Trucks

GMC and AEV Reveal Sierra Grande Concept at SEMA: Overlanding Goes Heavy-Duty

GMC and AEV team up for the Sierra Grande Concept — a tray-bed, overland-ready beast that redefines heavy-duty adventure rigs at SEMA 2023.

Zoey M

08 Oct 2025 — 2 min read

The GMC Sierra Grande Concept combines AEV engineering with a bold tray-bed design — a vision of what overlanding looks like when done heavy-duty.

Grande indeed.
(2023 Archive)

The partnership between GMC and American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) has been one of the most exciting alliances in off-road engineering. From the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison to the GMC Sierra AT4X AEV, the two brands have transformed factory trucks into overland-ready beasts. Now, they’ve taken it a step further with the Sierra Grande Concept — a high-clearance, tray-bed-equipped monster that revives a classic GMC nameplate from decades past.

The Sierra Grande Concept: Built to Conquer Anything

The Sierra Grande Concept represents AEV’s vision of how far they can push the already capable GMC Sierra HD AT4X platform into the realm of extreme adventure rigs. This apocalypse-tier truck trades the standard bed for a unique aluminum tray-bed design, improving cargo flexibility and packing efficiency.

AEV sourced stamped steel bumpers from the Sierra HD AT4X AEV lineup, then added a prototype brush guard, 7000-series off-road lights, and a GM Performance/ComeUP 12.5k winch. It’s not just for looks either — the Sierra Grande looks ready to tow, climb, and pull just about anything out of the wilderness.

Why the Tray Bed Matters

Tray beds might look unconventional in the U.S., but they offer serious advantages. The flat load floor eliminates wheel wells, allowing cargo like crates or equipment to pack efficiently. The fold-down side panels make loading easy from any angle, while the aluminum construction cuts weight without sacrificing toughness.

Of course, there are tradeoffs — the raised bed height can increase the truck’s center of gravity, and the exposed undercarriage components aren’t for everyone. But for those who prize function, durability, and a tactical aesthetic, the Sierra Grande hits all the right notes.

Whether GMC decides to build it or not, the Sierra Grande Concept shows what happens when old-school grit meets modern engineering — a reminder that overlanding isn’t just about the journey, but the machine that takes you there.

AutoZealot Take: The Sierra Grande Concept proves that overlanding isn’t just for mid-sizers anymore. AEV and GMC are pushing heavy-duty adventure rigs into new territory — and we’re here for it.