EDMONTON, Alta. – General Motors (GM) gave truckers their first glimpse at its new line of medium-duty trucks at Truxpo – and the message was loud and clear.

The company is serious about raising the bar in the medium-duty truck market.

Acknowledging demand is increasing for quality medium-duty trucks, GM wasn’t afraid to boast about the fruits of its most recent labor.

“We are expanding our product lineup and this is just the beginning,” says GM’s segment brand manager, Joe Aiello. “We have a simple goal, which is to establish GM trucks as the best in class by demonstrating the product’s superiority in life cycle advantages over the competition.”

GM’s new line of trucks, marketed as the C4500, C5500, C6500, C7500 and C8500 – feature enhancements in at least two key areas: visibility and maneuverability.

Brand product planner, Will Bachewich, says the new models allow the driver to see the ground just 13.8 feet from in front of the chrome, compared to the competition’s best effort of 21.8 feet.

Meanwhile, the model’s 35 feet of required turning diameter is significantly less than competing units.

“We moved the front axle back slightly, increased the suspension, went with a new type of steering gear and we’re now able to have best in class maneuverability,” says Bachewich.

GM’s latest venture into the medium-duty market will be available in two different families.

The C4500 and C5500 models are intended for the towing and recovery business, agricultural applications and food distribution, among other things.

Meanwhile, the C6500, C7500 and C8500 models will be targeted toward heavier applications.

Customers can choose from three gross vehicle weight ratings (16,000, 18,000 and 19,500lb), three cab configurations and a total of 14 wheel base ranges.

All models feature a sloped, aerodynamic hood design and a slanted windshield.

And do-it-yourselfers will be pleased to know the engine’s convenient design places all fluid compartments within easy reach.

Under the hood, customers can choose between two powertrains. The Duramax diesel engine, Bachewich says is half as noisy as the competition.

“It sounds like a noisy gasoline engine, but definitely not a noisy diesel engine,” he concedes.