No, GM And Allison Did Not Break Up: Medium-Duty Trucks Use Allison Transmissions

You’ve heard by now that GM is dropping Allison branding on its 2500HD and 3500HD trucks, which is true. However, as confirmed by Pickup Truck + SUV Talk, it’s not a true breakup. GM is keeping genuine Allison-branded transmissions in its medium-duty trucks. Silverado and Sierra 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD models will continue to use true Allison six-speed commercial-grade automatic transmissions, unchanged and fully branded.

GM Medium-Duty Trucks Will Continue Using Real Allison Transmissions

GM’s medium-duty trucks, designed for vocational use, fleet service, upfitting, and sustained high-load operation, will continue to rely on Allison-built transmissions, which are specifically designed to meet those demands. There is no licensing issue, no rebrand, and no equipment change in this segment. If you buy a GM medium-duty truck, it will still be backed by a genuine Allison Transmission unit.

Why Is GM Dropping The Allison Name On Silverado 2500HD/3500HD Pickups For 2026?

GM’s license to use the Allison Transmission trademark on Silverado 2500HD/3500HD and Sierra 2500HD/3500HD pickup trucks expires at the end of 2025. This licensing agreement had allowed GM to market its internally engineered 10-speed automatic as an “Allison,” even though the transmission itself had long been a GM-built unit.

Beginning with early December 2025 production, HD pickups no longer carry Allison badging. Dealers have been instructed not to create new advertising or marketing materials referencing Allison trademarks on newly produced trucks that do not have Allison badges.

Does Losing The Allison Badge Change Anything For Duramax Owners?

What matters most to diesel owners is that the transmission itself remains unchanged. GM will continue to use the same 10-speed automatic transmission behind the Duramax diesel. Tow ratings, shift behavior, durability expectations, and real-world performance remain tied to the hardware and calibration, not the name on the badge.

GM Dealer Sell-Down Window And Allison Badge Removal Explained

Dealers are permitted a limited sell-down period to market and sell existing HD pickup inventory that still carries Allison branding. That window runs through June 29, 2026. After that date, any remaining new trucks will be retrofitted with non-Allison badges, and all Allison-related marketing materials must be removed. If you want an Allison-branded GM HD, now’s a good time to make a deal at your local dealership. Used vehicles with Allison badging are not affected and may continue to be marketed and sold without restriction.

Does Separating The Allison Name Actually Make Sense For GM?

Regardless of the fine print behind the decision, this change draws a clearer line between consumer-grade transmissions and commercial-duty Allison transmissions. GM is not walking away from Allison. Instead, it is “reserving” the Allison name for the trucks that actually use Allison-built transmissions.

Here’s the bottom line: for medium-duty buyers, nothing changes. For consumer three-quarter-ton and one-ton HD pickup owners, nothing mechanical is taken away. The badge is leaving, but the capability remains. And if you see a non-Allison Duramax badge, it’s likely a model-year 2026.

FAQ

 Is GM Still Using Allison Transmissions In 2026?
Yes. GM continues to utilize genuine Allison transmissions in its Silverado and Sierra 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD medium-duty trucks.

Are HD Pickups Losing The Allison Transmission?
Trick question. The name, yes. Modern Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD pickups will retain the same GM-built 10-speed automatic. Only the Allison branding is being removed.

Why Is GM Dropping The Allison Name On pickups?
GM’s license to use the Allison Transmission trademark on HD pickups expires at the end of 2025 and is not being renewed. It’s unclear if reliability issues played any role in the decision.

Will Towing Or Reliability Change For Duramax Pickups?
No. There is no mechanical change associated with this decision. Performance and capability remain the same.

Can Dealers Still Sell Trucks With Allison Badges?
Yes. Dealers may sell existing new inventory with Allison badging through June 29, 2026. After that date, new trucks cannot be sold or advertised with Allison branding.

What About Used Trucks With Allison Badges?
Used vehicles are not affected and can continue to be marketed and sold without impact.

An Announcement To Dealers

How do we know any of this? The content of this letter, posted by TFL Truck, instructs Chevrolet and GMC dealers on the licensing changes.

Updated Date: 10/14/25, 01:19 PM CDT

Chevrolet and GMC Dealers,

General Motors’ license to use Allison Transmission trademarks in connection with Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks (the “License Agreement”) will expire at the end of the day on December 31, 2025. Upon expiration, all sublicenses to authorized dealers also automatically terminate.

Following expiration of the License Agreement, GM and its authorized dealers are permitted a single 180-day period, from January 1, 2026 through June 29, 2026, to market, advertise, and sell their remaining inventory of products bearing the licensed Allison marks, provided all such uses remain compliant with the terms of the License Agreement.

What this means for you:

Beginning with early December production, Silverado and Sierra HD trucks will no longer be equipped with Allison-badged transmissions. As of this date, you must not create or publish new advertising and marketing materials using Allison trademarks for newly produced Silverado and Sierra HD 2500/3500 units that do not carry Allison badging.

You may, however, continue to market, advertise, and sell on-hand inventory that bears Allison trademarks through the 180-day sell-down window, ending on June 29, 2026. After that date, any and all use of Allison marks to promote and sell new Allison-badged inventory must cease. To that end, by June 29, 2026, you must also pull down all digital and website references, remove point of sale materials, and discontinue the publishing of any advertising materials that use or reference Allison marks.

Prior to June 29, 2026, GM will initiate a field action to retrofit any remaining Allison badged dealer inventory with a non-Allison badge. Again, this is required as GM dealers will not be permitted to advertise or sell new Allison-badged inventory after June 29, 2026. More details will be shared at a later date.

The termination of the License Agreement does not restrict your ability to market and sell used vehicles bearing Allison badges.

Please contact your District Manager with any questions.