Written by GMC trucks
GMC trucks have been built by General Motors since 1912, and today the brand sells pickups and SUVs such as the Sierra, the Yukon and the electric Hummer EV. This guide covers the current GMC lineup, as well as the brand’s history and ownership and its biggest achievements.
GMC trucks at a Glance
Founded 1911–1912 General Motors Truck Company; GMC name from 1912
Roots Rapid Motor Vehicle Co. Founded by Max and Morris Grabowsky in Detroit
Headquarters Detroit Michigan, USA
Owner General Motors NYSE: GM
US sales 2025 652,394 A record for the second year in a row
Best-seller Sierra 348,222 sold in the US in 2025
GMC trucks Model Lineup
GMC trucks are sold mainly in North America and the Middle East, so the list below shows the core models in 2026, grouped by type. Most models come in several trims, especially the luxury Denali and the off-road AT4. In addition, a new-generation Sierra 1500 arrives at dealers in late 2026.
Pickups (4)
Midsize pickup
GMC Canyon
Gas Turbo four 4×4
The third-generation Canyon arrived for 2023 with a 2.7-liter turbo four producing 310 hp. It is built in Wentzville, Missouri, and it is also offered as the tough AT4X.
Full-size pickup
GMC Sierra 1500
Gas Diesel V8
The Sierra is GMC’s best-seller, and Sierra sales reached 348,222 in 2025. Meanwhile, an all-new 2027 Sierra 1500 with new V8 engines was revealed in June 2026.
Heavy-duty pickup
GMC Sierra HD
Gas Diesel Towing
The Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD are built for heavy towing, and they sold 118,066 in 2025. As a result, they made up about a third of all Sierra sales.
Electric pickup
GMC Sierra EV
Electric All-wheel drive
The Sierra EV is GMC’s electric full-size pickup, while deliveries began in 2024. The Denali Edition 1 offers up to 440 miles of range and 754 hp.
SUVs (4)
Compact SUV
GMC Terrain
Gas Turbo four
When the third-generation Terrain arrived for 2025, production began in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. In addition, it is GMC’s smallest model.
Three-row SUV
GMC Acadia
Gas Turbo four
The third-generation Acadia arrived for 2024, and it grew larger than before. It is built in Lansing, Michigan, and its 2.5-liter turbo makes 328 hp.
Full-size SUV
GMC Yukon
Gas Diesel V8
The Yukon has been GMC’s full-size SUV since 1992, and it was refreshed for 2025. It is built in Arlington, Texas, while the longer Yukon XL adds more space.
Electric pickup and SUV
GMC Hummer EV
Electric CrabWalk
In 2021 the Hummer EV revived the Hummer name, so it is now a GMC model. It is built at Factory Zero in Detroit, and its CrabWalk mode lets it drive diagonally.
What Are GMC trucks?
GMC trucks come from General Motors, and their roots go back to the Grabowsky brothers’ Rapid Motor Vehicle Company in Detroit. After GM founder William Durant bought Rapid and Reliance, GM formed the General Motors Truck Company in 1911, and then in 1912 the GMC name replaced the older brands.
GMC built about 600,000 military trucks in the Second World War, especially the famous CCKW “Jimmy”. Later, the brand moved from commercial trucks toward pickups and SUVs for private buyers, while the Denali trim launched in 1999 and made GMC a premium brand.
Today GMC trucks are sold alongside Chevrolet models, but they are positioned as more upmarket. In 2025 GMC sold a record 652,394 vehicles in the US, so it was its second record year in a row. In addition, Denali models now make up about a third of its retail sales.
GMC trucks History
GMC trucks have more than a century of history, from early Detroit trucks to electric supertrucks.
- 1902 First, the Grabowsky brothers rename their firm the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company.
- 1909 William Durant’s General Motors then takes control of Rapid.
- 1911 GM forms the General Motors Truck Company, which absorbs Rapid and Reliance.
- 1912 A year later, the GMC name replaces the Rapid and Reliance brands.
- 1916 Meanwhile, a GMC truck drives from Seattle to New York in 30 days.
- 1941 Production of the CCKW military truck begins, and about 600,000 GMC trucks serve in the war.
- 1968 Later, the Sierra name first appears.
- 1973 Then the front-wheel-drive GMC Motorhome goes on sale.
- 1991 The turbocharged Syclone becomes the world’s fastest stock pickup.
- 1992 The Yukon name arrives, while the Typhoon SUV goes on sale.
- 1999 Finally, the Yukon Denali introduces the Denali trim level.
- 2006 Meanwhile, the first Acadia debuts as GMC’s first crossover SUV.
- 2020 GMC reveals the electric Hummer EV, which brings back the Hummer name.
- 2024 Sierra EV deliveries begin, and Denali passes 2 million sales.
- 2025 As a result of strong demand, GMC sells a record 652,394 vehicles in the US.
- 2026 Then the all-new 2027 Sierra 1500 is revealed in June.
Iconic GMC Models
These three vehicles shaped the reputation of GMC trucks, from wartime workhorse to luxury SUV.
1941–1945
GMC CCKW
Military truck 6×6
The CCKW “Deuce and a Half” was the US Army’s main truck in the Second World War. About 572,500 were built, so it made up about 70% of America’s 2½-ton trucks.
