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2013 GMC Sierra

2013 GMC SIERRA 1500 LINEUP IS DIVERSE, POWERFUL AND EFFICIENT

GMC Sierra 1500 for 2013 features a broad, diverse and efficient lineup, offering everything from the job-ready Work Truck models to the luxurious Sierra Denali.

Sierra 1500 is available in several trim packages, including Work Truck, SL (crew cab and extended cab), XFE, SLE and SLT, in 2WD and 4WD configurations (XFE is 2WD only). The range of body styles and configurations includes: three cab styles – regular, extended and crew cab – and three cargo box lengths: 5 feet 8 inches (short), 6 feet 6 inches (standard) and 8 feet (long).

A range of powerful yet efficient V-8 engines is offered. Variable valve timing is standard on all V-8 engines and cylinder-deactivating Active Fuel Management is incorporated on 5.3L engines. These technologies help optimize performance and efficiency. In fact, Sierra's powertrains, backed by fuel-saving, six-speed automatic transmissions, help deliver the industry's best V-8 fuel economy – including up to 22 mpg on the highway for the Sierra XFE and up to 23 mpg on the highway with the segment-exclusive Sierra Hybrid.

The Sierra XFE is the only full-size truck that offers more than 300 horsepower and greater than 21 mpg on the highway. It incorporates unique aerodynamic enhancements, a 5.3L/six-speed automatic powertrain and other details to deliver its 22-mpg highway rating, while the Sierra Denali fuses performance and unmatched luxury, with specific exterior cues, a well-appointed interior and a powerful 6.2L V-8 engine.

Supported by the robust full-size truck architecture, Sierra's powertrains also enable excellent capability, including a maximum payload capacity of 1,937 pounds (838 kg). And when equipped with the available max trailering package and the 6.2L V-8, the Sierra 1500 can tow up to 10,700 pounds (4,853 kg).

New for 2013 is powertrain grade braking in the normal transmission mode. It was previously incorporated only when the Tow/Haul mode was activated. It uses engine torque to help slow the vehicle on descents, which helps reduce brake wear. It is featured with the 5.3L and 6.2L engines paired with six-speed transmissions.

Also new is a pair of exterior colors: Sonoma Red Metallic and Heritage Blue Metallic.

Sierra Denali details

The Sierra Denali is offered in 2WD and AWD configurations. It is powered by a 6.2L V-8 engine, rated at 403 horsepower (301 kW) and 417 lb.-ft. of torque (565 Nm). The engine is paired with the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission. Complementing drivetrain features include a 9.5-inch rear axle (2WD) or 8.6-inch rear axle (AWD) with 3.42 gears and an automatic locking rear differential. The specially tuned Z60 suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, StabiliTrak, skid plates and recovery hooks are standard. Twenty-inch chrome-finish aluminum wheels are standard and unique to Denali.

A Denali-specific chrome grille makes the truck instantly recognizable. Additional chrome trim and body-color bumpers further distinguish it. Sierra Denali also offers a unique combination of interior style and luxury, including standard nuance leather-appointed seats, heated and cooled 12-way power-adjustable front seats and an exclusive leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel.

Denali models feature a unique center console, enhanced interior bright work and detailed, highly finished embossed sill plates. The center console has wood grain-appearance trim that conceals the lid and cupholder pockets, creating a more finished and refined appearance.

Sierra design and exterior features

The Sierra lineup is characterized by a rugged yet refined appearance, with chiseled bodywork complemented by details such as chrome bumpers (Sierra Denali features body-color bumpers). Additional elements, including flared rear fenders and premium headlamps, contribute to Sierra's refinements, while features such as large, grab-style door handles – designed for easy use with work gloves – reinforce the notion that it is a truck first and foremost.

Highlights of Sierra's standard and available exterior features include:

• Heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors including auto-dimming, integrated signal indicators and curb-tilt feature are standard on Denali and SLT and included on SLE with the available All Terrain package

• Heated, power-adjustable vertical camper-style outside mirrors are available on SLE, XFE and SLT. Manual-folding camper-style mirrors are available on Work Truck

• EZ-Lift tailgate (spring-loaded) is standard on Denali and available on Work Truck, SLE, XFE and SLT models

• Locking tailgate is standard on Denali and available on Work Truck, SLE, XFE and SLT models

• A range of 17-inch, 18-inch and 20-inch wheels is offered. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard on WT, SL and SLE. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard on SLT and 20-inch wheels are available on SLE and SLT

• Twenty- inch wheels with a specific chrome design are standard on Denali

• Dealer-installed accessory wheels include 20- and 22-inch designs

• Chrome Essentials package is available on SLE and SLT models. It includes a polished exhaust tip, chrome tubular assist steps, chrome recovery hooks, chrome door handles, chrome mirror caps and chrome-clad aluminum wheels.

