Seven cool things to know about GMC trucks

DETROIT -- After nearly a century in Chevrolet's shadow, the GMC truck brand is stepping into the spotlight.

Despite — or maybe because of — a lower profile than the Chevy trucks that sold in much higher numbers, GMC developed a reputation for having GM's best-built trucks.

As with most of GM's growth in its early days, GMC was cobbled together from a couple of other companies: Rapid Motor Vehicle and Reliance Motor, both of which built their first trucks in Detroit in 1902. Here's a brief look at its history:

•GMC was founded by the Grabowsky brothers in Detroit in 1902, but the “G” in its name has nothing to do with them. They called their firm Rapid Motor Vehicle Co. GMC’s second ancestor was the Reliance Motor Co., which built cars and trucks. General Motors bought those companies and merged them into the General Motors Truck Co. in 1909.

•The brothers started the business with a two-cylinder delivery truck. 

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• The “GMC Trucks” logo was first used in 1911. The GMC logo appeared on vehicles in 1912. The company changed its name to GMC in 1913.

•GMC is General Motors’ second-biggest brand in the U.S. behind Chevrolet, and third largest globally, where it trails Chevy and Buick. GMC sold 700,000 vehicles in 12 countries in 2016, primarily in North America and the Middle East. GMC’s lineup consists exclusively of pickups and SUVs.

•The Denali super-premium sub-brand accounts for 29.2% of GMC sales this year, up from 19% in 2014. Denali models account for about 60% of Yukon and Yukon XL sales. GMC has sold more than a million Denalis since launching the brand in 1999. Virtually all GMC advertising features Denalis.

•GMC built battery-powered electric trucks that could haul from 1,000 pounds to 6 tons in 1912. GMC began using Detroit Diesel engines in 1931.

•GMC built almost 584,000 military vehicles during WWII, including 430,000 6x6 2.5-ton Army trucks and 26,000 6x6 amphibious Ducks, some of which are still in use as tourist vehicles.

•The convergence of engineering and design for GMC and Chevrolet trucks took place in 1931. The brands’ model lines were virtually identical for decades, until GMC’s lineup, styling and features began to diverge to support the brand’s premium image.