5/31/15

Demo of the Rampage Power Lift for Motorcycles



This video offers a full demonstration of the Rampage Power Lift for motorcycles. The Rampage offers fast, safe, one-person loading of any size motorcycle including full dressers like Harleys and Gold Wings. The Rampage also offers attachments, so you can use this to load your personal watercraft, trike, or snowmobile.

 Visit http://www.openroadoutfitters.com/ram... for more info or to order.

5/29/15

Customers Accelerate GMC Sales So Far in 2015


Brand’s first quarter was best in 10 years, 
and momentum continues


DETROIT – When it comes to midsize trucks, Mike Taylor of Dallas has switched from regular to premium.

The 35-year-old IT engineer and consultant recently swapped his barely broken-in 2014 Toyota Tacoma for a 2015 GMC Canyon Crew Cab in Onyx Black.

“The Canyon just offers so much more,” Taylor said while loading firewood into his truck bed recently. A military retiree and father of three, Taylor is especially fond of premium Canyon features such as the CornerStep rear bumper, large cargo bed, OnStar 4G LTE connectivity and crash-avoidance technologies. 

“It’s as if GMC listened to its customers, addressed any concerns and then provided solutions,” said Taylor, who used the GM Military Discount to purchase his Canyon. Through June 30, all 22 million U.S. military active-duty, retirees, reserves and veterans are eligible for special military pricing; after June 30, the discount still applies, but covers veterans within a year of separation.

Taylor helped drive GMC’s total first-quarter sales up 15 percent compared with a year ago – for its best January-March since 2005. April retail and total sales were up 8.1 percent and 20 percent, respectively, marking 15 consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains for the brand.

Through April 30, GMC delivered 167,005 vehicles in the U.S., up 16 percent year over year. Overall, nearly 17 percent of GMC sales have been to import vehicle owners. For Canyon, the import conquest rate is nearly 24 percent as GMC continues to inject premium amenities into what used to be a bare-bones segment.

Separately, the Sierra full-size pickup saw its best April since 2004; Acadia and Terrain posted their best April sales ever; and it was the highest-performing month all year for Yukon and Yukon XL.

“As more consumers choose trucks, crossovers and SUVs, they discover GMC offers capacity and capability in a premium package with precision design, execution, attention to detail, advanced technologies and other upscale qualities they seek in a brand,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president, GMC.

“Our robust average transaction prices, relatively low incentive spend as a percentage of average transaction prices and the popularity of our top-of-the-line Denali trim level continue to demonstrate GMC’s appeal to discerning buyers,” said Aldred. “And for those who have not yet experienced all that GMC has to offer, our ‘Precision’ advertising campaign is raising awareness and increasing traffic in our dealerships.” 

GMC’s Denali line represents about 23 percent of all GMC sales but is nearly 60 percent of Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUV sales and 44 percent of Sierra HD sales.

Surveys of GMC customers reveal their top reasons for purchase include exterior styling, quality, seating capability, towing capability, family-friendliness, value for the money and a previous positive experience with a GMC vehicle.

“The Canyon styling caught my eye,” said Taylor, who owned a 2009 Tacoma before he bought the 2014 model. “The difference (between Canyon and Tacoma) is like night and day – I couldn’t even get leather seats in the Tacoma. I thought I’d live and die with them, but the Canyon changed that.”

The Canyon development team spent months talking to midsize truck customers to determine how they used their trucks and what features they wanted in a new one. Customer feedback helped inform popular Canyon features such as the segment’s largest cargo bed, connectivity and infotainment, the available GearOn cargo management system and available EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate.

GMC awards 

The GMC brand and its models have received numerous accolades. For the second year in a row, and on the strength of Denali, GMC won Kelley Blue Book’s Brand Image Award for Most Refined Brand, with high ratings for comfort, interior layout, technology and prestige/sophistication.

The award is based on consumer automotive perception data from Kelley Blue Book’s Market Intelligence's Brand Watch study, which taps into more than 12,000 in-market new-vehicle shoppers annually on Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com, capturing brand/model familiarity and loyalty among new-car shoppers.

Terrain, Yukon and Sierra 1500 lead their segments in the 2015 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. Canyon won AutoWeek’s 2015 Best of the Best Truck award and was named one of Ward’s 10 Best Interiors.

Editors evaluated the Canyon SLT model and praised the truck’s soft surfaces, thoughtful layout, and premium details such as contrast stitching, Bose audio system, easily navigated touchscreen and advanced safety features. They wrote that Canyon “feels more like a well-equipped SUV, but with a bed in the back.”

Forbes named Yukon and Canyon to its list of Hottest New Cars and Trucks for 2015. Acadia made Edmunds.com’s list of the most popular 2015 models.

About GMC
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.