• Power Tech package is available on SLE and includes the Vortec 5.3L V-8, heavy-duty locking rear differential, trailering package, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth phone connectivity, front fog lamps, EZ-Lift tailgate, 17-inch aluminum wheels, six-way power driver's seat and more.

• Work Truck Plus package is available on Work Truck extended cab or regular cab models. Content includes 17-inch chrome-styled wheels, chrome grille surround, fog lamps and, on 2WD models, frame-mounted recovery hooks.

• All Terrain package is available on SLE and SLT extended cab/standard box and crew cab models. Content includes 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels and on/off-road tires, Z71 suspension package, fog lamps, body-color outside mirrors and door handles, 'All Terrain' identification on the exterior, sill plates and floor mats, Rancho front and rear shocks, specific four-bar grille with chrome surround and 'mechanical brushed aluminum' accents on the instrument panel, center console and switch trim plates.

Sierra's exterior color choices include Sonoma Metallic, Heritage Blue Metallic, Onyx Black, Mocha Steel Metallic, Stealth Grey Metallic, Steel Grey Metallic, Summit White, Fire Red, Quicksilver Metallic and White Diamond Tricoat.

A wide range of dealer-installed accessories is available for Sierra 1500, including tonneau covers, assist steps, chrome packages, bed liners, utility racks and more.

Sierra interior standard and available features

Sierra features two interiors to meet the diverse needs of customers. The Work Truck, SL and SLE trim levels feature the 'pure pickup' interior, while Denali and SLT models feature the luxury-inspired interior similar to GMC's full-size SUVs.

Work Truck, SL and SLE trim levels feature larger controls and door handles that are easier to use with gloves. A large-capacity, double glove box is part of the instrument panel. Denali and SLT models feature a luxury-inspired interior with a unique instrument panel, door panels, large-capacity center console that offers 20.1 liters of undivided storage and other distinct trim.

A stadium-style rear seat with a 60/40-split design and folding center armrest is standard on crew cab models and available on extended cab models. It can be easily folded up with one hand, without using a release handle, to provide an uninterrupted load floor. Alternatively, either section of the split seat can be stowed independently, allowing room for both cargo and a rear-seat passenger.

Rear access doors on the extended cab open 170 degrees for easy entry to the rear seat/storage area of extended cab models. Power-operated rear side windows lower completely into the 170-degree access doors, providing 100-percent openness on SLE and SLT models.

Additional interior features include:

• A range of CD/DVD/MP3-ca p able audio systems is available on all models

• Navigation radio with MP3-compatible CD/DVD player and USB port is available on Denali and SLT models

• Bose premium speaker system with subwoofer mounted in the center console is standard on Denali and available on SLT, SLE and XFE

• Rear-seat entertainment system is available on Denali and SLT crew cab and includes rear-seat DVD player with LCD display, remote control and two sets of wireless headphones

• SiriusXM Satellite Radio is standard on SL, SLE, XFE, SLT and Denali models and available on Work Truck. SiriusXM NavTraffic feature is available on SLE, XFE, SLT and Denali

• Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity is standard on Denali and SLT models and available on Work Truck, SL and SLE models

• Power-adjustable pedals are standard on Denali and available on SLE, XFE and SLT models

• Two auxiliary 12-volt power outlets are standard on all models and mounted on the instrument panel

• Remote vehicle starter system is standard on Denali and SLT and available on SLE and XFE models

• Leather-appointed heated and cooled front seats are standard on Denali and available on SLT

• Rear 60/40-split folding bench seat is standard on crew cab models

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard on SLE, XFE and SLT models and available on Work Truck and SL (WT and SL with Bluetooth optional)

• Leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel is standard on Denali models

• Power-operated sunroof is available on Denali and SLT crew cab

• Power-operated rear sliding window is available on SLE, XFE, SLT and Denali models

• Interior trim colors include: Ebony, Very Dark Cashmere/Light Cashmere, Very Dark Cashmere/Light Cashmere, Dark Titanium/Light Titanium and Dark Titanium. Sierra Denali is offered in Ebony and an exclusive Cocoa/Light Cashmere combination.