1991
GMC Syclone
Turbo V6 Sport pickup
The Syclone had a 280 hp turbocharged V6, and it reached 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. It was also the first production truck with four-wheel ABS, while only 2,995 were built.
1999
GMC Yukon Denali
Luxury SUV First Denali
The first Yukon Denali introduced GMC’s Denali trim level, which is named after North America’s tallest peak. Since then, more than 2 million Denali models have been sold.
Who Owns GMC trucks?
GMC is a brand of General Motors, which is listed in New York. It shares platforms, engines and factories with Chevrolet, while it is sold through Buick-GMC dealers. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Parent company General Motors Detroit, Michigan · NYSE: GM
This page GMC Detroit, Michigan · Denali, AT4 and Hummer EV
Trim level Denali Luxury versions, since 1999
Trim level AT4 and AT4X Off-road versions, since 2019
Model line Hummer EV Electric pickup and SUV, since 2021
Plant Factory Zero, Detroit Builds the Hummer EV and Sierra EV
Sister brands
GMC shares most of its engineering with other General Motors brands, so many GMCs have Chevrolet twins.
- Chevrolet (Silverado, Tahoe and Colorado are GMC’s twins)
- Cadillac (GM’s luxury brand)
- Buick (sold through the same dealers)
In addition, GMC trucks are built in Flint, Fort Wayne, Wentzville, Arlington and Lansing in the US, as well as in Oshawa, Canada, and in Silao and San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
Former names
- Rapid and Reliance (to 1912) The Detroit truck makers that GM merged to create GMC.
- GMC Truck & Coach Division (1943–1998) GMC’s former name, when it also built buses.
GMC trucks Accomplishments
The record of GMC trucks rests on tough pickups, a huge wartime effort and the success of its Denali luxury models.
652,394
US sales in 2025
It was a record for GMC, so it was the second record year in a row.
348,222
Sierras sold in 2025
As a result, the Sierra made up more than half of GMC’s sales.
2 million
Denali models sold
Denali passed 2 million US sales by the end of 2024, while it makes up about a third of GMC retail sales.
600,000
Wartime trucks
During the war, GMC built about 600,000 trucks for the US military in the Second World War.
70%
Of US 2½-ton trucks
In fact, the CCKW made up about 70% of America’s 2½-ton trucks in the war.
30 days
Coast to coast in 1916
A GMC truck drove from Seattle to New York in 1916, which was a remarkable trip at the time.
440 miles
Sierra EV range
Meanwhile, the Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 offers up to 440 miles of range.
1991
Fastest stock pickup
When it was new, the Syclone was called the world’s fastest stock production pickup.
Talk GMC With Other Owners
GMC owners have plenty to share, whether it is a high-mileage Sierra or a new Hummer EV. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a GMC community space where owners and enthusiasts can compare models, share maintenance tips and plan meetups.
- Sierra and towing
- Denali ownership
- Off-road AT4 builds
- Hummer EV and Sierra EV
- Maintenance and repairs
- Buying used
- Classic GMC trucks
- GMC meets and events
GMC trucks FAQ
What does GMC stand for?
GMC stands for General Motors Truck Company, the name GM used from 1911. Later, it became the GMC Truck & Coach Division.
Who owns GMC?
Since 1911, GMC has been owned by General Motors, the Detroit car maker that also owns Chevrolet, Cadillac and Buick.
What is the difference between GMC and Chevrolet?
In practice, GMC and Chevrolet share most of their trucks and SUVs. However, GMC is positioned as more upmarket, with different styling, more standard features and Denali luxury versions.
What does Denali mean?
Denali is GMC’s luxury trim level, named after the tallest mountain in North America. It began with the 1999 Yukon Denali.
Where are GMC trucks made?
GMC trucks are built in the US (Flint, Fort Wayne, Wentzville, Arlington, Lansing and Detroit), in Oshawa, Canada, and in Silao and San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
What is the best-selling GMC?
The Sierra pickup is GMC’s best-seller, with 348,222 sold in the US in 2025, more than half of the brand’s total.
Does GMC make electric trucks?
Yes. GMC sells the Sierra EV pickup and the Hummer EV pickup and SUV, both built at Factory Zero in Detroit.
Is there a new GMC Sierra?
Yes. The all-new 2027 Sierra 1500 was revealed in June 2026, and it reaches dealers before the end of 2026 with new V8 engines.
Explore More Manufacturers
Compare GMC trucks with its sister brands and its biggest rivals.
Photo credits
- 2025 GMC Terrain Elevation AWD compact SUV: Deathpallie325, CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 GMC Acadia Denali three-row SUV: Deathpallie325, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 GMC Yukon Denali SUVs at a…: Wlb5V, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X midsize pickup: HJUdall, CC0, cropped and resized.
- 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate pickup: HJUdall, CC0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali heavy-duty pickup: deathpallie325, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali electric pickup: Deathpallie325, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 GMC Hummer EV 3X SUV: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- GMC CCKW two-and-a-half-ton military truck: Alf van Beem, CC0, cropped and resized.
- GMC Syclone turbocharged sport pickup at Radwood…: TKOIII, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- First GMC Yukon Denali (1998-1999) in Fort…: IFCAR, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- Header image: ShortlineBuickGMC, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.