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GMC boss wants a Jeep Wrangler rival

Challengers come and challengers go, but the Jeep Wrangler continues to push forward even after vehicles like the Toyota FJ Cruiser and the entire Hummer brand have been shut down. Now GMC reportedly wants to take a stab at the quintessential Jeep, as well.
The news comes directly from Buick-GMC vice president Duncan Aldred, speaking with our compatriots over at Edmunds. Although Aldred said there are no plans currently on the table to expand GMC's lineup beyond the current range, "there is plenty of room everywhere in the hierarchy."
That could include a rival to the Wrangler, as well as a flagship luxury SUV positioned above the current Yukon Denali (pictured above). Just when (or for that matter, if) such models might come into fruition remains a big question mark, but it's certainly interesting to see what GM's dedicated truck brand has on the drawing board.

GMC reveals updated 2016 Sierra

It was just the other day that Chevy revealed the face of the new 2016 Silverado. And as might have been expected, sister brand GMC has followed up by unveiling its version in the facelifted 2016 Sierra pickup – just two and a half years since the current all-new model was rolled out. Though details released thus far remain few and far between, GMC has revealed more images of the new Sierra – in SLT, Denali and All Terrain trim levels – than Chevy did of the updated Silverado. It's got new headlights, fog lamps, and C-shaped daytime running lights and taillights, all using LED elements. It's arguably a more muscular look than the Chevy version, and with more chrome than the toned-down Silverado. That is, at least, in SLT and Denali trims. The All Terrain version looks more in line with the similarly off-road-focused Silverado Z71 and its color-keyed treatment. The changes ought to help GMC keep up the momentum that has seen its sales rise year-over-year every month over the past twelve. The interior shots indicate that the new Sierra will incorporate Apple CarPlay like GM is installing in so many models across its various brand ranges. But we'll have to wait a little while longer for all the details. Related Video: 2016 GMC Sierra Unveiled 2015-07-15 DETROIT -- GMC's best-selling truck has great momentum coming off its best June since 2006 and 12 consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains. With exterior styling as its top reason for purchase, the new truck adds key design elements: LED "C-shaped" signature daytime running lights and LED headlights; new front fascia and grilles for each trim level; new LED fog lamps; new bumpers; and new "C-shaped" LED taillights. The new Sierra will be available in the fourth quarter of this year, with additional details and information on the new model released in the coming months.

GM able to add diesel to half-ton pickups if market demands it

A few years ago, the trend in half-ton pickup trucks was ultra-luxurious trims, often with the words "limited" or "platinum" tacked on after the model name. That was well and good, but we like this latest fad a lot more - diesel engines. First, Ram came to bat with a 3.0-liter, V6 turbodiesel for the 1500, then Nissan announced that the next-generation Titan would be getting an eight-cylinder Cummins diesel.
Now, word is coming in from AutoGuide that General Motors can, if it so chooses, drop a diesel engine into its light-duty trucks. The plot thickens, though, as it turns out that said diesel would be the same one Ram is using for its truck. According to AG, that engine comes from VM Motori, which GM owns a sizable chunk of. Therefore, GM can snag the 3.0-liter, V6 diesel for its trucks just as easily, if not more easily, than Ram.
If it's so easy for the Detroit-based manufacturer to access the engines, why not offer the a diesel-powered Sierra and Silverado from the start, then? According to GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson, The General doesn't seem so confident in a diesel pickup outside of its HD offerings. According to Wilkinson, the cost-benefit ratio doesn't line up for customers, thanks to both the impact on the truck's sticker price and the higher price of diesel, in general (the national average for a gallon of diesel is 43 cents more than a gallon of 87-octane unleaded).