Sierra powertrains

Sierra models are powered by an efficient lineup of engines, led by Vortec small-block V-8s. Advanced technologies such as Active Fuel Management (AFM) and variable valve timing (VVT) optimize performance and efficiency. Three FlexFuel engines are available and partnered with fuel-saving AFM, giving customers the choice of powering their truck with E85 ethanol, gasoline or a combination of both fuels.

Sierra 1500's engine offerings include:

• 4.3L V-6 (LU3), rated at 195 hp (145 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (351 Nm).

• 4.8L V-8 (L20), E85-capable with iron block; rated at 302 hp (225 kW) and 305 lb.-ft. of torque (412 Nm).

• 5.3L FlexFuel V-8 (LMG), E85-capable with iron block and Active Fuel Management, rated at 315 hp (235 kW) and 335 lb.-ft. of torque (452 Nm).

• 5.3L FlexFuel V-8 (LC9), E85-capable with aluminum block and Active Fuel Management, rated at 315 hp (235 kW) and 335 lb.-ft. of torque (452 Nm).

• 6.2L V-8 (L9H), with E85 FlexFuel capability, an aluminum block and variable valve timing, rated at 403 hp (300 kW) and 417 lb.-ft. of torque (565 Nm). This engine is available in crew cab and extended cab models and is standard in Sierra Denali.

Sierra chassis and suspension

Built on GM's full-size truck platform, the Sierra incorporates features such as a fully boxed frame – with a hydroformed front section – coil-over-shock front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. Wide front and rear tracks – 68.1 inches (1,732 mm) front/67 inches (1,702 mm) rear – enhance handling and vehicle stability for a more confident road feel, while Sierra's stiff frame reduces vibrations transmitted to the passenger cabin. The strength and accuracy of the fully boxed frame also enable precise mounting and tuning of chassis and suspension components.

Sierra is offered with five suspension systems, each tailored to suit specific driving requirements:

• Z83 – Delivers a solid, smooth ride with monotube front shocks and twin-tube rear shocks

• Z85 – Designed for enhanced handling and trailer towing, with monotube front and rear shocks

• Z71 – Delivers enhanced off-road capability; features specific monotube front and rear shocks

• Z60 – Designed for maximum street performance and offered with 20-inch wheels, as well as monotube front and rear shocks

• NHT – Designed for maximum towing capacity; it includes monotube rear shocks, 17-inch wheels and off-road tires, and high-capacity rear springs.

Additional chassis and suspension details include:

• A coil-over-shock front suspension delivers linear handling characteristics on all road surfaces

• A rack-and-pinion steering system provides precise control and strong on-center feel

• A Hotchkiss-type rear suspension provides superior isolation and ride with a splayed arrangement for the shock absorbers

• Four-channel ABS is standard on all models and is linked to the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system to help mitigate the occurrence of rollover events

• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system is standard on all models and includes electronic trailer sway control and hill start assist

• Autotrac electronic transfer case is standard on SLE and SLT with 4WD.

• An automatic locking rear differential is standard on XFE, SLT and Denali models and available on Work Truck, SL and SLE models

• Integrated trailer brake controller is available on all models (except when equipped with the 4.3L engine).

The Z71 suspension is available on SLE and SLT models. Content includes high-pressure, gas-charged monotube shocks, on/off-road tires, off-road jounce bumpers, front recovery hooks (2WD models), a skid plate and high-capacity air cleaner.

The NHT enhanced trailering packageis available on SLE and SLT extended cab and crew cab models. Content includes the 6.2L V-8 engine, heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential, Z85 suspension, 9.5-inch rear axle, 3.73 axle ratio, 17-inch aluminum wheels and on/off-road tires and four-wheel disc brakes.

Sierra safety and crash-avoidance features

Sierra has a strong body structure to absorb crash energy and provide a protective 'safety cage' around occupants. Standard head curtain side air bags with rollover protection are featured for all seating rows, while standard seat-mounted side-impact air bags for driver and right-front passenger provide thorax and pelvic protection. The roof-mounted head curtain air bags include design features that provide increased rollover protection and occupant containment.

