Even before GM killed Pontiac it was focusing the brand more tightly on performance cars like the Solstice and G8. So the Pontiac Torrent was replaced by the GMC Terrain and the Vibe was rumored to be in its final generation.

With Pontiac winding down, the Vibe is now definitely in its final model year. But while the Terrain fits the GMC (Truck) brand better than the Torrent ever fit in with Pontiac, can a compact crossover possibly make sense as a GMC–which is supposed to be about “professional grade” trucks?

At the 2010 NAIAS GMC provided an answer, or at least the beginning of one, with the introduction of the Granite concept. This concept, based on the Delta II compact car platform like the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze sedan and Orlando crossover, seems fairly certain for production, given the need to replace the Vibe.

Of course, GM could have opted to create a Buick for this segment. But they’ve apparently glanced about and noted the popularity of compact boxes like the Scion xB, Nissan cube, and Kia Soul. Buicks are curvy. A box is clearly a better fit with GMC.

The Granite is an attractive box as boxes go. There’s some similarity to the Jeep Compass and Patriot. If anything, Granite is more car-like and style-driven than either. The Patriot has only been accepted as a Jeep by some of the brand’s fans, and the Compass by hardly anyone. Will car buyers be any more open to a GMC that’s much more car than truck?

In this case, it might help that GMC lacks Jeep’s fanatical base. People think less about what a GMC is, and so might be more open to something that stretches the brand’s identity.