Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Car Culture

NewSpeak From Detroit: GMC Pitches “Tool For Urban Living”

Granite.jpgNothing represents city life like a miniaturized SUV. Image: NYT

In a turn of phrase straight out of "1984," Detroit is touting a new concept car as a "tool for urban living."

At this week's Detroit auto show, the industry's premier showcase, GMC revealed its Granite concept car. The truck and SUV manufacturer, which owes its very existence to government largesse, put forward this subcompact-sized car styled as a full-size SUV as a way to rebrand itself as modern and urban.

GMC seems to equate "urban living" with "parallel parking" --  the Granite would be two feet shorter than GMC's next-smallest vehicle. It's no Yukon XL, but the basic big truck aesthetic with its boxy shape and monster grille remains unchanged.

Imagine walking across the street in front of this thing. Imagine being a third-grader walking to school in front of it. Would you even be able to make eye contact with the driver? Not that you're likely to find out, as "production is a long shot," according to Wheels.

Sadly, New York City once used GMC buses  -- real tools for urban living -- as part of its transit fleet. The division also sells a brand of bike, each creepily named after one of its SUVs.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Why No BRT For NYC? Two New Reports Tackle Why Your Bus Service Sucks

Years of bus priority projects barely made a dent in speeds because Big Apple leaders won't install real bus rapid transit, two recent reports argue.

July 11, 2025

Citi Bike Riders Are Pissed About Eric Adams’s 15 MPH Speed Limit

Citi Bike's new 15 mph max speed limit is a bad deal for riders and a potential threat to safety, riders said.

July 11, 2025

Friday Video: Cyclists, Check Out Your Next City

Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson visited London earlier this summer to check in on the Big Smoke's cycling revolution.

July 11, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Just the News Edition

We've got one more workday before we can hit the beach. Plus the news.

July 11, 2025

Council To Close Instacart Loophole, Pass Delivery Industry Regulation Bills

The City Council will vote on Monday the "Instacart loophole" and force all app companies to pay workers a minimum wage.

July 10, 2025

‘Blood On His Hands’: Cyclists Slam Eric Adams After Judge Lets Him Remove Brooklyn Bike Lane

Mayor Adams will have “blood on his hands” for his decision to rip up three blocks of the popular protected bike lane.

July 10, 2025
See all posts