Additional safety features include:

• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system helps reduce the risk of rollover crashes by keeping the vehicle in the driver's intended path by applying throttle, braking or a combination of both

• Available rearview camera system (standard on Denali) is designed to provide the driver with a view of people or objects in the rearward path of the vehicle

• Ultrasonic rear parking assist is standard on Denali

• Standard high-capacity brake system with four-channel ABS featuring smooth, quiet operation, longer pad life and more resistance to brake pulsation

• Front-seat safety belt pretensioners minimize forward movement during a collision, and are standard on the front safety belts. Load-limiting retractors cinch the belt more tightly

• Standard tire pressure monitoring system

• Standard remote keyless entry (RKE) system provides a second function for the red panic button. Drivers can use it to locate their vehicle without sounding the panic alarm.

OnStar details

Six months of OnStar Directions and Connections service is standard on Sierra. OnStar is the global leading provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology.

OnStar's RemoteLink Mobile App allows smartphone users to control vehicle functions, access vehicle information and send directions directly to the vehicle. A new, opt-in service called FamilyLink allows subscribers to stay connected to loved ones by checking the location of their vehicle online or by signing up for vehicle location alerts.

Sierra also features new OnStar button icons. Drivers will notice an updated look for the Hands-Free Calling button, blue OnStar button and red Emergency button.

by GMC

by GMC


Pro Grade Protection Comes to 2013 Sierra Owners

New maintenance program key component of industry's best pickup coverage

GMC pickups are engineered to last, and now, 2013 Sierra 1500 ½-ton pickup truck owners will receive a higher level of coverage that includes standard scheduled maintenance. It's known as Pro Grade Protection.

Pro Grade Protection covers standard scheduled maintenance costs for two years or 24,000 miles – whichever comes first – for all 2013 GMC Sierra 1500s sold between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28, 2013.

Combined with the Sierra 1500's five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and three-year/36,000-mile bumper to bumper warranty – whichever comes first – Pro Grade Protection delivers the best pickup coverage in the industry.

Coverage is included in the price of the vehicle. Pro Grade Protection includes regularly scheduled oil changes, oil filter replacements, tire rotations and multi-point vehicle inspections. Customers will be eligible whether they lease or purchase and the coverage is completely transferable between owners. See full details of the program here.

'Pickup owners tend to keep their vehicles longer than most, so it's essential that GMC holds the Sierra to the highest standards possible,' said Brian Sweeney, vice president of GMC Sales and Service. 'We want potential customers to know that our Professional Grade trucks come with class-leading coverage and an engaged dealership service experience.'

Retail Sierra 1500 sales were up 41 percent year-over-year in January, while total sales were up 39 percent. Sales all Sierra models – including 2500HD ¾-ton and 3500HD 1-ton were up 38 percent retail and 35 percent total, enough growth for Sierra's best January since 2008.

'A branded program like Pro Grade Protection is going to be outstanding for our dealer network,' said Mike Bowsher, co-chairman of the national dealer council for Buick & GMC. 'It not only allows owners to experience our customer-focused service departments, but gives them the opportunity to see the newest vehicles in our showrooms. There's no better retention tool for us than this.'

by GMC

by GMC


Chevrolet Trucks: Building America for 95 years

It started with a simple idea – a few car chassis fitted with hand-built beds to help carry materials around a booming car factory. Before long, millions of Chevrolet pickups were woven into the fabric of a fast-growing country. Chevy trucks tackled the toughest jobs on farms and in the fields, hauled tools and lumber to the burgeoning suburbs and carried families and friends into the wilds for well-earned vacations.

'The legacy that Chevrolet trucks have built over the last 95 years is important to protect,' said Don Johnson, Chevrolet vice president of Sales and Service. 'The best way for us to do that is by delivering the capability and technology our customers have grown to expect, in both our current trucks and in our next generation of full-size pickups.'

Here are some Chevy truck highlights:

1918 Chevrolet Four-Ninety Half-Ton Light Delivery 'Cowl Chassis'

Although there are indications that some Four-Ninety based trucks were built for internal use in 1916, and that a few even earlier chassis may have been converted to ambulances and sent to France in 1914, the first customer chassis appears to have been built in Flint, Mich., on Nov. 22, 1916, and shipped from the factory on Dec. 2 that year.

Two four-cylinder models marked Chevrolet's formal entry into the truck market for the 1918 model year. Both were cowl chassis units that came from the factory with only frontal sheet metal. It was customary at the time for buyers to obtain a wooden cab and cargo box or panel van body to suit their purposes.

Priced at $595, the half-ton Light Delivery cowl chassis was essentially a bodyless Chevrolet Four Ninety car equipped with stronger rear springs. Mounted with a pickup box or panel body, it provided an agile and economical light-delivery truck for small businesses popping up across America in the boom following the First World War.

The second model, a 1-ton capacity 1918 Chevrolet 'Model T' (presumably for 'Truck') cost $1,125 without a body. It was based on the FA-series car, and was built on a truck frame that was longer and stronger than the half-ton model. A 37-horsepower engine gave the larger truck the power to haul heavier loads at a governor-limited top speed of 25 mph.

1930 Chevrolet Pickup

The simple cowl chassis models were replaced in the 1930s by factory-built pickups, which initially came with roadster and closed bodies. Chevrolet bought the Martin-Parry body company in 1930 and quickly began selling steel-body half-ton pickups complete with a factory-installed bed.

At the heart of these new pickups was a new Chevy inline six-cylinder engine, which soon earned names like 'Cast Iron Wonder' and 'Stovebolt' for its rugged design. First produced in late 1928, the new engine had a modern overhead-valve design. Inline six-cylinder engines became a mainstay in Chevrolet cars and trucks for decades to come.

By the mid-1930s, half-ton pickups with factory-installed steel boxes had become the lifeblood of the truck market, with brands like Mack, Studebaker, Reo, and International competing with Chevy, GMC, Ford and Dodge.

1937 Chevrolet Half-Ton Pickup

In the mid-1930s, as the U.S. economy began to recover from the Great Depression, Chevrolet pushed for leadership in a reviving truck market with what were designed to be some of the strongest, most innovative models produced to that point.

For 1937, Chevrolet introduced new trucks with streamlined styling that many still consider the best designs of the era. The '37 also featured a sturdier body and a larger and more powerful 78-horsepower engine, among other improvements.

A 1937 Chevrolet half-ton pickup was sent on a 10,245-mile drive around the United States that was monitored by the American Automobile Association (AAA). Carrying a 1,060 lb. load, the truck averaged 20.74 miles per gallon.

1947 Chevrolet Advance-Design Half-Ton Pickup

In early 1947, Chevrolet introduced its Advance-Design trucks, the first completely redesigned GM vehicles to appear following World War II. Owners of earlier pickup models had asked for a roomier, more comfortable cab with improved visibility and a wider pickup box. They got all of that and more.

Designers sought to make the truck's styling clean, brisk and attractive. Headlamps were now set wide apart in the front fenders and five horizontal bars made up the grille. The design was produced with few major changes from 1947 through 1953, and was then continued with a new frontal appearance into early 1955.

During the Advance-Design trucks' run, there was a measurable shift among Chevrolet customers to trucks. Prior to World War II, the production ratio of the brand's cars to trucks had been about 4:1. By 1950 – the year Chevrolet became the first brand to sell more than 2 million vehicles in a single year – the ratio of cars to trucks was closer to 2.5:1.

1955 Chevrolet Task Force Pickup

By the mid-1950s, the post-World-War II boom was under way, and customers were looking for style and performance even in pickup trucks. In mid-1955, Chevrolet introduced the all-new Task Force trucks, which shared design language with the 1955 Bel Air, and also offered the new small-block Chevy V8 as an option.

Also new to the 1955 truck line was the Cameo Carrier, a high-styled gentleman's pickup more at home in a trendy suburban California bungalow driveway than on a farm or in a factory yard. The Cameo Carrier was only produced through 1958, but it set the stage for new generations of well-equipped personal use pickups, including the El Camino, Avalanche, and Silverado crew cab.

A major engineering advance with tremendous future implications was announced for 1957, when a factory-installed 4-wheel-drive system became available for the first time on select models.

Chevrolet continued to offer the Task Force trucks with annual updates through 1959. During 1958, a new slab-sided Fleetside box option provided an alternative to Chevrolet's traditional step-side pickup box.

1959 Chevrolet El Camino

The original El Camino introduced for 1959 combined the dramatically finned styling of that period's Chevrolet cars with half-ton pickup utility. But the excitement was short-lived. After 1960, the El Camino went on a three-year hiatus.

