How GMC’s Early Success Led to the Models We All Know and Love Today

Modern vehicles and the technological advances that come along with them make it easy to lose appreciation for what led us here in the first place. We all remember those first few American-made models that changed the automotive industry forever, from the Ford Model T to the Chevrolet Series Classic Six; however, when it comes to trucks, GMC was an early industry leader. The beloved GMC models you know now had to start somewhere. When you search “GMC dealer near me,” you expect to see the Sierra and the Canyon, not the 2-Ton Tanker or the Sprint.

Let’s take a look back at the early 20th century when GMC’s success first began in 1902 with the Rapid Vehicle Motor Company’s “Rapid” truck model. This wasn’t initially a GMC model, but by 1912, the Rapid Vehicle Motor Company was bought by General Motors (GM), and the term “GMC Trucks” was coined. GMC claimed the Rapid 1-ton truck as their own, making it “technically” the first GMC truck on the market. From there, GMC went on to make several other important models like the 2-ton Tanker, the Sprint, and the original Suburban. Let’s take a closer look at some of GMC’s coolest models from across the years.

Earliest GMC Models

Starting with the 1-ton Rapid, let’s just say that its speed certainly didn’t match its name. The Rapid was built in an era where any speed level was impressive. Technically, the Rapid is considered the predecessor to GMC trucks, back when these trucks were guaranteed for “at least a year”: a time frame that was seen as reliable. Rather than the Sierra style we know today, the Rapid looked more like one of those tourism passenger carriers you see in the park or at zoos. Nonetheless, the Rapid deemed itself a capable model for its time.

Since 1 ton just wasn’t enough to cut it, GMC released the first official truck since their takeover: the 2-Ton Tank. While the 2-Ton Tank sounds like the nickname of a high school bully, this truck was anything but cruel. It actually did GMC quite well, proving to be a distance record-breaker at the time; it made it from New York to San Francisco in only 5 days. Now this trip can be completed in as little as a day and 17 hours, but that’s due to speed, fuel stations, and roadway advances. The 2-Ton Tank’s newfound rounded design is perhaps its most monumental feature as it helped define GMC’s truck-style in the long run. Before this, GMC’s trucks (and other brands alike) offered a more boxy design. When comparing GMC to Chevrolet, GMC’s sense of style is what makes it stand out, and that design strength truly started with the 2-Ton Tank.

Family-friendly SUVs existed early on as well, its first incarnation being the Suburban Carryall. This model first appeared in 1937 and blew minds by acting as a truck/car hybrid. Like the modern Chevy SUVs we know and love, the Suburban Carryall offered cargo capacity, passenger space, and even light towing/hauling capacity. Better yet, its price was only $675, which roughly translates to a $12,484 starting price in 2022. This family carrier was so successful that the “Suburban” name is still in the General Motors lineup today via Chevrolet.

The Middle Years

“Going green” is nothing new for GMC. The 1971 GMC Sprint was developed in response to gas mandates that required lower-octane emissions. In order to lessen pollution, the manufacturer added a smog pump to the Sprint’s tailpipe. The unexpected surprise? This was no truck or SUV: the Sprint is a car! In fact, this GMC model was comparable to the popular Chevrolet El Camino. Luxury features are another perk that this model offered, including power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, and power locks which are modern conveniences that are expected today.

Now we’ve finally arrived at the beloved Sierra. Unlike our modern Sierra model lineup, the OG Sierra was nothing more than a package, which led to a trim and eventually its own model. The package first debuted in 1970, and the trims shortly followed in 1972. The trim levels proved so popular that the Sierra got its very own lineup in 1988. Just like today, the 1988 Sierra came in 1500, 2500, and 3500 makeups, each larger and more “capable” than the other.

Before the Canyon came along, the Sonoma came first. As usual, both GM manufacturers (Chevrolet and GMC) offered similar vehicle models. The Sonoma was the sister truck to the S-10. In fact, the Sonoma was initially named “S-15;” however, buyers thought there was something “better” about the S-15 than the S-10 due to the higher number “15” in the title. GMC renamed the S-15, changing its name to “Sonoma” to eliminate any confusion. Nonetheless, both the S-10 and the Sonoma were very similar models. Like our modern-day Canyon and Colorado models, the Sonoma was a lightweight truck that debuted in 1991 (under its new name) and ran until 2004.

The Modern Models

Many of GMC’s classic models are no longer with us today, at least not as brand-new models. Others are still among the most popular in the GM lineup today, like the Chevrolet Suburban and the GMC Sierra. GMC is now centered solely on trucks and SUVs, offering smaller models such as the Canyon truck and the Terrain SUV, the midsize Acadia SUV, and the full-size Yukon and Yukon XL SUVs. The Sierra truck comes in 1500, 2500, and 3500-level models, providing plenty of options for casual and heavy-duty drivers alike.

Great Modern Commuter GMC Models

If you’re looking for an SUV for space purposes, the GMC Terrain and Acadia models are your best bet. The Terrain is ideal for those who need minimal towing and who are looking for fuel efficiency. The Acadia steps up the space and towing game, but it’s still a great midsize option. You’ll get the most power and interior space out of the GMC Yukon SUV, with the Yukon XL offering even more cargo space than the traditional Yukon. Both the Yukon and the Yukon XL can tow over 8,000 pounds, making them a great travel model for large families.

Off-Roading and Labor

GMC fans looking to go off-roading will love the new 2022 GMC Canyon, specifically, the AT4 trim. This truck is smaller than the Sierra, yet it can still tow up to 7,550 pounds, and it has off-road-specific suspension and 4WD with an automatic rear-locking differential. It also starts at a much lower price than the larger Sierra models. That said, the Sierra 1500 is a great model for average labor, while the Sierra 2500 and 3500 HD models are best suited for heavy-duty labor (farmer, large camper towing, etc.).

The New Hummer Models

While GMC did not initially own the classic Hummer models from the 1990s and early 2000s, the brand recently brought the Hummer back as an all-electric model. Both the Hummer EV and the Hummer EV Pickup are new GMC models that offer the same size and aesthetic as the traditional Hummer but with realistic “fuel economy” ratings. Don’t let the electric status fool you. For example, the 2021 Hummer EV Pickup produces 11,500 pound-feet of torque and can tow up to 7,500 pounds, which is almost as much as the all-gasoline Yukon.

GMC’s Evolution Still Continues Today

GMC’s impressive early start has led the company to where it is today: as one of the leading truck brands on the market and a great option for affordable yet luxurious SUVs. While the brand no longer makes cars, its ability to focus solely on truck-based vehicles is part of what makes GMC the reliable brand we all know and love.