2014 Gmc Black Widow Sierra 2500 4x4 Lifted Loaded With All The Extras on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Will GMC enter the subcompact crossover segment after all?

GMC last year categorically ruled out launching a subcompact crossover positioned below the Terrain, but the decade-old rumor refuses to die. The on-again, off-again model is back on track for production, according to a recent report. Citing anonymous sources, enthusiast website GM Authority claims the soft-roader is closer than ever to receiving the proverbial green light for production. It hasn't been approved yet, so development work hasn't started. What it will look like if it receives a thumbs-up from executives is up in the air, but GMC can take several paths into this lucrative (and increasingly popular) segment of America's new-car market. Chevrolet has two fighters in the ring: the Trailblazer and the Trax. GMC could feasibly choose one, put it in a brand-specific wrapper, and call it a day. It could also design its entry from scratch, though this option would take longer and cost significantly more. Either way, the model will allegedly be called Granite or Graphyte, and it will be positioned below the Terrain in terms of size and price, meaning it would likely start above $20,000. In 2019, GMC explained it ruled out expanding its range towards the bottom to position itself as a premium brand. It wanted to focus on high-profit models, like the Sierra and the Canyon, but the crossover's ever-increasing popularity may have proven too alluring to resist. Besides, small and premium aren't mutually exclusive, and downsizing would help the brand increase its annual sales. If you're experiencing deja vu, it's likely because we've heard murmurs about a city-friendly GMC since the Granite concept (pictured) made its debut during the 2010 edition of the Detroit Auto Show. It was approved for production that year, approved again in 2011 (tentatively on a Cruze platform), and abruptly canceled in 2012. GMC hasn't commented on the report, so we'll need to be patient to find out if it's accurate — and how it would differentiate its entry-level crossover from Buick's. In the meantime, the company is putting the final touches on the electric Hummer, which will be offered as a pickup and as an SUV, and it's about to unveil the 2022 Sierra. Featured Gallery GMC Granite Concept Rumormill GMC Crossover

There's an impending shortage of new trucks in America's heartland

URBANDALE, Iowa — Jerry Bill is worried the novel coronavirus could hurt business at the Des Moines auto dealership he runs, but not because of a shortage of buyers for the big Ram pickups on his lot. "Our biggest issue will be if we don't get more inventory," said Bill, general sales manager of Stew Hansen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, which sells around 2,700 new vehicles a year in Urbandale, a suburb of Iowa's capital Des Moines. After a drop in sales in April when consumers stayed home, Bill expects pickup truck sales to end May similar to where they were a year earlier. And if demand remains strong, Bill said he will run out of popular models in June. Fiat Chrysler began slowly restarting Ram truck assembly lines on Monday after a two-month shutdown. The U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter at its sharpest pace since the Great Recession of 2007-2009 because of lockdown measures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. Economists warn the second quarter will be much worse. Still, far from the lockdowns of states like New York, Michigan or Ohio, dealerships like Stew Hansen have provided FCA and Detroit rivals General Motors and Ford a rare bright spot: strong sales of pickup trucks in America's heartland. Overall U.S. sales of cars and light trucks crashed to the weakest pace in 50 years last month. But sales of big Detroit brand pickups, particularly in southern and western states less affected by the outbreak, significantly outperformed the market, industry executives and analysts said. Pickup trucks are one of the most profitable automotive segments in the world. They account for a huge portion of the Detroit automakers' profits and formed a huge lure for Peugeot, which expects to merge with FCA by early 2021. The pressure is now on to boost pickup truck production and send vehicles to dealers in parts of the country with dwindling supplies. That is particularly true for GM, which is running short of certain truck models after losing 40 days of production to a strike last fall. "If you don't have what someone wants, they can choose to go to another brand," said Cox Automotive analyst Michelle Krebs. 'Easiest swap ever' Detroit automakers in March rolled out large discounts — such as interest-free loans for seven years — to keep vehicles rolling off dealer lots.

GMC Hummer EV will be unveiled during the World Series and 'The Voice'

A big-time vehicle reveal deserves a prime-time multi-platform debut. At least, that seems to be the opinion of the folks tasked with reintroducing the American public on October 20 to the Hummer nameplate, this time affixed to pickups and SUVs that also wear General Motors' "Professional Grade" GMC badge. And instead of a standalone brand with dealerships full of gas-guzzling off-road beasts, this new, kinder, gentler and fully electric Hummer won't sip any gas at all. The debut will take place across several channels. As has been the de facto process during the pandemic, the event will be streamed online. But — taking a page from the reveal of the Ford Bronco this past July — it will also be witnessed by watchers of the World Series on Fox and "The Voice" on NBC (at least those who are watching live and aren't skipping commercials). Interestingly, according to The Detroit News the television segments will be spread across multiple commercial breaks as sort of a mini film. Naturally, we'll be covering the unveiling live right here on Autoblog, and we'd argue that's the best place to see it all unfold (we admit we may be biased). In any case, no matter where you watch you'll be treated to a host of details about what GMC is calling "the worldÂ’s first super truck." We know it'll boast 1,000 horsepower, go from 0-60 in around 3 seconds, have the next generation of GM's Super Cruise autonomy technology, have removable roof panels and be able to crab walk. Sounds pretty super to us, and we're looking forward to the full reveal in just a couple of weeks. See you then. Related Video: