
For Release: July 1, 2003
2004 GMC LINEUP DELIVERS PROFESSIONAL-GRADE
PERFORMANCE AND VALUE FOR FLEET AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS
"A truck for nearly every fleet
and commercial need." That's the best way to summarize the
wide-ranging capability of GMC trucks.
New TopKick Crew Cabs for 2004
Already extensive in its offering, GMC's TopKick line of medium
duty trucks adds Crew Cab models for 2004, extending TopKick's
people-carrying capacity to six.
"The GMC TopKick Crew Cab models
enable our customers to take their crew and whatever else they
need to the job site. The adage that 'you can't take it with you'
no longer applies with these new models," said Brian McVeigh,
general manager, GM Fleet & Commercial Operations.
These new Crew Cabs provide more
room and outstanding comfort and functionality by blending the
operator-friendly feel and easy-to-use controls of light-duty
trucks with the functionality of a true medium-duty design.
The cabs are exceptionally quiet,
with a 50-percent reduction in noise, vibration and harshness
(NVH) levels. The TopKick Crew Cabs provide highly flexible storage,
including a fold-down rear seat and available seat-delete options.
The front passenger seat and rear seat on Crew Cabs can be deleted
to support specific customer needs.
Low step-in heights, generously sized
tread plates and convenient assist handles also provide easy vehicle
entry and egress. C4500 and C5500 models, for example, facilitate
entry with steps that run the full length of the cab. Rear doors
on the Crew Cab open to an exceptionally wide 70 degrees for easy
entry and exit.
"It's one of the basics of the
business: Take care of your people and they'll work hard for you,"
said McVeigh. "At every step of designing and engineering
the Crew Cab, we've kept people accommodations in mind."
Tilt Cab
The T-Series Tilt Cab returns to the medium duty lineup in classes
6, 7 and 8 for 2004. The T-Series complements the lighter GVW
W-Series models that address customer requirements for Class 3,
4 and 5 tilt cabs.
Sharing many common components with
the C-Series, the T-Series is powered by the Duramax Diesel 7800,
with horsepower ratings from 200 hp to 250 hp (149 kw to 186 kw)
(275-300 horsepower/205-223 kw versions will be released in early
2004). The engine delivers multiple torque outputs, from 520 lb.-ft.
to 800 lb.-ft. (705 Nm to 1,084 Nm) to meet specific customer
needs.
The T-Series addresses gross vehicle
weight ratings (GVWRs) from 25,000 pounds up to 39,000 pounds
(11,339 kg to 17,690 kg) with single rear axles and up to 56,000
pounds (25,401 kg) with the introduction of a tandem axle model
in January 2004.
Available Cab to Axle (CA) length
options start at 96 inches (243 cm) and go all the way up to 228
inches (579 cm). The standard frame is rated at 80,000 PSI, with
a 110,000-PSI heat-treated frame available. Both frames also have
L-reinforcements available.
A primary benefit of the T-Series
is the ability to access major truck components for easier serviceability
by tilting the cab.
"A single operator or technician
can tilt the cab forward 43 degrees to reveal the entire engine
compartment. Maintenance and repairs can be completed quickly,
saving both time and money by keeping the truck on the road,"
said McVeigh. "Important daily service checks can be performed
without having to tilt the cab."
GMC T-Series Tilt Cabs are ideally
suited for those situations where ultimate visibility and control
over vehicles is required, for example, road sweepers and paint
stripers.
The right truck for the job
"Our TopKick lineup for fleet and commercial applications
runs the gamut - from class 4 to class 8 GVWRs, from 16,500 to
61,000 pounds (7,484 to 27,669 kg). We offer a broad selection
of wheelbases, a range of powerful gasoline or diesel engines
and a variety of automatic and manual transmissions. Bottom line,
there's a GMC TopKick model for every budget and purpose,"
added McVeigh.
The TopKick C4500 and C5500 Series
(Class 4, 5) are available in Crew Cab, Regular and commercial
cutaway Chassis Cabs, as well as vocational packages to cover
school bus, fire and rescue, ambulance, shuttle bus, wrecker and
snowplow requirements. For the 2004 model year, the C5500 model
expands GVW offerings up to 26,000 pounds (11,793 kg).
The higher GVWRs and longer wheelbases
will provide capabilities previously available only on larger
Class 6 trucks. The lower frame height and lower step-in height
compared to competitive Class 6 trucks will make the Class 4 and
5 trucks easy to use - for both driver and passengers.
For larger tasks, the TopKick C6500,
C7500 and C8500 Series (Class 6, 7, 8) trucks offer regular and
commercial cutaway Chassis Cab offerings, along with the Crew
Cab and T-Series. This model range also includes LoPro (low profile)
and Tandem axle variants.
Savana - a solid foundation
For customers looking for a passenger van, cargo van or a solid
foundation for an RV conversion, GMC Savana is the ideal choice
because it provides performance and innovation in a freshly redesigned
package.
Savana's power and performance is
derived from its lineup of Vortec Generation III engines that
range from 200 horsepower to 300 horsepower (149 kw to 223 kw)
and with torque ratings from 250 lb.-ft. to 360 lb.-ft. (338 Nm
to 488 Nm). Customers looking for V-8 performance and flexible-fuel
capability can outfit an expanded array of models equipped with
the Vortec 6000. This engine offers fully converted, dedicated
compressed natural gas (CNG) systems or bi-fuel systems using
either CNG or gasoline.
GMC Savana also includes a host of
innovative features, including such "industry firsts"
for the full-size van segment as all-wheel drive and a left-hand-side
hinged entry/load door.
Sierra and Sierra HD - even better
for 2004
Still another choice for fleet and commercial customers is the
full-size pickup segment's premier series: the GMC Sierra. For
the 2004 model year, Sierra introduces two new models: the half-ton
SSBCC and the one-ton 9900 GVWR. Also new for 2004 is the availability
of the Work Truck Package on all Sierra models. Sierra also sports
more chrome throughout the model lineup, including a chrome exhaust
tip on the Sierra Denali.
Sierra's engine choices range from
the Vortec 4300 V-6 to the Vortec 6000 V-8. There are also three
four-speed manual transmissions and two five-speed manuals available,
along with a host of configuration choices - from shortside to
fleetside, from Regular Cab to Extended Cab to Crew Cab, and from
short boxes to long boxes.
Sierra's Heavy Duty lineup also sports
exterior enhancements for 2004. It features black bodyside moldings,
chrome steel wheels, chrome grille-surround and cruise control
standard on all base models.
For 2004, Sierra will continue to
offer a wide selection of powerful three-quarter and one-ton pickups,
including 2500HD (3/4-ton) and 3500 Series (one-ton). Both are
available in Regular Cabs, Extended Cabs, Crew Cabs and Chassis
Cabs.
Also returning for 2004 is Sierra
HD's impressive powertrain lineup that includes Duramax 6.6L diesel
V-8, a Vortec 8100 8.1L V-8 and a Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8. All three
engines deliver performance and efficiency in a durable, reliable
package.
# # #
Contact:
Rebecca Harris
FCO Communications
Phone: 313-667-2634
Fax: 313-667-8167
E-mail: rebecca.l.harris@gm.com
GM of Canada Communications
Phil Kling
Phone: 905-644-1804
Fax: 905-644-3873
E-mail: phil.kling@gm.com
GM de Mexico Communications
Juan Bernardo Urrutia
Phone: 011(5255) 5901-3046
E-mail: juanbernardo.urrutia@gm.com