What is it?
A GMC concept for consumers. General Motor's GMC badge is associated with hauling, shifting and working in the USA, making this trendy urban machine something of a surprise on the
Detroit show stand. Still, it's GMC, so it comes with a suitably tough name, the cool mono-box concept being dubbed Granite.
Why's it here?
It looks like GMC is fishing for more customers. The Granite is aimed at young urban professionals, which is quite at odds with the hob-nailed booted grafters you'd usually expect to drive something wearing the badge. There's no harm in GMC spreading its wings a bit of course, though it does seem a little odd given GM has plenty of consumer brands it could market a machine like the Granite through. Still, the tough image might be just the thing, and like its namesake the show car is grey - being finished in a brush matte effect.
Show stopper or floor filler?
Nothing really new on show here. Sure, the rear-hinged doors are pretty cool, as is the 'loft apartment inspired' interior but the Granite doesn't really move things on in Detroit. What's perhaps most telling is that it's compact - with a small 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, too - which rather echoes something of a downsizing theme at the Cobo Center. USA consumers are seemingly getting the message that small can be good. That such a rootin'-tootin' brand like GMC is demonstrating that with a concept can only be a good thing.
Kyle Fortune - 11 Jan 2010