Overview & Reviews

GMC is a division of General Motors that focuses on producing SUVs, trucks and vans. Though GMC's vehicles are mechanically similar to related Chevrolet products, they are typically differentiated by unique features, trim levels and minor styling tweaks. The automaker's full-size pickups and SUVs are the most compelling offerings in its lineup; in many cases, its products in these categories are class-leading.

The marque's roots lie in the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, a truck manufacturer that was founded by Max Grabowski in 1902. The outfit was purchased by General Motors in 1909 with the intention of having it serve as a division dedicated to building tough and capable trucks. The brand came to be known as GMC Truck; early models include the T16 and T20. Most of the manufacturer's trucks were very utilitarian in nature and functioned as dump trucks, fire trucks and military vehicles. GMC Truck's 3/4-ton Model 16 saw duty in World War I, serving mostly as a battlefield ambulance.

Sales continued to climb in the 1920s. After switching to a six-cylinder Buick-built motor, GMC Truck's 1- and 2-ton trucks earned the distinction of being the fastest in their classes. By the '30s, the line had grown to include everything from half-ton pickups to 10-ton trucks and buses. New models included the popular 1936 Suburban, which was essentially a truck-based station wagon that paired a truck's utility with a car's creature comforts.

World War II was a time of expansion for GMC Truck, thanks to its acquisition of Yellow Truck & Coach. Once again, the automaker's vehicles were tapped for wartime duty. New models like the Jimmy and the DUKW (nicknamed the Duck) were widely used by American troops.

Postwar, GMC Truck models became more consumer-oriented, and many were revamped to offer styling that more closely resembled passenger cars. The 1950s and '60s witnessed an upswing in sales, thanks to the popularity of recreational vehicles like GMC-based motor homes and pickup campers. The Jimmy name was revived and assigned to the brand's first ever sport-utility vehicle in 1970. That decade and the next saw a continued rise in the brand's popularity. The early '90s saw the brief appearance of the Syclone and Typhoon. The former was a small street pickup that burned up the asphalt with its turbocharged V6 and all-wheel drive. The latter was essentially a two-door SUV based on the same platform. Either one of these oddball speedsters could rip through a quarter-mile in around 14 seconds flat, making them among the quickest vehicles ever offered by General Motors. Also, by this time, GMC Truck had trimmed its moniker; the brand is now known simply as GMC.

In the past few decades, GM has consolidated its products and GMC's trucks have become less individualistic as a result. Today, most of GMC's vehicles are virtually identical to those sold by Chevrolet. The main differences lie in minor features and design tweaks that give GMC's offerings a more upscale image.

User Reviews:

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  GMC= Garbage Motor Company - 1990 GMC Safari
  By Tony Rodriguez - June 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van brand new from the dealer as a family vehicle.I only drove it to the grocery, and to take my kids to school 14K the bucket seat broke$305.61.At 23K the dist.cap and rotor had to be replaced $116.90. The next year 29k the electric door locks quit working and had to be $45.34.Later the sliding door came off the tracks$197.28.The cat.conv. had to be replaced at 50K ,$569.95. Finally with 57K the engine blew .I asked GMC Corp. to participate on a portion of the repair cost but was denied I guess I cant really blame GMC for not backing up their product.I wouldnt stand behind it either.

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  Ill never buy another GMC - 1990 GMC Safari
  By Antonio - June 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van brand new and have had nothing but trouble with it. The sit adjuster, door lock switch, and window assambly broke within the first three years(non cover by warranty). The sliding door came off the tracks by year five. I had to replace the engine at 57000 miles. GMC has refused to participate on any of the repairs. I would never buy another GMC again.

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  Not Happy! - 2004 GMC Sierra 2500
  By Roscoe - May 29 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle became a nightmare after about 10,000 miles. First the steering shaft failed ... ? Thats right, the steering shaft! Next the instrument cluster had to be replaced since the low oil pressure warning kept chiming. It still chimes uncontrollably after replacing the oil pressure sending unit three times, the oil and filter five times (when it didnt need it), and get this ... they changed the oil pump and the thing still chimes at will! The truck rides like a tank. Now the steering gear box needs to be replaced. There are less than 85,000 miles on this pig!

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  I hate my Truck - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Who Cares GM Doesnt - May 27 - 1:56 pm

  The fuel sloshes in the tank, the brakes squeak, the trans clunk and thumps, service people are incompetent and have the same old worthless GM attitude, cab is too narrow.

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  2014 Sierra Impression - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By tomcat25 - May 26 - 9:15 pm

  Is GM ever going to hire some who knows how to program an engine/transmission ? I own a 2014 sierra 1500 and have decided I wont put up with the horrible engine and tranny operation any longer.Warranty or not I will have a tune done and it will NOT be anything written by GM. I do know people who have had it done to their trucks,have driven them,and I will do it to mine. How anyone at GM who signs off on these driveline calibrations still has there jobs is beyond me. These people do not know there jobs and need to go. A tuning person with real world knowledge is needed. A laptop, some realistic programming and an hours seat time is literally all that is needed! GM,the public deserves better!

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  Overall Junk - 1992 GMC Sonoma
  By Eric Russell - May 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck new and it has been the worst experiance of my life. The body is a rust magnet. GMC must have made primer optional, and it missed my truck completly. The interior is a nightmare. The seat is too low, the steering wheel blocks most of the controls, and it squeeks and rattles since new.

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  Averaging one repair a year - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By irishlager - March 27 - 7:36 pm

  This is poor quality truck. In five years I have had five repairs and one recall. My repairs have included a cracked transmission case, bad steering mid-shaft, bad seatbelt, bad water pump, and bad wiper switch. In addition, I am currently losing lights in my dash and have lost most of my fan. GM likes to advertise this as professional grade. However, no professional in his right mind should buy this truck. Please save yourself and buy something else.

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  UUUggghhhhhh!!! - 1994 GMC Safari
  By Cleckster1 - March 2 - 11:44 pm

  Have had nothing but problems with this vehicle since day 1. Two weeks after I purchased, it broke down half way over the Mackinac Bridge while on vacation. I have put over $1000.00 into it in less than six months because of course nothing was covered under the two seperate warrantys purchased. Also I will never buy anything from Mount Clemens Dodge ever again and I would tell everyone possible not to go there either. Really Bad service and completly dishonest!

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  Rattle Box - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By BigDad77 - March 2 - 8:12 pm

  I leases this SUV new in 2000. All I can say is it spark knox, every piece of cheap plastic inside rattles, the tailgate release broke, the steering makes a popping snap sound, the handle to recline the front seat snapped off. I only have 13,000 miles and I should of kept my 7 year old Explorer.

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  This GMC should be called POS - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By pmoore - February 28 - 8:20 pm

  What a piece of %^&*( this vehicle has been. The first six months we owned it, it was in the shop for 8 weeks total because of nagging problems with the anti theft system locking up and making the engine shut dow or not start at all. Loads of rattles, brake noise and squeeks. Plus the infamous "vortec" engine sounds worse than a John Deere tractor...lots of metalic thrashing when under acceleration.