5/27/15

Cargo Bed Enclosure Keeps Stuff Out of Sight in Harbor Service Body



This is an example of a new GMC 2500HD chassis upfitted with a Harbor 8' Service Body with a Forklift-Loadable Rack, Class IV Receiver, and a 3-Piece Cargo Bed Enclosure. It's a great way to keep your stuff accessible and yet out of sight. Ron Sadler is the Fleet/Commercial Manager at Lehmer's Buick-GMC in Concord CA. See more at http://www.lehmersgmc.com

5/25/15

Contractor Body Turned Into A Welder Body



Ron Sadler, Fleet & Commercial Manager at Lehmer's Buick-GMC in Concord CA gives us a brief tour of a 3500HD GMC chassis with a 12' Contractor Body from Royal Truck Body that has been modified to be more like a Welder's Body. See more at http://www.LehmersGMC.com

5/23/15

A Workshop for your Van by Sortimo



WorkMo stands for Work Mobility. Sortimo has developed a multifunctional system, which can be used as workshop equipment, transport system, mobile workshop and work station.

5/19/15

2015 GMC Canyon Review | Consumer Reports



GM tries to revive the shrinking compact truck market with the new GMC Canyon and its near-twin, the Chevrolet Colorado. Better refinement, more features and an upcoming diesel engine might score some sales.

5/17/15

Spied: 2017 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 Chassis Cab


The GM light-duty and heavy-duty pickup trucks look like they'll be coming to market refreshed for 2017 or 2018. Our spy shooters are seeing both of them running all sorts of loaded and empty test loops, likely to work out the bugs on a modified or upgraded powertrain. Here's their latest report:

    "Recently we've caught the updated Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickups out on their first test runs. … We caught a pair of 2016 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty prototypes (one crew-cab 2500 near maximum payload and towing capacity, and the other an empty chassis-cab Duramax) coming in from a run.

    "Much like the light-duty trucks we've seen before, the Sierra looks to be hiding a moderate front-end refresh, with a new front end, hood cuts, a revised grille and updated headlights.

    "We suspect the bigger news is under the hood, where the GM HD trucks are reported to get upgraded versions of the Duramax V-8 turbo-diesel. At least one report pegs the new Duramax numbers at 450 horsepower and 850 pounds-feet of torque.

    "A version of the 10-speed transmission co-developed with Ford is also likely to make it into the heavy-duty pickups by 2018."

Chris Doane Automotive images

Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/04/spied-2017-gmc-sierra-25003500-chassis-cab.html

5/15/15

What’s Next? GM Predicts Jobs of the Future

Top 10 jobs of the future that will drive exciting technologies



DETROIT – As smartphones get more sophisticated, watches connect us to the world and our homes grow more automated, cars will advance in ways customers cannot imagine. Already, people are developing and bringing products to the mainstream that we don’t even know we want.

What will be the jobs that bring the technology that improves our lives to market?

“In the automotive industry we have the opportunity to make our technologies impact real change,” said Gary Smyth, executive director, global research and development at General Motors. “Not many other industries can embrace the future so holistically: We have battery chemists, electrical engineers, manufacturing experts, software developers and social media operators all in one industry, working at making our lives easier and more productive.”

Ten years from now the workplace may depend less on location than connectivity, such as eco-friendly workstations that offer collaborative environments catering to technology developers.

GM employees of various experience levels and backgrounds see these as the Top 10 jobs of 2025.

1.    Electrical engineers – Battery, hybrid and plug-in vehicles are becoming mainstream. The internal combustion engine isn’t going anywhere soon, but the industry is developing alternative ways to make a car move. Electrified vehicles are more powerful and achieve greater range, and as more customers try these alternatives, demand can only be expected to grow. Over the next 10 years, more engineers will be needed to explore and develop electrified vehicles.

2.    Analytics expert – Data is everywhere and can help diagnose what in a car needs attention before it becomes a problem and help pick the best route to a destination. With smart data, the car and the driver will work together for a more efficient future. Analysts will be needed to create algorithms to decipher how this data can best help drivers.

3.    Interaction designers - Operating all the technology in the car needs to be designed with an artistry that makes it easy to use. A driver can be going 60 mph on the freeway and the information and technology within the car needs to be accessed intuitively so the driver can keep his hands on the wheel. 

4.    Web programmer – The car is not a smartphone or a tablet or whatever is going to come next, but it will be a platform that allows the next big thing to easily connect to the vehicle and its occupants. Software is playing an increasingly important role in the vehicle, and coders and developers are only going to be in more demand. 

5.    Autonomous driving engineer – GM envisions a world without crashes and a key step toward that direction is the introduction of vehicle-to-vehicle technology on the 2017 Cadillac CTS that allows the car to “talk” to other cars that are equipped with V2V technology. After that will come Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving technology in the Cadillac CT6 range-topping luxury sedan. Within these fields there will be sensor experts, radar developers and all types of engineers needed to make these vehicles and those that follow them a reality.

