GMC is a US-based automobile company owned by General Motors that produces pickup trucks, SUVs, crossovers, motorhomes, and other types of vehicles. Founded in 1900, it went on to become a part of the General Motors Company in 1911. The GMC logo is not just a symbol; it represents over a century of automotive innovation, quality, and brand evolution. The GMC logo has undergone several transformations that reflect the brand’s growth and commitment to excellence. The article delves into the various logo iterations of the brand over the years.
The Genesis of the GMC Logo (1911-1947)
The original GMC logo resembled a tyre with a black core and a thick orange layer around. The black core had a thin white outline and displayed the brand name “GMC” in gothic style, while the individual letters had an orange outline. On the periphery of the thick orange layer was written the full name of the company, “General Motors Trucks,” in a sans-serif font and in an arched way. The uppercase letters were written in black colour with a thin white outline.
(1947-1955)
In 1947, the logo was simplified by removing the roundel and bringing the brand name centre stage. The wordmark “GMC” appeared blockier and bolder in red, with the letter “M” written comparatively longer and merging seamlessly with the thick horizontal line below. Below the brand name was written “TRUCKS” in a smaller size, also in red.
(1955-1960)
In 1955, the logo was redesigned again by removing the word “TRUCKS” and changing the style and colour palette of the brand name. The colour red of the previous logo was changed to black, and the whole wordmark written in a Gothic style was enclosed within a grey horizontal rectangle. The legs of the letter “M” in the middle extended to both sides of the wordmark.
(1958-1967)
The 1958 logo iteration saw the word “TRUCKS” in dark brown making a comeback and placed at the bottom half of a vertical rectangle sporting orange colour with a dark brown framing. The top half of the rectangle had the word “GMC” and its full form, “GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION,” in yellow and in varying sizes placed against a red background. The whole setup was further enclosed within a slightly bigger vertical rectangle of orange and dark brown colour palettes.
(1960-1967)
In 1960, the logo comprised the flat and horizontally stretched three-letter brand name “GMC” in thick black. It was set against a white background, where the individual letters were spaced apart.
(1967-1971)
The logo of 1967 featured the brand name in thick and bold white placed against a black rectangular background. And above the brand name the words, “The Truck and Coach Division of General Motors.” were written in white as well. The words were rendered in a sans-serif typeface and in a comparatively small size.
(1971-1975)
The 1971 logo iteration featured the brand name in thick and bold white placed against a red rectangular background.
(1975-1979)
In 1975, the previous logo variant was made slightly thin, and the red rectangle at the back showed a double border of white and black.
(1979-2014)
The 1979 logo iteration featured the brand name in a gradient red colour placed against a white background. Here, the individual letters sported a silver grey outline, giving the brand name a three-dimensional volumetric appearance.
(2014-Present)
The logo iteration of 2014 saw the shading intensity of individual letters increase, especially below the middle. This made the letters look slightly darker compared to the previous iteration. The borders of the letters were increased in width, and the letters too were stretched further.
The Elements of the GMC Logo
Font
GMC has used the same geometric font since the 1970s, characterised by squared angles and a broad, distinctive appearance. Unlike a typical sans-serif, this font was selected to evoke associations with geometry, engineering, and precise shapes. Despite its structured design, the curves within the characters are smooth and gradual, not sharp or abrupt.
Colour
The colours used in the GMC logo are bold red and sleek silver. Red represents dynamism and adventure, while silver conveys modernity and sophistication. Together, they create a striking visual identity that reflects GMC’s values of durability and excellence.
Finally
The various iterations of the GMC logo prove the brand’s ability to adapt while staying true to its core values. Right from its humble beginnings to becoming an iconic symbol recognised globally, the GMC logo captures over a century of automotive heritage and innovation.