Win marks brand three-peat for the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Award
DETROIT – GMC today was recognized as the Most Refined Brand in the 2016 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards. It is the third consecutive year the brand has received this award.
Brand Image Award winners are based on consumer automotive perception data from Kelley Blue Book Strategic Insights’ Brand Watch study. Brand Watch is an online brand and model perception tracking study tapping into more than 12,000 in-market new-vehicle shoppers annually on Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. The comprehensive study provides insight on how shoppers identify important factors influencing their purchase decision and captures brand/model familiarity and loyalty among new-vehicle shoppers.
Driven by its luxury-focused Denali sub-brand, GMC received high ratings for comfort, interior layout, technology, prestige and sophistication. In previous years, Kelley Blue Book has praised Denali vehicles for offering plush features while maintaining a more rugged persona than offered by most luxury automakers.
“Premium quality and exterior styling are the top two reasons customers choose GMC vehicles,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC. “Unprecedented refinement and attention to detail provide our customers with a truly Professional Grade experience.”
More than 850,000 GMC Denali vehicles have been sold since the introduction of the 1999 GMC Yukon Denali. The sub-brand accounted for 23 percent of GMC retail sales in 2015, outselling the entire product lines of several premium automakers such as Land Rover, Jaguar and Porsche.
DETROIT – The collaborative energy inside the Buick design studio shows how proven artistic methods and cutting-edge technology work together to create beautiful vehicles.
Interior designers of the award-winning Buick Avista were tasked with creating an interior of equal beauty to the exterior. While sketching and refining the door in digital mockups they reached the point where they wanted to see it in physical form. They gave the detailed sketch to the clay sculptors and left the next step in their hands. For a designer, the transition from 2D to 3D is the moment of truth.
“We are really fortunate to work with such a talented team of sculptors,” said Aaron Stich, creative designer for Buick. “They brought the design to life in a way we never could have imagined; it was absolutely inspiring to see how they interpreted what we had done with pen and paper. This is what it’s like in the Buick studio right now, there’s so much energy, and everyone is itching to contribute. It’s fueling the creative renaissance of the brand.”
Mark Dybis, creative sculptor, remembers his initial reaction when seeing the drawing of the door and quips that it reminded him of an M.C. Escher artwork. Dybis, who has spent the majority of his decade long career as an automotive sculptor in the Buick studios explained the lofty nature of making this proposed door design work.
“It was an amazing door design, but it was longer than we’re used to, so we knew we’d have to pay special attention to the curved lines to make the physical model look just as graceful as it did on the paper,” Dybis explains. “Our job is to bring the designers’ vision to life, and we know there are things that have to be considered when transitioning a drawing into the tangible world. In the end, I appreciate that a modern-looking car like the Avista, and all Buicks, are styled with time-honored methods like hand drawing and sculpting.”
The News Ahead of its debut at the New York International Auto Show, GMC today introduced the 2017 GMC Terrain Nightfall Edition – a stylized special edition combining blacked-out exterior details and wheels, with popular technologies such as IntelliLink with available 4G LTE connectivity and Wi-Fi hotspot.
It joins the Canyon Nightfall Edition and the all-new Sierra All Terrain X as the latest GMC vehicle to offer an exclusive, personalized appearance with the Terrain’s premium features and refinement.
Product Details The Terrain Nightfall offers an edgy appearance with 18-inch machine-faced aluminum wheels and gloss black spokes, a charcoal grill with a gloss black surround and accents, gloss black front and rear fascia accents, gloss black rear license plate surround trim, gloss black outside mirrors and black luggage rails. Terrain Nightfall Edition will be offered on SLE-2 and SLT models with four exterior color options: Summit White, Onyx Black, Graphite Gray Metallic and Crimson Red Metallic.
On Sale Fall 2016
Quotable “Building on its best year ever, Terrain continues to attract new and style-conscious customers to GMC,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing. “The new Terrain Nightfall Edition adds another great-looking and well-equipped choice for this popular SUV – one that will stand out in a crowd.”
