Critical Knowledge:

• Compact crossover SUV concept from GMC
• Two feet shorter than GMC Terrain
• Features "progressive industrial" design
• Aimed at young professionals and designed for negotiating crowded city streets
• No-pillar doors open from center, easing ingress and egress and ability to carry long or bulky items
• Reconfigurable seats that flip and fold in toward center console
• Room for 5 passengers
• Two-tone interior with suede-like Nubuck material on seats and instrument panel
• Full-length center console with integrated storage and connection ports
• Rotating gear selector knob with LED indicators
• Navigation, USB port, OnStar and Bluetooth
• 20-inch wheels
• Introduced at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit

Introduction
General Motors' GMC division has spent much of the last decade touting the capability and premium features of its vehicles-in particular its Sierra and Yukon line of full-size pickups and SUVs-through its "Professional Grade" ad campaign. But with big-truck sales down significantly from just a few years ago, stricter government-mandated corporate average fuel-economy targets looming on the horizon and, perhaps most significantly-industry sales of crossovers taking off like a rocket-it seems the dedicated truck brand is diversifying. The introduction in 2007 of the midsize GMC Acadia-the brand's first crossover SUV-signaled a sea change for the brand, and was the first significant step toward featuring more carlike, fuel-efficient designs in its product portfolio. The recently introduced 2010 GMC Terrain compact crossover SUV is another example of the shift occurring at GMC.

Now, just months after the Terrain's launch, GMC has introduced another small crossover-Granite-though at this point the new model is still officially a concept. Similar in size to the Chevrolet HHR and a full two feet shorter than the Terrain, the Granite concept is aimed at young urban professionals-quite a change from the general contractor and do-it-yourselfer crowds the brand has traditionally targeted. Featuring rear-hinged rear doors and what GM calls an "urban-industrial design aesthetic," the Granite concept has been engineered to be small on the outside yet feel big on the inside, featuring an open interior with generous cargo space and unique flipping/folding seats. And although the Granite is technically a concept, it is conceivable that, with a few significant modifications, we could see a production version in just a year or two.

For More Information:

• See GMC Granite Concept Pictures
• Browse Other GMC Models
• Read More New Car Previews