If you're interested in learning more about how the first-ever GMC HUMMER EV came to be - and seeing footage of GM’s testing and development facilities never before seen by the public – mark your calendar for this Sunday, March 27th. That's when GMC and A+E Networks will premiere of “REVOLUTION: GMC HUMMER EV,” a new documentary showcasing the development of the all-electric supertruck.
The one-hour documentary will first air on the DRIVE block on The HISTORY Channel this Sunday at 11 a.m. ET. The film follows the hand-selected group of General Motors team members who helped launch the GMC's first all-electric pickup in record time – just over two years. GMC says the documentary crew had full access and viewers will go behind the scenes of key moments in the development of the GMC HUMMER EV, from inception to start of production.
Here is a preview:
“Our goal was to upend what an electric vehicle is capable of and push the boundaries from 100 years of vehicle development experience,” said Josh Tavel, executive chief engineer. “This documentary captures the soul of a team capable of incredible innovation and resilience. Their learnings are laying the foundation of vehicle development for decades to come.”
GMC says it selected Detroit-based WTP Pictures and Hiatus to produce the film, and director Sean King O’Grady to bring the team’s journey to life. Viewers will follow the team's adventures in the freezing temperatures of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as they test the limits of the GMC HUMMER EV on snow and ice. Then, head to the scorching heat and steep red rocks of Moab, Utah, as the team fine-tunes the truck’s off-road capability. Along the way, GMC says viewers will dive deeper into GM’s testing and development facilities – previously unseen by the public – including the storied halls of the GM Design building at the Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, and the company’s rigorous proving grounds in Milford, Michigan, and Yuma, Arizona.
Viewers will also go inside the massive undertaking to build out and retool GM’s Factory ZERO Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. The documentary also showcases the development of GM’s Ultium Platform, a dedicated EV architecture and propulsion system that provides flexible applications in nearly every type of vehicle. Alongside the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV, GM says this trifecta reinforces the company's commitment to an all-electric future.
Credit: GMC.
“The story we discovered while filming was far more fascinating than anything we could have hoped for,” said O’Grady. “We witnessed a bold and passionate team bring GM’s first major entry into this extraordinary transformation of the auto industry. This was an incredible opportunity to go deep behind the scenes of the development process to discover what it takes to bring a vehicle to life, and to capture this moment in automotive history as it happened.”
Throughout the documentary, viewers will also see how the team developed industry-leading innovations, including the available CrabWalk and the revolutionary Watts to Freedom launch control mode.
“Throughout the film, we incorporated imagery of the team fine-tuning the GMC HUMMER EV and testing across a variety of rugged terrains and cutting-edge industrial settings,” said Jesse Ford, founder of WTP Pictures and producer of the film. “We’re excited to show audiences how hobbies and experiences inspired real world features like CrabWalk.”
If you miss the premiere Sunday (or forget to record it), you can catch an encore on FYI on Thursday, March 31, at 9 p.m. ET. Viewers will also be able to stream it via History on Hulu and History.com on Sunday, March 27 as well as on GMC’s YouTube channel starting Sunday, April 3.
“A+E Networks is proud to collaborate with GMC to bring car enthusiasts behind the scenes of the making of the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV, GMC’s first all-electric vehicle,” said Mike Buccella, vice president, Enthusiast Ad Sales, A+E Networks. “DRIVE viewers on The HISTORY Channel and FYI have an incredible passion for automotive innovation and adventure and this documentary delivers those in spades.”
GMC HUMMER EV production started in late 2021 at GM’s Factory ZERO Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center. The first customer deliveries began in December of last year and will continue throughout this year. GMC’s electric lineup will expand with the 2024 GMC HUMMER EV SUV, which will go into production in early 2023, and the all-electric Sierra Denali.
Want to reserve an available model? Visit GMC.com/HummerEV.
Photo Credit: GMC.