Chevrolet revived the El Camino 'personal pickup' concept for 1964, with a new version based on that year's new mid-size Chevrolet Chevelle. During the 'muscle car' era that followed, El Camino buyers could order their truck with a Chevrolet high-performance big-block V-8 powertrain, creating a sport pickup that could 'haul' in more ways than one. By 1968, a complete Super Sport package was available.

The Chevelle El Camino enjoyed a devoted following and was produced through two more styling generations (1968-1972 and 1973-1977). For 1978, the El Camino was successfully transitioned to that year's new, smaller Malibu platform. The final El Caminos were 1987 models.

1961 Corvair Pickup

Although there had been a number of small pickups prior to the 1960s, the compact car boom that kicked off the decade brought with it a new crop of forward control trucks, including the Corvair 95. With its unitized body structure and rear-mounted engine, the 95 offered a lot of cargo space in a compact maneuverable package. The Rampside model offered a side gate on the right side of the vehicle, which allowed easy access to the low load floor at the front of the bed. Although clever in design, the Corvair 95 never caught on in the showroom, and in the final model year of 1964, only 851 were sold.

1967 Chevrolet C-10 with Custom Sport Truck Package

It took only one glance at any of the 35 Chevrolet C/K models for 1967 to see that Chevy trucks had a new look that year. The exterior profile, which would characterize Chevrolet C/K models through 1972, featured a lower-silhouette cab and large, rounded wheel openings. The new chassis had coil springs front and rear.

A new-for-1967 Custom Sport Truck package was a trend-setting option that included deluxe, car-like upgrades inside and out. The package could even be ordered in combination with bucket seats.

By 1967, the Federal Interstate Highway System was giving Americans unprecedented access to the nation's natural wonders and recreational areas. Customers who enjoyed such pursuits appreciated the small-block and big-block V-8 power choices that gave Chevrolet trucks the torque needed to pull trailers up grades, and horsepower to cruise comfortably with a camper at Interstate speeds.

1972 Chevy LUV

In spring of 1972, Chevrolet started selling the LUV pickup on costal markets. Built by GM partner Isuzu, the LUV featured a 75-horsepower four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission. Although the specs were modest, the LUV was a fully functioning pickup, with a ladder-style frame, a six-foot bed, and a payload of 1,100 pounds, plus room for two passengers. Within a few years, soaring gas prices would make compact pickups like the Chevy LUV a major factor in the U.S. truck market, and it wasn't long before Chevrolet started work on a home-grown small truck.

1982 Chevrolet S-10

The Chevrolet S-10 was the first domestically produced compact pickup, larger than the imported Chevy LUV but smaller than the full size C/K model. An 82-horsepower four-cylinder engine was standard, with an available 110-horsepower V6 – the only one in the class. Properly equipped, the S-10 could haul 1,500 pounds, and tow 4,000. The roomy cab and high levels of standard and optional equipment gave the S-10 a broader appeal than that of earlier, bare-bones small trucks, and it quickly became a mainstay of the Chevrolet lineup, appealing to everyone from young customers looking for a first set of wheels to businesses seeking a rugged work truck.

1988 Chevrolet Pickups

Pickup trucks had been slowly migrating from the worksite to the suburbs, and the 1988 Chevrolet C/K pickup accelerated that trend, bringing the aerodynamics, electronics and materials that had revolutionized the automobile over the past decade to the full-size pickup. Extensively tested to make sure it met the high bar for dependability set by previous Chevy pickups, the new truck also featured advanced aerodynamics for improved fuel economy, including a narrower cab for lower drag, flush side glass, and a sleek front end with integrated lamps.

A full range of powertrains was offered, from a 4.3-liter V6 through a 6.2-liter diesel V8. To enhance durability, the trucks featured extensive use of galvanized steel for corrosion resistance, and a full welded frame with a boxed front section for strength and rigidity. Civilized driving characteristics and styling moved full-size pickups closer to being the family vehicles they are today.

1999 Chevrolet Silverado

Chevrolet's all-new 1999 full-size pickups were the first to carry the Silverado nameplate. The new trucks resulted from the most intensive development program yet undertaken by General Motors and they arrived just in time for a boom in truck sales. The styling of the new Silverado pickups built on the purposeful design that characterized the preceding C/K pickups. Interiors had all the comfort and convenience features personal-use customers were starting to expect. Power came from a new generation of V8 engines.

