A quick look at the lineup, excluding Safari and Jimmy, shows five 2006 models. As previously mentioned, the Envoy shares styling, drivetrains, chassis components and interiors (more or less) with four alternative GM products, the Yukon with two internal rivals, and the Sierra pickup with one, while the Canyon compact pickup is a virtual clone of the Chevy Colorado, full-size Savana van with the Chevy Express, and that's it. Meanwhile, the Chevy Truck dealer competing for the GMC dealer's
customers gets additional bowtie models to boost his fighting chance, such as the entry-level Equinox, versatile Avalanche pickup cum SUV, and sporty SSR. That Chevy dealer also gets a full lineup of top-selling cars which includes one truck-like model, the new HHR, a compact Chrysler PT-Cruiser rival based on the new Chevrolet Cobalt.
So in the end, the question GM execs must ask themselves while sitting around the boardroom table is whether or not a viable long-term business case exists for GMC. Can tough decisions be made without allowing emotions to cloud sound judgment? Axing Oldsmobile must have been troubling indeed. With past models such as the Fleetline, Rocket 88, Starfire, Cutlass (especially in 442 trim) and Toronado to the brand's credit, or just the fact that it was the oldest automotive nameplate in America and had just previously celebrated its 100th birthday, must have made the executioners job painful to say the least.
And while namedropping GMC models such as the Sierra or Savana into heated auto enthusiast conversations might not ignite the same passions among collector car hobbyists that Oldsmobile's models do, the brand's classic 1973 motor home being the most memorable model to me, never underestimate the loyalty of truck buyers. Yes, there are those who will go
a round our two with anyone "crazy" enough to compare a GMC to a Chevy, let alone have the gall to question GMC's right to exist. After all, at 104 years old it deserves emeritus status, existing only due to time faithfully served.
But that last point in mind, I find it strange how GM managed to celebrate the hundredth year of GMC production when the division's predecessor, General Motors Truck Company was organized on July 22, 1911, to handle sales of GM's Rapid and Reliance products (two brands that were purchased only two years prior and are now long since defunct). But perhaps GM is looking way back to when one of its acquired truck brands, such as Rapid, started building vehicles, or possibly the person in GM's historical department assigned with posting the very interesting and informative timeline on their website (http://www.gm.com/company/corp_info/history/index.html) just can't count, as GMC became an official brand in 1943 after the General bought up all assets of Yellow Truck & Coach and formed the GMC Truck & Coach Division (someone lend some wisdom on this topic if you like as my 42 years of existence makes me reliant on GM's marketing department for information). Still it hardly makes any difference, because what matters is the brand has been around a long time and removing it from active duty would be a difficult process.
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| Chevy dealers get a full lineup of top-selling cars, which includes one truck-like model, the new HHR. (Photo: General Motors Canada) |
So in the end, the question GM execs must ask themselves while sitting around the boardroom table is whether or not a viable long-term business case exists for GMC. Can tough decisions be made without allowing emotions to cloud sound judgment? Axing Oldsmobile must have been troubling indeed. With past models such as the Fleetline, Rocket 88, Starfire, Cutlass (especially in 442 trim) and Toronado to the brand's credit, or just the fact that it was the oldest automotive nameplate in America and had just previously celebrated its 100th birthday, must have made the executioners job painful to say the least.
And while namedropping GMC models such as the Sierra or Savana into heated auto enthusiast conversations might not ignite the same passions among collector car hobbyists that Oldsmobile's models do, the brand's classic 1973 motor home being the most memorable model to me, never underestimate the loyalty of truck buyers. Yes, there are those who will go
 |
| Yes, there are those who will go a round our two with anyone "crazy" enough to compare a GMC to a Chevy, let alone have the gall to question GMC's right to exist. (Photo: General Motos Canada) |
But that last point in mind, I find it strange how GM managed to celebrate the hundredth year of GMC production when the division's predecessor, General Motors Truck Company was organized on July 22, 1911, to handle sales of GM's Rapid and Reliance products (two brands that were purchased only two years prior and are now long since defunct). But perhaps GM is looking way back to when one of its acquired truck brands, such as Rapid, started building vehicles, or possibly the person in GM's historical department assigned with posting the very interesting and informative timeline on their website (http://www.gm.com/company/corp_info/history/index.html) just can't count, as GMC became an official brand in 1943 after the General bought up all assets of Yellow Truck & Coach and formed the GMC Truck & Coach Division (someone lend some wisdom on this topic if you like as my 42 years of existence makes me reliant on GM's marketing department for information). Still it hardly makes any difference, because what matters is the brand has been around a long time and removing it from active duty would be a difficult process.