\nGMC<\/a> has always been General Motors’ truck and SUV marque, but the brand could break new ground if it decides to build a small urban vehicle based on the Granite concept<\/a> from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show<\/a>. The Granite would likely be smaller and less rough-and-tumble than any other vehicle in the GMC lineup while also carrying a lower base price tag. If GM’s “Professional Grade” brand builds a Granite-like vehicle it could take the marketing road less traveled; television-less advertising.<\/p>\n Buick-GMC advertising director Steve Rosenblum has reportedly told Automotive News<\/em> that the next step for GMC could be a four-passenger vehicle that slots below the Terrain<\/a>, and the Granite certainly fits that bill. Rosenblum went on to hypothesize that a Granite-sized vehicle would be heavily marketed to car buyers under age 35, and that its marketing campaign could be focused almost entirely on the Internet. And the tried-and-true “Professional Grade” tagline? GMC could exclude it from Granite ads, says Rosenblum. Hmmm…<\/p>\n GMC could also focus its marketing dollars on “smart phone” advertising. Rosenblum says that by 2011, two-thirds of cell phone users under age 40 will own a smart phone. One application the ad team designed is a brochure for the Granite with bar code designs that can be read by smart phones. The codes would then lead interested parties to a website with features about the Granite, along with a social networking site where interested parties could chat with designers. <\/p>\n Is the Granite a smart direction for GM to be taking with GMC, or is it a bridge too far? Have your say in Comments.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Gallery: Detroit 2010: GMC Granite Concept<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Gallery: GMC Granite Concept<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \n[Source: Automotive News<\/a> – sub. req.]<\/p>\n GMC to drop TV, harness the power of the interwebs to market Granite. You know, if it gets built.<\/a> originally appeared on Autoblog<\/a> on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read<\/a> | Permalink<\/a> | Email this<\/a> | Comments<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/78a52_gmc-granite-concept.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/78a52_gmc-granite-concept-live_17_thumbnail.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/78a52_gmc-granite-concept-live_16_thumbnail.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/78a52_gmc-granite-concept-live_01_thumbnail.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/78a52_gmc-granite-concept-live_02_thumbnail.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/78a52_gmc-granite-concept-live_06_thumbnail.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/78a52_gmcgraniteconcept000_thumbnail.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/78a52_gmcgraniteconcept001_thumbnail.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/78a52_gmcgraniteconcept002_thumbnail.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/78a52_gmcgraniteconcept003_thumbnail.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/4159b_gmcgraniteconcept004_thumbnail.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/h6>\n