1995 Gmc Two Door Yukon (rare) on 2040-cars

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GMC Hummer EV's taillights cost thousands to replace

The GMC Hummer EV pickup hasn’t stopped raising eyebrows since GM pulled back the curtain on the behemoth in Spring 2021. ItÂ’s huge, not all that efficient, and unbelievably expensive, but now weÂ’re learning how much replacement parts cost for the new EV. The Drive dug up a post from the Hummer EV Facebook page that claimed a taillight replacement for the vehicle costs thousands to replace. General Motors confirmed pricing to the publication, quoting a one-side replacement cost of $3,045.48. That adds up to more than $6,000 to replace both, so we hope your insurance is solid if you own one. Why would a taillight housing cost that much? Part of the cost comes from the fact that GM couldnÂ’t parts-share its way through the design of a $100,000 flagship electric SUV, but most of the price comes from the complexity of the lights. The Hummer offers elaborate lighting sequences that require microchips and other components, all of which cost money. ThereÂ’s also the fact that the Hummer EV is too new for General Motors to take advantage of its usual economies of scale in mass-produced vehicles. General Motors recalled the Hummer EV earlier this year for issues with the taillights. Though the problem was software-related, GM had to replace the entire light units because the software controlling them was actually embedded in the lights. ItÂ’s true that there are very few vehicles that are tall and large enough to impact the HummerÂ’s taillights, but we hope the owners of those vehicles never have to file an insurance claim to replace one. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

GMC to get own model not shared with Chevy?

For years, GMC has existed as a brand without a single unique product, reconstituting Chevrolet trucks, SUVs and crossovers with more frosting in exchange for a few extra dollars. The Sierra is a Silverado, the Acadia a Traverse, and the Terrain an Equinox, although admittedly the latter pair are visually differentiated to a significant degree.
GMC could be set to expand beyond its Chevy-based roots, though. During last week's Detroit Auto Show press days, GM's product boss Mark Reuss was asked whether there'd ever be a GMC that wasn't taken from Chevy. "Oh, yes, you will," Reuss told the media. "The health of GMC is astonishingly good from a consideration standpoint." Reuss wouldn't elaborate on what the model could be, although we're quite happy to make some guesses. GMC has its bases fairly well covered, with a mid-size and full-size crossover, as well as a mid-size, full-size and HD pickup. We doubt GMC will be building a family sedan, sports car, or hatchback, so really, the only place we can see the brand going is into a smaller crossover.
Automotive News points out that the most recent small GMC showcar, the 2010 Granite concept (shown above), won't see production according to General Motors. That vehicle likely would have rode on GM's compact vehicle architecture, known internally as Gamma II, which underpins the Chevy Spark and Sonic, as well as the Buick Encore (and its overseas Opel/Vauxhall/Chevy counterparts).

GMC Safari GT, a rad-era hauler with custom-van swagger

The GMC Safari van, along with its Chevy Astro sibling, performed yeoman service ferrying passengers and hauling cargo for two decades starting in 1985. But one special variant, the Safari GT — and, at Chevrolet, the Astro RS — added an unexpected dollop of swagger. Those vans had a custom look that was straight out of the '70s "sin bin" era. One of those Safari GTs is up for grabs right now, fittingly, on the RADforsale auction site. The option package at both GMC and Chevrolet was coded BYP, the GT Sport Package, and it appears to have been offered from 1990 to 1994. Its defining element was the two-tone paint treatment shown here, with black on the lower body and the greenhouse, and your choice of white, silver, blue, gold, or red as the main body color. Blanked out rear quarter windows and "simulated air exhaust louvers" behind the middle side windows added a further bit of style (long-wheelbase XT versions skipped that flourish). Also included were a front air dam, blacked-out grille, aluminum rally wheels, and a sport suspension. This 1991 Safari GT appears to have been further sportified with a lower-body aero kit, a rooftop spoiler, and aftermarket wheels. This rear-wheel-drive, standard-wheelbase model is powered by a 4.3-liter V6 hooked to a four-speed automatic transmission. It has traveled a relatively low 126,000 miles and looks to be in exceptionally good shape — particularly given that most of these vans lived a hard life. At this writing, bidding stands at $5,100 with bidding to end May 21. That suggests this Astro GT will bring a strong price — but if you want one, you may be hard-pressed to find another.