6.    Customer care experts – It’s not just about cars being made by car people who deliver them to the masses. With social media, direct interaction with companies big and small is direct and near instantaneous. Social care experts provide the listening ear and resolution to problems that can help make customers for life. 

7.    Sustainability integration expert – Proof points of a sustainable business model can be seen throughout GM. Already, the company has 122 plants and facilities that send no garbage to landfills. A variety of other environmentally friendly programs – from using alternative energy sources like solar and wind – to just finding ways to use less of everything opens employment opportunities for people who understand the best ways to apply these goals to the business. 

8.    Industrial engineer – Vehicles are mass-produced products. The best companies discover and apply the most efficient production techniques. The future for this position will challenge engineers to build complex vehicles in ways that are sustainable and efficient.   

9.    3D Printing engineer – The uses and capabilities of 3D printing in the development, design and engineering world are just beginning to be fully realized. A part mockup that once took weeks to create can now be printed in a matter of hours. Faster prototyping doesn’t just save time; it can lead to more options to be tested and better end products.

10.     Alternative propulsion engineer – Diesels, battery electrics, fuel cells. There is no single answer to the future of propulsion. Refining and developing new ways for cars to move will also drive job creation.


General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com 

5/13/15

2015 GMC Canyon Off-Road Review: Snow, Dirt, & Donuts in TFL4K The Fast Lane Truck



The 2015 GMC Canyon is a new pickup that doesn't drive like a truck. In fact it drives much more like a new crossover but in this TFLtruck Review we wanted to know how this truck drives when the road turns snowy and slick.

5/12/15

GMC 2500HD with Royal Service Body Is A Mainstay



Ron Sadler, Fleet & Commercial Manager at Lehmer's Buick-GMC in Concord CA gives us a brief tour of one of the mainstays in the industry of work trucks: The 8' service body on a 2500HD chassis. See more at http://www.LehmersGMC.com

5/10/15

GMC Offers Special Pricing for All Veterans Through June

GM Military Discount covers all 22 million veterans, 
regardless of separation date


DETROIT – For U.S. military veterans waiting for the right time to purchase a GMC truck, crossover or SUV, GMC is expanding the GM Military Discount to all veterans – regardless of separation date – through June 30.

The expanded discount is part of GM Military Appreciation Month, which began May 1. Last year, more than 40,000 active-duty, reserves, retired and veteran service members used the discount to purchase vehicles from eligible GM brands, including veteran Kathryn Scott of Reidsville, Ga. who bought a new GMC Terrain.

“The process was easy – all I had to do was show my DD Form 214 separation papers and my dealer (NeSmith Chevrolet Buick GMC Inc. in Claxton, Ga.) took care of everything,” said Scott, who served eight years in the U.S. Air Force, most recently at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. “I love my Terrain, and it was nice to put the savings toward other things I needed to take care of.”

The most comprehensive military pricing program of any automaker covers all 22 million active-duty, reserves, retired and veteran service members and spouses from every military branch: U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard during May and June. After June 30, the discount applies to active-duty, reserves and retired military and spouses, and veterans and spouses within a year of separation.

First offered in 2008, the GM Military Discount Program features pricing below the suggested retail price for eligible vehicles. It can be combined with most other current incentives from GMC, as well as a $750 discount for USAA Insurance members. Customers must take delivery by June 30, 2015.

“At a time when more Americans have been buying trucks, crossovers and SUVs, it is a privilege to have the opportunity to make a GMC more attainable to the men and women have served this country,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president, GMC sales.

All GMC models, including the Denali trim, are eligible for the GM Military Discount:

•    GMC Canyon midsize pickup, the newest member of the GMC family and winner of AutoWeek’s 2015 “Best of the Best” Truck award and Ward’s 10 Best Interiors
•    GMC Sierra 1500 – the most powerful light duty pickup on the market – and Sierra HD full-size pickups, all new for the 2014 model year
•    GMC Terrain small SUV and GMC Acadia large crossover
•    Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs, all new for the 2015 model year
•    GMC Savana passenger vans

GMC and the military: A distinguished history

GMC’s relationship with the U.S. military dates to World War I, as trucks began replacing horses and mules to transport troops, serve as ambulances and provide other tactical support. In 1916, the GMC Model 16 was chosen for the Class AA standard ¾-ton truck by the U.S. Army for the duration of the war.

By 1936, GMC was developing multi-drive axle military vehicles. During World War II, GMC fulfilled 59 U.S. War Department contracts, as well as those from Great Britain, France and other Allies, worth $1.5 billion. GMC built 583,925 multi-drive military vehicles, including 528,829 6x6 trucks, 21,147 amphibious 2½-ton DUKW353 “Duck” trucks(based on modified GMC CCKW trucks, and 32 armored cars.

