marketplace.
And speaking of that marketplace, GMC is a dying brand. Not only is it facing attrition due to an ever increasing onslaught of imported rivals, but rising fuel costs are taking a toll on large SUV sales overall, a segment that was previously the nameplate's greatest opportunity for returning to profitability. A recent paper published by the Natural Resources Defense Counsel, titled "In the Tank", shows SUV sales have been on a steady decline, short some 166,936 units, when comparing January through May 2005 sales to the same period in 2004. Overall new vehicle sales are up, however, which negates the potential argument that less money in the system is the cause. Parasitically eating away at conventional SUV sales is the CUV, or
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| The Jimmy, an off-road capable compact SUV that was initially"replaced" by the Envoy (above) but nevertheless soldiered on for a fewmore years to fill a hole that will shortly be void. (Photo: RobRothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
crossover sport utility, experiencing a 82,124 unit rise in sales over the same six month period, and this a category which didn't even exist a few years ago. The challenge is that GMC doesn't offer a crossover vehicle yet, that opportunity given to Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick.
GMC is also about to lose its Safari minivan later this year (production has already ended), and GM wisely didn't replace it with a fifth variation to its new Chevy Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV6, Saturn Relay and Buick Terraza mid-van lineup. Another model that bit the dust at the production end is the Jimmy, an off-road capable compact SUV that was initially "replaced" by the Envoy but nevertheless soldiered on for a few more years to fill a hole that will shortly be void - as soon as the last trickle of Canadian spec models runs dry. It almost looks as if GM is deliberately gutting GMC, reducing its overall significance to the point that even its dealers won't complain if it were to get canned.