About the Terrain Coming off a record sales year in 2015, the restyled 2016 Terrain is a capable crossover with room for five, premium features and technologies that allow passengers to stay connected wherever the road or trail takes them. It also offers an EPA-estimated 32 mpg highway (FWD models) with the standard 2.4L engine.
GMC IntelliLink with a 7-inch-diagonal color touchscreen is standard on the Terrain Nightfall Edition’s SLE-2 and SLT trims, along with available 4G LTE connectivity and Wi-Fi hotspot.
Spaciousness, Comfort and Family-Friendly Features Make Yukon the Best Option for Families
DETROIT – U.S. News & World Report today announced the 2016 GMC Yukon is the Best Large SUV for Families, praising the vehicle for its capability, features and comforts.
“The Yukon has the most family-friendly features in the class,” said Jamie Page Deaton, managing editor for U.S. News Best Cars. “The Apple CarPlay and in-car Wi-Fi are really cutting edge, standout features. The Yukon also won because it has such a high US News score – it gets really positive reviews not only for its space and comfort, but also its performance.”
Evaluation and methodology for the award included: overall sentiment of professional automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings, seating and cargo volume and the availability of family-friendly features.
“The GMC line-up is designed with the expectation of premium comforts, utility and unique features for any passenger,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing. “The Yukon is no exception as it is highly sought-after for its styling, spaciousness and family-oriented design. It is an exceptional honor to be named the best large SUV for families by U.S. News & World Report in a category so important to our customers and our brand.”
The Yukon also was recently ranked highest in its segment for the third-straight year in the 2016 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study.
GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.
In my previous two blogs, we covered two of the three components of what makes car buying difficult: price and trade in. The last piece of the puzzle is financing, which is the biggest variable in purchasing a vehicle and here’s why.
Every customer’s financing history is different. Maybe a customer has never bought a car before, has no credit history and needs a co-signer. Perhaps a customer had a very long, excellent credit history, then was laid off and forced to get a job at a significant salary reduction. Maybe a person has had steady employment for many years, recently got divorced and just doesn’t make a lot. The bottom line is that each person’s needs in regards to financing are different.
Whether you have a good financial history including paying off creditors on time & every month, your monthly income and how many outstanding balances you have, all affect your credit score. Make no mistake, a customer’s credit score is the biggest component of financing.
A car dealer’s relationship with its lenders is also important. If a Fort Worth dealer has been in business for many years, they probably have a good rapport with their financial lenders, often making it easier to get a customer approved. Dealers who work with several banks might be able to offer a wider variety of financial programs to accommodate the array of customers’ financial situations. This will benefit the the shopper immensely.
Want to know the foolproof way to get better financing? Make a larger down payment. The simple fact is the more money you can put down on a car or SUV, the less that will have to be financed. The less you have to finance, the easier it will be to get approved.
Here’s a good video to check out:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxTIUY2mlt0
But no matter what your situation, a good dealership treats every customer how they would like to be taken care of: with respect. Remember that the next time you’re car shopping.
Software upgrade available for consumers of compatible models
DETROIT – A software upgrade enabling Android AutoTM phone compatibility for 2016 GMC Canyon, Sierra and Yukon models equipped with the 8-inch IntelliLink system will now be offered in the U.S. The upgrade will be performed by GMC dealers at no cost to consumers.
Android Auto joins Apple CarPlay, which was unveiled last year, offering phone compatibility via the available IntelliLink screen.
“Providing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility ushers in a new era of staying connected in a convenient manner,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president, Buick and GMC.
GMC’s availability of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will continue to expand this year with the arrival of the all-new 2017 GMC Acadia when it arrives in showrooms this spring.
Each system builds off select features smartphone users rely on most. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes WhatsApp, Google Play Music, Spotify, and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at Android.com/auto.
