GM Dominates Full-Size SUV Market

Through August of this year, General Motors has sold 125,000 full-size SUVs.
This figure represents a stunning 74% market share. That is, almost three of every four full-size SUVs sold in the United States are manufactured by General Motors. GM has persuasively calculated that, if the combined revenue from the sale of these 125,000 sport-utility vehicles was combined, the revenue would be equal to that of a Fortune 400 company.

GMC’s portion of those sales is significant. Sales for the brand’s Yukon and Yukon XL were up 24 percent for the first eight months of 2013. Now, GMC potentially adds to these successes with exciting new features in the 2015 Yukons which were just announced on September 13th. The all-new 2015 versions of the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL should only further extend General Motor’s dominance in the full-size SUV market.

The new EcoTech3 engines are expected to produce best-in-class fuel economy. Despite better fuel efficiency, the all-new 2015 Yukon XL will be 20 inches longer, thereby offering enhanced third-row legroom and almost double the cargo space behind that third row. The new Yukons will feature fully-boxed frames that include over 75% high-strength steel. This will result in further improvements  in the quiet and controlled ride that the Yukon is already known for.

Safety enhancements appear in the 2015 lineup as well. The front seat center-mounted airbag in models with bucket seats is a class-exclusive feature. The Yukon line-up also now includes a forward radar system. The GM Safety Alert Seat offers directional vibrations that alert the motorist to looming crash threats. The new 5.3 L EcoTec3 V-8 that debuted earlier in the year in the Sierra is now standard in the Yukon and Yukon XL models. Meanwhile, the new EcoTec3 6.2 L engine becomes standard in the hi-end Denali models. It offers best-in-class horsepower and torque.

The state-of-the-art technologies in the EcoTec3 engines include direct injection, continuously variable valve timing, cylinder deactivation, and an advanced combustion system. More precisely controlled combustion allows the new engines to operate with a higher compression ratio. The result is improved power and efficiency. A variety of other engineering advancements will allow these new Yukon engines to stay in four-cylinder mode more of the time, thus enhancing fuel efficiency even further.

GM’s crossover SUVs, the three-row GMC Acadia and the two-row GMC Terrain, continue to build further momentum for GMC. Acadia offers impressive fuel economy and continued best-in-class cargo storage. The more recent debut of the Terrain has met with wide acclaim. Sales on a seasonally-adjusted basis have increased every month since the introduction of this popular new crossover.

The first of the 2015 Yukons and Yukon XL’s are expected to arrive at dealerships in early 2014. The prospects for GM further extending its lead in the large SUV segment appears to be very, very good.