GMC Marks 25 Years of Denali

The sub-brand of Denali has now been a fixture at GMC for 25 years, prompting the company to launch a special edition package marking the milestone. But rather than taking the opportunity to include 25-inch wheels, they’ve *only* stuck 24s on the thing. Cowards.

We jest, of course. GMC is adding a special 25th Anniversary package onto the options sheet for its Yukon SUV, available to be layered on top of a Denali or Denali Ultimate trim. It’ll all be blacked-out appearance items of course, including the likes of those 24-inch wheels and a mesh grille with an illuminated GMC badge plus black nameplates and mirror caps. Other than that gratuita, the machine appears to be a typical Yukon Denali, laden with sumptuous interior trappings and (preferably) a honkin’ big V8 engine.

Over 2 million Denali-trimmed SUVs and pickup trucks have been delivered in the States since the trim first appeared. So far this year, Denali has accounted for over 30 percent of retail sales in GMC stores. It says something about its name recognition when nearly one in every three machines rolling off yer lot bears the badge. 

It isn’t uncommon for customers who aren’t gearheads to simply refer to their rig as “a Denali” instead of by its actual model name, causing headaches and furrowed brows for GM service writers across the nation. Such a phenomenon happens from time to time, particularly when the trim is seen as a big step above proletariat trims – even if that’s just a result of effective marketing. Utilizing a pleasant and easy-to-say slightly exotic-sounding word doesn’t hurt, either. 

Those of us with long (and weird) memories might recall Mercury tripped into this same good fortune with its Villager Nautica minivan, though that brand failed to capitalize on the opportunity. Imagine the spectre of a Grand Marquis Nautica with blue-and-white seats; the thing’s already a boat, so why not? And no hate – I’ve owned several Grand Marquis sedans. Not sure about the prospects of a Topaz Nautica, though that model was in its final year when the trim appeared on the Nissan-sourced minivan. A blue Mystique Nautica might have worked, though. Anyway.

Spox say there will be fewer than 3,000 copies made available worldwide, so keep that in mind when you’re bidding on one at Barrett-Jackson in thirty years.

[Images: GMC]

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