Many system features can be controlled by voice commands through a button on the steering wheel, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Connectivity has become a central component of GMC’s interior technology features. Just last year, many GMC vehicles also began offering available OnStar 4G LTE connectivity and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The connection allows occupants to connect up to seven personal devices.
This new compatibility stands to make connectivity even stronger. Specific market availability for Android Auto can be found here. Current Apple CarPlay markets can be found here.
DETROIT – Building on GMC Sierra’s advanced powertrain technologies, new eAssist technology enhances its position as one of the industry’s most innovative and capable trucks, helping it achieve up to 13 percent greater city fuel economy – and solidifying its segment-best ranking for V8 efficiency.
Starting this spring, the new eAssist system is exclusively available on the already well-equipped 2016 Sierra 1500 SLT crew cab 2WD model with the SLT Premium Plus package. For 2016, we will monitor the market closely, producing 200 Sierra eAssist models for California, and adjust as appropriate moving forward.
“Innovative technology that enhances capability is at the core of everything we do at GMC and the new Sierra with eAssist takes it to a higher level,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing. “Its advantages are delivered in a compromise-free package that enables real-world fuel savings with premium content that provides a very high level of refinement, comfort and connectivity.”
Compared to a comparable Sierra 1500 with a 5.3L/eight-speed powertrain, the Sierra with eAssist offers an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city – a 2-mpg improvement – while highway fuel economy improves 2 mpg to 24 mpg. The combined estimate improves 2 mpg to 20 mpg. The 5.3L eAssist V8 has a GM estimated 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque.
The new eAssist powertrain is available in the Sierra SLT crew cab with the up-level Premium Plus package, a package that is also available with the standard 5.3L non- eAssist engine and the 6.2L V8 engine. The SLT Premium Plus package includes an extensive list of premium technologies and features:
High-performance LED headlamps, LED taillamps and thin-profile LED foglamps
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility (subject to their terms, privacy statements and data plan rates, as well as a compatible smartphone)
IntelliLink with navigation and 8-inch-diagonal color touch screen
Bose premium audio system
Wireless phone charging
Heated and vented leather-appointed seats
Heated steering wheel
Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Alert
IntelliBeam headlamps
Front and Rear Park Assist
Rear Vision camera.
The max trailering rating is 9,400 lbs. and the Eaton locking rear differential is standard, for sure-footed traction on slippery surfaces.
eAssist details The Sierra’s eAssist powertrain is a light electrification system leveraging General Motors’ latest electrification technologies. It builds on the advanced technologies of the 5.3L V8 engine, including direct injection, variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation), complementing them with a compact lithium-ion battery pack to enhance efficiency through:
Stop/Start capability: Additional fuel savings are achieved by turning off the engine when stopped at a stop light or heavy traffic and restarting the engine when the driver lifts his or her foot from the brake pedal
Electric power boost: The on-board electric motor provides a power boost during acceleration and passing, while enabling the engine to operate in four-cylinder mode for longer periods, for additional fuel savings
Regenerative braking: By using the on-board electric motor as a generator, the energy recovered while braking is converted to electricity to recharge the onboard battery system
Aero enhancements: A 6 percent improvement in aerodynamics contributes to fuel economy due to a standard soft tonneau cover and automatic grille shutters, which can close at speeds over 30 mph in order to further reduce drag and fuel consumption.
The eAssist system includes a 24-cell, air-cooled 0.45 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, located under the center console (or front bench seat). It adds only about 100 pounds to the vehicle’s curb weight.
DETROIT –The GMC brand gained five spots, moving up to No. 5 overall in the 2016 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study while the Yukon full-size SUV ranked highest in its segment.
The 2016 study tracks 2013 model year vehicles in the third year of ownership.
The Yukon also achieved the highest score in its segment in the 2014 and 2015 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Studies.
