GMC Logo PNG
Large cars can also be stylish and modern, says the GMC logo. The emblem shows the beauty of the metal and pays tribute to the speed and power of the automotive giants. The sign attracts admiring glances and the appearance of brand cars on the track.
GMC: Brand overview
| Founded: | 1911 |
| Founder: | William C. Durant |
| Headquarters: | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Website: | gmc.com |
Meaning and History
GMC had a predecessor, the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company. It appeared in 1901, and 8 years later, it became part of General Motors and received a new name. The current brand was formed in 1911 when it was merged with the Reliance Motor Company. Then he began to use his first logo, which bears little resemblance to the modern version. The identity went through several stages of evolution until the emblem took the form of a simple red “GMC” lettering. It is one of the most recognizable brand names in the United States.
What is GMC?
GMC is the brand’s official name, formerly known as the GMC Truck & Coach Division. It is a subsidiary of General Motors, specializing in producing premium trucks, vans, pickups, and SUVs. This organization was founded in 1900 by the two Grabowsky brothers and became part of GM in 1909. Many GMC vehicles use the Chevrolet platform.
1911 – 1947
The debut logo looks like a round stamp or rondel. Inside there is a black circle with the stylized abbreviation “GMC.” The legs of the letter “M” are long and slightly curved upward, going under the “G” and “C.” All symbols are white with an orange outline. The outer ring that frames the circle is also orange. It contains three black words with dots in between: “GENERAL,” “MOTORS,” “TRUCKS.” These letterings are in a short serif typeface and are outlined in thin white lines.
1947 – 1960
In 1947, a logo appeared with a decorative inscription. The designers made it completely red and removed all geometric shapes. The abbreviation “GMC” is now located at the top. The stylized letter “M” merges with the horizontal line that is drawn under the “G” and “C.” A stripe separates the abbreviated brand name from the word “TRUCKS.” It is written in bold, round typeface.
1960 – 1967
In the middle of the 20th century, the time has come for minimalism. The logo has been shortened to three letters “GMC.” The developers have made them gray and placed them inside a black rectangle. The font will be slightly flattened, which negatively affected the readability of the abbreviation.
1975 – 1979
Simple shapes and lines characterize the GMC logo of this period. The designers increased the rectangular background a lot, providing enough space for the inscription so that it does not look sparse. At the same time, they removed the noble silver tint from the letters and made them plain white. In addition, the authors added a double border to the rectangle and painted it red.
1979 – 2014
The most famous GMC logo was created in 1966. It is simple red lettering with a gradient, thin black outlines, and silver-gray edging. The letters have clear geometry and are composed of lines of equal thickness. The corners at the ends are slightly rounded. This version is still used on a par with the new one.
2014 – today
In 2014, another version of the logo appeared. It differs from the previous one in the width of the lines: the vertical parts of the capital “G,” “M,” and “C” are thicker than the horizontal and diagonal ones. The colors are the same, but the shades are different, and the linear gradient is below the middle.
The GMC graphic mark is simple and versatile. It is used on a variety of vehicle models, from pickup trucks to SUVs. The emblem has the form of a three-letter inscription, which is associated with brutal practicality. She looks powerful and imposing, personifying the power of freight transport. The two versions of the logo differ only in details, such as the palette and the shape of the letters. In general terms, they are similar. The developers deliberately made them the same so as not to violate the integrity of the visual identity.
GMC: Interesting Facts
GMC, originally called the General Motors Truck Company, is an American brand that makes trucks and utility vehicles. It’s part of General Motors (GM) and is known for making durable and useful vehicles.
- Beginning: In 1911, GM bought the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, starting its journey into truck manufacturing.
- World War II: GMC made over 600,000 trucks for the U.S. military during the war. The GMC CCKW 6×6 truck was especially important for moving troops and supplies.
- Early Electric Truck: In 1913, GMC made an electric truck, one of the first electric vehicles, ideal for quiet and emission-free city deliveries.
- Utility Vehicle Pioneer: In 1937, GMC introduced the Suburban, one of the first SUVs, offering more space and capability than regular cars.
- Professional Grade: GMC’s slogan, “Professional Grade,” emphasizes their vehicles’ quality, durability, and advanced features, differentiating them from other GM products.
- Denali Luxury Line: Since 1999, the Denali line has represented GMC’s luxury models, featuring advanced tech, luxurious interiors, and strong performance.
- GMC Hummer EV: In 2020, GMC announced an all-electric Hummer with 1,000 horsepower and fast acceleration, highlighting a move towards electric vehicles.
- Space Exploration: GMC vans, known as the Astrovan, carried Apollo astronauts to the launch pad, showing GMC’s role in important historical events.
- Tailgate Innovation: With six functions, the GMC Sierra’s MultiPro Tailgate showcases GMC’s focus on practical and innovative vehicle design.
- Global Presence: Besides being big in North America, GMC sells vehicles in the Middle East and other places, adapting to different markets.
GMC’s history of making reliable trucks and utility vehicles, plus its move into electric vehicles, shows its dedication to innovation and meeting customer needs.
Font and Colors
The abbreviation font is the same as Nokianvirallinenkirjasin Regular, although the designers flattened the letters slightly in the second version. Some of the corners are rounded, and some are preserved in their original form.
The effect of “metallic” lettering is created through a well-chosen palette. The authors of the logo used a red color with a pale gradient for the name of the division and surrounded the signs with silver edging. The 2014 version is dominated by a red-pink hue (# 9B1922). This color scheme gave the brand the unofficial nickname Big Red. It is worth noting that after the iconic Chevrolet emblem became available in black, GMC also began to put dark gray versions of the logo on its cars.
GMC color codes
| Radical Red | Hex color: | #ff4b67 |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 255 75 103 | |
| CMYK: | 0 71 60 0 | |
| Pantone: | PMS 1787 C |
| Carnelian | Hex color: | #b11218 |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 177 18 24 | |
| CMYK: | 0 90 86 31 | |
| Pantone: | PMS 485 C |
| Taupe Gray | Hex color: | #8e8e95 |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 142 142 149 | |
| CMYK: | 5 5 0 42 | |
| Pantone: | PMS Cool Gray 8 C |
| Jet Black | Hex color: | #37363b |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 55 54 59 | |
| CMYK: | 7 8 0 77 | |
| Pantone: | PMS 412 C |
What does the GMC symbol mean?
The GMC symbol has a very simple structure: it contains only three letters, G, M, and C, which represent the brand name. The designers chose a laconic sans-serif font and other decorative elements for the inscription. The only decoration of the logo is silver outlines and a red gradient. Such minimalism embodies the power, practicality, and reliability of cars.
Which car logo is GMC?
The “GMC” logo is found on various vehicles, from buses, vans, and SUVs to heavy-duty vehicles and light trucks, including electric pickups.
How big is the GMC emblem?
The outdoor emblem, available from the official GMC accessories store, is 14.947 inches long, 3.286 inches wide, and 0.256 inches thick.
Why is the GMC logo red?
It happened historically: the first version of the red GMC logo was introduced in 1966, and since then, its color has not changed. Designers only experimented with shades, adding a gradient in 2014 and circling each letter with a silver border. Red color represents the fullness of life, confidence, power, passion, energy, vivid emotions, and adrenaline.
