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Next-gen GMC Terrain teased looking chiseled in AT4 trim

The next-generation GMC Terrain is coming soon, as GMC just dropped its first teaser of the redesigned compact crossover. It makes sense that GMC is re-doing the Terrain now, as its Bowtie-badged equivalent, the Chevrolet Equinox, was just completely redesigned, too. GMC teased the new Terrain in its most rugged AT4 trim, and the look sure is a bold one from this partial front-end view. From the headlights to the upright grille and chiseled hood, this Terrain is looking more Yukon- and truck-like than ever before. Expect the AT4 version seen here to mirror the Equinox Activ trim from an equipment perspective by adding all-terrain tires wrapping smaller-diameter wheels for a legit boost off-road. It may also feature a unique front bumper for improved approach angle. As for the interior, spy photos have shown that it will differ significantly from its Chevy cousin. Those photos show a tall, vertically-oriented screen that takes its cues from the GMC Acadia. There isn’t much in the way of details provided by GMC, but the company does let on that the new Terrain – this will be its third generation – will have a “bolder, more assertive design” throughout the vehicle. Based on the Equinox, we're expecting it to get the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 175 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel and front-wheel drivetrains will likely be offered as well. A full reveal isnÂ’t planned until “later this year,” leading us to believe this Terrain will be a 2025 model year vehicle just like the Equinox is. ItÂ’s also scheduled to launch after the refreshed Yukon, which GMC says is coming along later this year, too. Related video:

GM to squeeze out more production capacity for midsize trucks

General Motors was predicting a strong showing for the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon before they debuted, and demand among dealers for the midsize trucks even exceeded company's expectations. The positive situation has left GM with a problem, though: finding ways to increase capacity for the pickups at the Wentzville Assembly plant in Missiouri. With a third shift already running, GM has continued to look for ways to build just a few more of the trucks at the plant. The company has plans to hire as many as 1,000 more workers for the Saturday and Sunday shifts to construct an additional 2,000 pickups a month, according to unnamed insiders at the factory speaking to Automotive News. The little adjustments even extend to getting rid of an unpaid break to add 18 minute of assembly time over the course of a day, which equals about 3,500 more vehicles a year. All of this effort comes because the trucks are in such high demand. According to GM's figures, the company has delivered a combined 35,720 units of the Colorado and Canyon from January through April 2015, and the Chevy was the fastest-selling truck in the US for the previous three months. In May, it spent an average of just 12 days in showrooms before being snapped up. And even better for the company, 43 percent of these buyers came from other brands. According to Automotive News, the most popular trade-ins have included the Ford F-150, Toyota Tacoma, and Dodge Dakota. Related Video:

GMC wants to target Jeep with compact crossover

GMC execs might consider adding a Jeep competitor to the range, but rather than new rumors of a Wrangler-fighter, this time the Professional Grade brand could go after the Renegade. Division boss Duncan Aldred would like to broaden the brand's lineup with a subcompact crossover. "I keep telling everyone, 'How can General Motors' truck brand not be in the fastest-growing segment in the industry, an SUV segment," he said to Automotive News but wouldn't confirm whether the model was under development. General Motors already offers small crossovers like the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore, but the CUV segment in general continues to drive auto sales in the US. Adding a similarly sized GMC to the mix might increase the automaker's volume by appealing to different customers. "A GMC buyer is very different from a Buick buyer. This is like comparing the Fiat 500X to the Jeep Renegade. They are very similar but appeal to different people," Dave Sullivan, Product Analysis Manager at AutoPacific, told Autoblog. Aldred started the speculation about a Wrangler-fighting model in an interview in late 2014, and the company reportedly even raised the idea of an offroad-focused vehicle to dealers to see how they reacted. The development process was only in the very early planning stages, but the brand considered using Hummer for a little of the new product's inspiration. Aldred later suggested to journalists the possibility of adding a compact or midsize SUV to the GMC range in the next 10 years to appeal to more buyers. He didn't comment directly on the possibility of the Wrangler-challenger at the time beyond saying: "I can't confirm that ... everything's on the table." Related Video: