GMC

GMC, an acronym, it was derived from General Motors Truck Company. Back at the dawn of the previous century, in 1901 to be precise, a name named Max Grabowski set up a company he called “Rapid Motor Vehicle Company.”

Its purpose was to build some of the first ever commercial trucks in the United States. A few years later, in 1909, the General Motors Company came along and bought it. From there, it became the General Motors Truck Company, and eventually that evolved into GMC.

Oh, such humbling begins for such a modern industrial giant. Back in those early days, production was measured in mere triple digits! But, over time the company grew and developed, buying and/or merging with other manufacturers, which enabled it to stay competitive and expand its market share.

As an example, buying the Yellow Coach Company in the 1940’s gave the firm a bus division. After that, GMC built transit and inter-urban buses for the Canadian and U.S. markets, until the 1980’s when competition from overseas companies forced GMC out of the bus business. And while trucks of all sizes (heavy duty, medium duty and pick up) have been a mainstay of the company, it has also expanded to include van and sport utility vehicles (the SUV’s).

Over recent times, the company (along with all U.S. auto manufacturers) has faced stiff competition from foreign car and truck builders. On top of that, fuel prices continue to climb, and people are becoming more and more sensitive to the environment. These days, many people are worried about Global Warming and where the planet is headed. As a result, if a company can be more “green,” it will definitely be to their advantage.

With those factors in mind, GMC has begun making and selling various kinds of hybrid vehicles. The Yukon, a popular SUV, now comes in a gas/electric model for 2008. The company bills it as the world’s first two-mode hybrid.

By utilizing an electric power propulsion system at low speeds, it increases full efficiency. In addition, as of 2007, fourteen different models can make use of FlexFuel, also known as E85. It is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. The ethanol is made from good, old U.S. corn and greatly reduces both greenhouse gas emissions, and dependence on foreign oil.

When a buyer considers the world situation: global warming, terrorism etc., it is easy to see that something as simple as which car to purchase can have far reaching consequences. Of course, there are those who say global warming is still unproven. Well, that may be. But, look at it this way: if you have to buy a car, wouldn’t you prefer one that will but less money in the hands of people who don’t like us? After all, the price of gas will only continue to rise. So, investing in a car that runs on an alternative energy source might be the wisest course of action.