“The momentum continues at GMC with this recognition,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing. “We expect all of our vehicles to perform at the highest level every time a customer gets behind the wheel and this achievement validates our commitment to dependability and reliability.”
GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.
Drives to heart of midsize SUV segment with lower starting price, more features
DETROIT – GMC announced today pricing for the all-new 2017 Acadia will start at $29,995 when it goes on sale this spring.
The base price is $1,905 less than the 2016 base model and the new Acadia offers more standard equipment, including a new IntelliLink system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility (User interfaces are products of Apple and Google and their terms and privacy statements apply. Requires compatible smartphone and data plan rates apply.)
It also offers an expanded range of active safety features, including Front Pedestrian Braking, Safety Alert Seat and the Surround Vision camera system.
“Acadia takes GMC’s proven SUV experience to the heart of the midsize crossover segment with a compelling package of great design, the latest technologies and the brand’s signature capability,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing. “Building on the momentum of 2015’s record sales, it will introduce Acadia to a new generation of customers.”
The new Acadia is 700 pounds lighter than the 2016 model and offers three rows of seating on most models. The premium Acadia Denali returns, along with a new All Terrain model offering enhanced off-road capability.
The lineup and starting at MSRPs include:
Acadia SL FWD – $29,995
Acadia SLE FWD – $33,375
Acadia SLE AWD – $35,375
Acadia SLT FWD – $39,275
Acadia SLT AWD – $42,375
Acadia All Terrain AWD – $40,040
Acadia Denali FWD – $45,845
Acadia Denali AWD – $47,845
The All Terrain model features an advanced AWD system with Active Twin Clutch. An SLE-based All Terrain model will be offered Spring 2016.
A new, 2.5L engine is standard and expected to offer an estimated 28 mpg highway for FWD models (Official EPA estimates not yet available. Fuel economy estimate based on GM testing.). City fuel economy offered is GM-estimated at 22 mpg (FWD) and is bolstered with Stop/Start technology, which enhances efficiency in stop-and-go driving.
GMC today announced the 2016 Sierra All Terrain X – a special edition of the All Terrain model, featuring exclusive premium content that enhances off-road capability and an aggressive, monochromatic appearance.
The All Terrain X’s powerful attitude reflects a popular personalization trend among off-road enthusiasts, executed with the top-range refinement GMC has cultivated for years with models such as the Sierra Denali. Its premium package of monochromatic exterior trim and special equipment offers a customized appearance in a limited-edition model, complemented with GMC’s latest technologies.
The Sierra All Terrain package blends capability with unique style to make a statement on or off road. Highlights include:
4WD with Eaton locking rear differential
Z71 Off-Road suspension package with Rancho monotube shocks, high-capacity air cleaner, Hill Descent Control and underbody transfer case shield
Rear Park Assist
Unique grille with body-color surround and tinted chrome accents; body-color front and rear bumpers (rear bumper with corner steps)
Spray-on bedliner
All-Terrain-logo instrument cluster
Inclinometer in the driver information center.
Product Details
The new Sierra All Terrain X is offered on the 2016 Sierra 1500 4WD crew cab/short box models with SLT trim. In addition to the standard All Terrain content, the “X” package includes:
265/65R18SL Mud-Terrain-rated Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac MT tires, designed for off-road competence in dirt, gravel and mud, with on-road composure in dry, wet and wintry conditions
18 x 8.5-inch black aluminum wheels
Sport side steps (black)
Bed-mounted sport bar (black) designed to support the accessory off-road LED lighting package
High-performance LED headlamps
Performance exhaust system, which bumps output of the 5.3L V-8 engine to 365 horsepower and adds an aggressive note
Body-color door handles and body-side moldings
Black exterior mirrors, belt moldings and B-pillars
Interior floor liners
Available colors: Onyx Black, Summit White, Stone Blue Metallic, Iridium Metallic, Crimson Red Tintcoat, Light Steel Gray Metallic.
You must be logged in to post a comment.