2012 GMC Yukon and Sierra celebrate 100 years with heritage editions at New York Auto Show

“The GMC brand always looks forward, but this day provides an opportunity to celebrate 100 years of the proud GMC name,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of GMC Marketing. “Sierra and Yukon are two of our longest-running and most-respected nameplates, so it makes sense to use them to represent our heritage.”

So, the GM news release is correct when it states that it is no coincidence that the 2012 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL and Sierra Heritage Editions will debut at the New York Auto Show. It was literally a century ago that the GMC name first appeared on the front of a truck at this very same event.

This reporter recalls the visit to the GM Heritage Center just a few years. It was a great experience to see the early models of the GMC brand.

Now fast forward to today. Commemorative exterior badges on the doors of these special models will feature the original GMC logo design once again, the same that debuted on the 1912 range of models, which included gas- and electric-powered trucks designed for the most demanding among early drivers. The script is surrounded by the words “Heritage Edition.”

2012 Heritage Editions will be offered on Sierra 1500 Crew Cab, Yukon and Yukon XL models in SLT trim. Three colors will be available – a new, exclusive Heritage Blue ($195), White Diamond ($995) or Onyx Black (no additional cost). Interior colors for the Yukon are Ebony and Light Tan.

This time, though, each Heritage Edition model will offer its own differentiating content. For example, the Sierra Heritage Edition full-size pickup includes:
- Unique “Heritage Edition” exterior badges
- Embroidered front floor mats
- Embroidered front headrests
- Chrome door handles, mirror caps and door moldings
- 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels
- Convenience package with rear park assist, adjustable pedals, Universal Home Remote, EZ-Lift locking tailgate and rear wheelhouse liners
- Rear-vision camera

The Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs are equipped with:
- Unique “Heritage Edition” exterior badges
- Embroidered front floor mats
- Embroidered front headrests
- SLT-2 Equipment Package with 10-way leather memory seats, headed second-row seats with power release, power-operated liftgate and heated side mirrors
- Additional content – including 20-inch wheels – is optional

For Sierra, the Heritage Edition package adds $2,645. The Yukon and Yukon XL package adds $1,970 to the suggested retail price, or $1,820 for the Yukon XL ¾-ton model. The charges for premium paint colors listed above are in addition to the package prices.

For the record, GMC was formed in 1912 when the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company merged with two others – Reliance and Randolph – to become the brand known today for trucks, crossovers and SUVs. That means GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, and is one of the industry's healthiest brands.

Today, GMC is the second largest of the four General Motors brands. If it were a stand-alone manufacturer, it would be the 10th-largest automaker in the United States in terms of total vehicle sales in 2011.

GM likes to say that innovation and engineering excellence is built into all GMC vehicles and the brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC is thus the only manufacturer to offer three full-size hybrid trucks with the Yukon, Yukon Denali SUVs and the Sierra pickup. The new Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are considered the most capable and powerful trucks in the market.