GMC delivered its first “Ducks” – finished on a repurposed bus assembly line – to the U.S. Army in 1943. A unique central tire inflation system allowed the driver to adjust tire pressure from his seat. Higher pressure made the craft navigable on pavement; lower pressure provided better flotation and traction on soft ground, such as beaches. The last Ducks were produced in 1945; surviving units were used for military training and in the tourism industry.

In 1944, GMC received the Army-Navy “E” Award for Excellence in the war effort. The U.S. Army considered the GMC 2½-ton 6x6s the best trucks in service, and the GMC Duck the most outstanding of new ordnance weapons.

GMC’s military support continued beyond the world wars. In 1963, GMC built specially designed tractors for the U.S. Air Force to transport Minuteman guided missiles. In 1991 and 1992 during the Persian Gulf War, GMC light trucks were delivered to the joint military forces of Saudi Arabia. They included heavy-duty pickups converted to troop/cargo carriers and 900 heavy-duty chassis cabs with ambulance bodies.

Learn more about how to purchase a new GMC vehicle using the GM Military Discount at gmmilitarydiscount.com.

About GMC
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.

About GM Military Support
GM’s 100-year history of military and support leadership continues today through philanthropy, education and training opportunities and employment initiatives. The GM Military Discount offers the most comprehensive military purchase program in the auto industry to active duty members, reservists, National Guard members, veterans and retirees — and spouses — of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

5/09/15

OnStar 4G LTE now available on Buick & GMC Fleet Vehicles



Get more work done in the field by making your vehicle a mobile office with OnStar 4G LTE. Connect up to 7 device and stay connected with your fleet with OnStar 4G LTE.

5/07/15

5/05/15

2015 GMC Canyon Earns Ward’s 10 Best Interiors Trophy


Premium midsize truck boasts winning design, 
comfort and technology features


DETROIT – From soft-touch materials on the instrument panel to the latest OnStar 4G LTE capabilities, GMC Canyon impressed the editors at WardsAuto with its spacious and well-appointed interior. The automotive trade publication named the premium midsize truck one of Ward’s 10 Best Interiors for 2015.

“It’s important that great interiors be available in every class of vehicle, not just luxury models that most consumers will never be able to afford,” says WardsAuto World Editor-in-Chief Drew Winter. “The Canyon demonstrates that shoppers need not buy a loaded full-size pickup to get lots of soft surfaces, a Bose audio system, supple and durable leather, an easily navigated touchscreen and advanced safety features.”

The award is based on WardsAuto staff’s evaluation of 42 new U.S.-market vehicle interiors and their rankings of elements such as design harmony, ergonomics, materials, driver information, safety, comfort, fit-and-finish and value. Aesthetics and design harmony was the most heavily weighted category.

“There’s an elevation of design and materials in the Canyon’s interior that reflects GMC’s precision in craftsmanship,” says Helen Emsley, executive director, Global GMC Design. “Details such as authentic aluminum trim and high-quality stitching reinforce Canyon’s position as the segment’s only premium offering, while features such as multiple USB ports and seats designed for long-haul comfort are thoughtful elements that are essential for active-lifestyle customers.”

Whether drivers are navigating their daily routines or finding recreational adventure, the interior was carefully considered to suit their needs. SLE and SLT models bring connectivity and entertainment with two additional USB ports for charging, an eight-inch diagonal color touch screen radio with Intellilink, and a multicolor driver information center display. SLT models include leather-appointed, heated front bucket seats with power passenger seat.

Technology and connectivity are further enhanced in the Canyon with OnStar 4G LTE with a Wi-Fi hotspot that allows drivers to stay connected at any time, in any place.

Safety and convenience are also highlighted in Canyon with segment-first available forward collision alert, lane departure warning and standard rear-vision camera.

In addition to Ward’s 10 Best Interiors, Canyon was recognized as Autoweek’s Best of the Best Truck for 2015 and won a midsize pickup comparison by Cars.com.

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.

5/03/15

2015 GMC Canyon SLT 4x4 Test Drive Video Review - Mid-Size Pickup Truck



http://www.autobytel.com/gmc/canyon/2... It’s a great time to be a pickup truck buyer with the new mid-size line-up coming from General Motors. The GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado are setting the bar for this segment. Prices start at $20,955 for the base model Canyon all the way up to $37,250 for the top-of-the-line SLT 4x4 crew-cab long box model.

There are 2 different engine options available. The first is a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder that makes 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. The second engine is a larger 3.6 liter V-6 that makes 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft. of torque. This larger engine gets 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.

The GMC Canyon sets the bar high in a segment that is read to take off.
Video by Dan Gray

5/01/15

GMC Sierra Pickup Truck | Advanced Cargo System



The advanced cargo system of the GMC Sierra pickup truck is equipped with technology like a lower tailgate, box lighting, and bumper corner steps, to help you work smart, not hard.