Aron9000

Yeah, its all about the $$$$ that GMC makes GM, I'm sure its their most profitable division if you look at the % of profit per unit sold. That was long true before GM went bankrupt, they aren't going to cancel their golden goose that prints them $$$$. Even having a seperate dealer network that seems redundant, GM is still making a ton of $$$ with GMC.

Also just to get into some marketing psychology with GMC, lets look at the Yukon Denali buyer vs the Escalade buyer. At least where I live, in the very conservative south, the Escalade is too shouty, too bling, too much excess. The Denali is a bit more stealth, less flash, but just as nice as the Escalade, and its cheaper to boot. With the current generation of GM SUV's, I'd argue the Denali is superior to the Escalade in outright terms anyways, the infotainment system is way easier to use than that CUE mess Cadillac has on the Escalade.

Toys4RJill

Really, really great comments. The buyers are likely different. Similar to Land Cruiser vs LX570 buyers.

mmarshall

They aren't always sold through separate dealerships, though. In my area (D.C. suburbs), there are several combined Chevy/Buick/GMC dealerships...I suspect that's also the case in some other areas too. GMC used to be sold out of Pontiac shops (Pontiac/GMC) in many places, but, of course, that stopped when Pontiac folded.

Depends on where you are in the South. Escalade bling would probably be right at home in some of the larger Southern cities......especially New Orleans and Atlanta. All of that chrome and plushness would fit in perfectly with the Jazz/music, restaurant, and entertainment atmosphere in New Orleans. It would probably also go over well in and around Miami and Miami beach.

SW17LS

I understand why GMC exists, it's a more upscale feel than Chevy, which is a little blue collar. For instance, I wouldn't buy a Tahoe LTZ (or Premier) for myself because it feels too mainstream, an Escalade is too flashy and showy for me, but I would buy a GMC Yukon Denali.

Ford had the same idea for Mercury, but the product was weak and Lincoln was weaker at the top than Cadillac is for GM. (Ie nobody thinks a Lincoln is too flashy)

mmarshall

Sometimes, though, both GMC and Buick are providing (or trying to provide) the same upscale feel from Chevy...perhaps the best example is with the Traverse/Acadia/Enclave. Both the Acadia and Enclave seemed to be more or less splitting the same market....though the Enclave definitely had more bling inside and outside.

I think we'd both agree, though, that the new Continental might just put a stop to that kind of thinking LOL.

mmarshall

BTW.....a number of good comments here on both sides. That's why I opened this thread......because I knew I could get a round of good credible opinions and views, on both sides, from everyone. As usual, I'm not disappointed.

tex2670

Understanding why there's a separate GMC, and making the financial case to support both Chevy and GMC trucks are two different things. And that's what none of us knows. To the layman, it would seem to be a waste. But, especially after the GM bankruptcy, and shedding of brands, it must make financial sense to keep both lines--as counterintuitive as it seems.

geko29

This is where I'm at exactly. The Denali gets most of the substantive luxury features (and the bigger engine) of the Escalade that I would want, but I wouldn't feel like a douchebag driving one.

The only Trucks/SUVs in the entire GM stable I'd consider buying are under the GMC marque. To the degree that my opinion is common (and I'm not saying that it is), eliminating the GMC brand would be a mistake.

Aron9000

Also, this is just personal taste, but I like the front end styling better on the GMC Sierra trucks than the Chevy trucks. Just for that reason alone I'd buy a new GMC over a new Chevy. Previous two generations of trucks I've preferred the GMC over the Chevy Silverado, but anything pre 1999ish, I'd go Chevy all the way.

SW17LS

i think Buick and GMC have similar missions for GM just in different market segments.

I actually wouldn't agree. The Lincoln is not showy or ostentatious, it will go unnoticed by almost everybody. An Escalade is very in your face and gaudy. It's like wearing a giant diamond ring.

Like geko said perfectly, I feel like a Douchebag in an Escalade.

mmarshall

This is not showy? Well, I'll respect your opinion...each to his own.




It's hard for me to feel like a douchebag behind the wheel of almost anything. As a car enthusiast, I feel at home driving almost anything with four wheels. The only modern vehicles I've sampled that really tested my patience behind the wheel were the diminutive Smart-for-Two (it was a joke.....more of a toy than a true automobile) and the gigantic Ford Excursion, which, at over 7000 lbs. empty, simply weighed too much for its underpinnings, and had, IMO, borderline-dangerous road manners if you were not extremely careful.

SW17LS

The Continental is just not the same as the Escalade. Rap stars dont roll around in Continentals. The Kardashians don't drive Continentals. The Escalade has become a symbol of conspicuous wealth...

AJT123

Lol, where in TN are you? Yes, it's like that here also. Yukon Denalis are all over the place and Escalades are much rarer. Also, there are lots of Infiniti QX80s here too, another cheaper but worthy competitor. I always wonder to myself, "QX or Denali if I were buying?" and I'd have to say Denali for looks and 6.2L alone, although the QX has a light years better interior.

Fizzboy7

Much prefer the modern and edgy styling of GMC over Chevy. If they dump anyone, I rather see them dump Chevy. Their unevenly divided triple front grilles look terrible.

AJT123

I also wouldn't buy Chevy when there's GMC. I've always thought the GMC treatment looked better. So, it would be a mistake to axe the brand.