The History of GMC

In 1902, the Grabowsky brothers opened a company in Detroit that built trucks with single-cylinder engines. Over time a larger group took shape, absorbing smaller and dependent automotive businesses. The Grabowsky company was the first to join the new structure, along with the Reliance Motor Car Company. At first the group built only trucks. During World War I, GMC produced army trucks, and more than 10,000 of them went to serve American soldiers. 

In 1916, GMC trucks drove from Seattle to New York in 30 days, a cross-country run through the United States. 

After World War I, the company was modernized, and its model lineup changed as well. In 1925, The Yellow Cab Manufacturing company became part of GMC. After that, the company adopted its own logo and shifted its focus to vehicles with a range of payload capacities.

In 1931, the world saw the T-95 8-Series truck, equipped with a four-speed transmission and air brakes. Three years later came the first truck with the engine placed over the cab.

Over time, GMC vehicle design became less boxy, and the range of paint colors for trucks grew.

General Motors in World War II

During the hard war years, GMC put into mass production the equipment the US government needed. This included military trucks (for example, the famous GMC DUKW amphibious truck, which could travel on water) as well as equipment for submarines.

Popular models of the 1950s included diesel-powered trucks called "Jimmy." In 1956, the company introduced its first four-wheel-drive (4WD) truck. Ten years later, in 1966, the "Rally" van appeared. It sold well without any modifications for the next 30 years. This fine model received a major facelift only in 1996, and then again in 2003.

From 1968 to 1987, GMC plants also built another successful model, a truck designated Astro-95, whose engine was again mounted over the cab.

In 1988, General Motors joined forces with Volvo-White, a company that specialized in heavy trucks. Together they created a new truck brand called "New Family."

In 1991, GMC launched the full-size Yukon SUV, which sold well in the home market thanks to its comfort, reliability and good looks. Around the same time, the company started building the Jimmy SUV series, which stayed in production until 2008. The upscale performance version of the Jimmy was called the Syclone. And the 2001 GMC Envoy earned the honorable title of "SUV of the Year."

Around the turn of the century, the company sadly found itself on the brink of collapse. It was saved by a US government bailout of about 30 billion dollars. The company's shares were divided among GM's major creditors, the US and Canadian governments, and the American autoworkers' union.

As a result, a new company, General Motors Company, was established in 2009. The group still includes promising divisions such as Opel, Chevrolet and Cadillac.

In 2007, GMC introduced the Acadia. Drivers appreciated its modern styling, comfortable interior and practical 3.6-liter engine. Another step forward came in 2009 with the powerful GMC Terrain crossover, which is based on the Chevrolet Equinox.

So General Motors may no longer be what it once was. But the times demand new ideas and new technologies, and this famous American company keeps bringing them to life. After all, the crisis is behind it!