GMC: The Crown Jewel in the American Truck Industry

As the leading GMC dealer in Buford, we can attest there’s something genuinely remarkable about living and working in this vibrant town. Buford offers residents the best of both worlds. It’s located minutes from Atlanta but far enough from the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy the signature southern charm of a Georgia town. It’s an incredible combination we’re happy to help cultivate at Jim Ellis Buick GMC Mall of Georgia.

Our vast experience in the automotive industry has taught us many lessons that have helped shape our business and customer-centric approach. Along the way, we’ve learned how much Buford drivers appreciate and rely on their trucks, especially those emblazoned with the GMC badge. GMC offers something so many other truck manufacturers haven’t yet mastered––capability and luxury without compromise.

But what’s the secret behind GMC’s success? As an automotive pioneer that helped shape the American automotive landscape, how is GMC’s rich heritage apparent in modern models like the Sierra? It’s time to find out with a closer look at GMC’s incredible reputation for building luxurious and competent powerhouses that can handle every demand and exceed every expectation.

A Legacy Built on Trucks

GMC is one of the few automakers that got its start as a truck manufacturer, a fact Buford drivers will appreciate. In 1902, Max and Morris Grabowsky saw their dream come to life when they built and sold their first truck to the American Garment Cleaning Company in Detroit. The Grabowsky brothers were so confident in their design that they rebranded the Grabowsky Motor Vehicle Company as the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company and immediately launched their first production run of trucks that same year.

With the automotive industry flourishing in the early 1900s, word quickly spread about the Grabowskys’ trucks. The Rapid Motor Vehicle Company built 75 trucks in its Michigan factory in 1904, and in 1908 caught the attention of William C. Durant. The savvy businessman had recently founded General Motors and knew the Rapid truck would be the perfect addition to his corporate vision. In true Durant fashion, he purchased majority stock in the company and brought the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company under the General Motors umbrella in 1909.

While we often see acquisitions like this as financially-induced, that wasn’t the case for the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company. The Grabowskys’ truck rightly earned its place in the spotlight, making history as the first vehicle to ascend Pikes Peak. Durant’s solid business sense set the stage for the General Motors Truck Company that Buford drivers recognize and appreciate today.

The Crossroads of Luxury and Capability

GMC’s place in the automotive industry took a unique turn in the 1950s when the American automotive pioneer turned its attention to offering something beyond utilitarian vehicles simply designed to work hard. Following World War II, GMC focused on a new lineup of “dream trucks” that enticed American drivers from the coast of California to southern towns like Buford into making the most out of their time behind the wheel. These dream models included the Wideside and numerous spinoffs, like truck-based campers, that ultimately led to the Jimmy, the Sprint, and modern marvels like the Canyon and Sierra.

But why is this milestone important? As GMC shifted its focus, the automaker proved its keen awareness of driver needs and its commitment to delivering and exceeding expectations with its models. This set GMC on an upward trajectory, inspiring another industry-leading endeavor in the 1990s when GMC revamped its lineup and introduced us to future icons like the Sierra and Yukon. These models immediately distinguished themselves as opulent road warriors that served as a crossroads of luxury and capability. Moreover, they proved drivers no longer had to compromise or choose one over the other.

Modern Innovation at Your Fingertips

GMC makes the same promise today and refuses to ask drivers to compromise. Whether you rely on your Canyon to navigate your commute to Atlanta or need a Sierra HD that can support your small business in Buford, GMC has a truck for every purpose. And, like every GMC truck throughout history, you’re guaranteed an unbeatable workhorse capable of partnering with you every mile ahead.

This incredible partnership looks different today than it did decades ago, and rightly so. GMC is an automotive pioneer at the helm of innovation, introducing us to cutting-edge features and technologies that heighten our experience in the driver’s seat. GMC owners in Buford reap the benefits, enjoying the perks of the revolutionary MultiPro tailgate, hands-free cruising with Super Cruise, class-leading capability with legendary powertrains, and jaw-dropping luxury from the iconic Denali trims.

MultiPro Tailgate

Max and Morris Grabowsky’s Rapid truck made headlines when it ascended Pike’s Peak in 1909, showcasing its status as a warrior destined to push the limits. GMC has never lost sight of this accomplishment, dedicating itself to building trucks with the same warrior-like spirit and revolutionary features to make our experience in the driver’s seat more enjoyable. Buford drivers see this incredible combination in the MultiPro tailgate, the world’s first multifunction tailgate, which has transformed how we load, unload, and access cargo in the bed.

Luxury + GMC = Denali

GMC trucks like the Sierra have plenty of heart and deliver industry-leading capability. However, Buford drivers don’t have to choose between driving a workhorse that can get the job done and a chariot that will keep them comfortable behind the wheel. With a GMC, you can have it all, especially if it bears the Denali name.

GMC’s penchant for luxury is integral to its heritage, but none more so than when the automaker introduced its top-tier Denali trim in 1999. Today, models like the Sierra enjoy the Denali Ultimate treatment, transforming the truck into a luxurious vehicle with signature design elements and extravagant features that answer every need. From 16-way power heated and ventilated front seats with massage settings to a premium surround sound system that delivers an immersive, concert-like experience, the Sierra Denali is the apex of luxury in the segment and is fit for Buford drivers who appreciate the finer things in life.

Innovative Technologies

GMC’s success in shifting the truck segment away from utilitarian designs is also apparent in its inclusion and introduction of innovative technology. While technology was limited in the 1950s, GMC has always been at the forefront of giving drivers the tools they need in the driver’s seat. This focus is especially apparent in newer models, like the 2024 Sierra and its expansive suite of connectivity, trailering, and driver-assist technologies that heighten your experience in the driver’s seat wherever your life in Buford takes you.

The newest Sierra features up to 40 inches of displays, from the 13.4-inch center touchscreen with Google Built-In to the 12.3-inch Driver Information Center and the 15-inch head-up display. These screens complement an impressive suite of behind-the-scenes tech, like the 14-view camera system and the GMC Pro Safety Suite of driver-assist tools. GMC also includes trailering-specific tools in the ProGrade Trailering System, which helps you confidently navigate Buford, Atlanta, and beyond with a trailer in tow. Additional features like Super Cruise offer a transformative experience, ensuring you enjoy the perks of driving a GMC to the fullest by letting you take your hands off the wheel.

The Value of Experience

GMC has an incredible history in the truck industry, from the first Rapid truck in the early 1900s to the Canyon and Sierra models that decorate the streets of Buford today. While GMC trucks are incredibly popular, there’s something else to consider when shopping for a GMC––the value of experience. GMC has been in the trenches, evolving and innovating since the beginning of the automotive industry. That experience is hard to ignore, especially with GMC’s incredible history of not simply answering driver needs but exceeding our expectations by ensuring we never have to compromise when investing in the truck of our dreams. With GMC, Buford drivers can and will have it all.