2004 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

The 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche pioneered the idea of a light-duty pickup that could comfortably accommodate the family, and the 2004 Silverado took this idea and ran with it. In less than eight years, light-duty crew cabs would dominate the full-size pickup market, accounting for more than two-thirds of all sales, and transforming pickups into a true multi-purpose vehicle for both work and family. Available creature comforts included dual-zone climate control, Bose sound systems, a rear-seat DVD player, OnStar and XM radio. Even with the creature comforts, Silverado maintained the Chevy truck capability.

2007 Silverado

The all-new 2007 Silverado provided significant improvements in performance and fuel economy, while strengthening the capability and dependability Chevy pickups were known for. It featured a new fully boxed frame, coil-over-shock front suspension, and rack-and-pinion steering for improved ride and handling, while new Gen IV small-block 5.3L and 6.0L V-8 engines could deactivate four of the eight cylinders when not needed to save fuel. Safety advances included StabiliTrak electronic stability control and head-curtain side airbags for enhanced occupant protection.

2013 Chevrolet Colorado

Just as full-size pickups have become the lifeblood of the American economy, midsize pickups are important vehicles for businesses and families in many countries outside the United States. Chevrolet's new global mid-size Colorado pickup is designed to help expand the Chevrolet brand into many of the world's fastest-growing markets.

Developed under the direction of a truck-savvy team from GM do Brasil, the inaugural version of the global Colorado was launched in Thailand, the world's largest market for midsize pickups, in November, 2011. Over the next several years, Colorado will be introduced into many global markets, including the United States, where it will offer a more fuel efficient alternative for customers who don't need all of the capability of a full-size pickup.

by GM

by GMC


NEW SIERRA MARKS 111 YEARS OF GMC PICKUP HERITAGE PHOTO HISTORY SHOWS EVOLUTION OF TRUCK DESIGN THROUGH 12 DECADES

• New Sierra Marks 111 Years of GMC Pickup Heritage

• Photo history shows evolution of truck design through 12 decades

DETROIT - The all-new 2014 GMC Sierra fullsize pickup will be the latest in a bloodline that stretches back over a century. The first truck to wear a GMC badge debuted in 1912, while a predecessor from the Max Grabowsky's Rapid Motor Vehicle Co. was the first commercial truck operated in the City of Detroit 10 years earlier.

Here's a list of highlights by decade, accompanied by a corresponding photo of each.

• 1900s: The first Rapid truck - little more than a seat, an engine cover and a frame - was delivered in 1902.

• 1910s: The GMC name takes its place on a truck grille for the first time in 1912 and the mix of trucks offered had either upright front ends or curved 'French' fronts.

• 1920s: 1927 was a milestone for design features with more stylized fenders, headlights attached to the radiator, and the first chrome-plated radiator surround.

• 1930s: Streamlining in the '30s added sloped grilles, more paint color options and passenger cabs inspired by car design trends, which helped expand the truck market.

• 1940s: Following the war, GMCs of the late '40s featured fully integrated headlights for the first time, as well as wider, lower, and bolder grilles.

• 1950s: Cars again influenced truck design in the '50s, resulting in more safety, comfort and performance. 1955 highlights were hooded headlights and panoramic glass.

• 1960s: The first GMC pickup with a full-width hood debuted in 1960. Other design cues included 'jet pod' grilles at the front and a pinched-waist body crease on each side. - 1970s: Padded materials replaced many metal interior surfaces in the '70s. Heavy duty models offered a dual rear axle for the first time and the Crew Cab debuted. - 1980s: In 1987, the Sierra name became standard for all full-size pickups with the introduction of a new, more aerodynamic generation of GMC trucks. - 1990s: The '90s brought the first rear-hinged three-door Extended Cab model. In 1999, new generation of truck introduced the first use of frame hydroforming. - 2000s: The new millennium brought the 'D' decade: The first Duramax diesel engine for Sierra HD added capability and the first Denali pickup set a luxury standard for trucks. - 2012: The new 2014 Sierra debuts on December 13.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, and is one of the industry's healthiest brands. Innovation and engineering excellence is built into all GMC vehicles and the brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC is the only manufacturer to offer three full-size hybrid trucks with the Yukon, Yukon Denali SUVs and the Sierra pickup. The Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful trucks in the market.

by GMC

by GMC