GM VIN Numbers: Decoding Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac VINs

Long Pattern Editorial

General Motors uses dozens of WMI codes across its brands and global plants. This guide covers the GM VIN structure for all major brands.

General Motors is the largest US automaker by production volume, and its VIN structure spans dozens of WMI codes across four major brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac. Understanding GM's encoding helps verify vehicles across a wide range of trucks, SUVs, cars, and electric vehicles.

GM WMI Codes by Brand

GM allocates separate WMI codes to each brand and vehicle type:

  • 1G1 — Chevrolet passenger cars, United States
  • 1GC — Chevrolet trucks, United States
  • 1GT — GMC trucks, United States
  • 1GY — Cadillac SUVs, United States
  • 1G6 — Cadillac passenger cars, United States
  • 1G4 — Buick passenger cars, United States
  • 2G1 — Chevrolet passenger cars, Canada
  • 3G1 — Chevrolet passenger cars, Mexico

See all GM codes on the GM manufacturer page.

GM Plant Codes

Key GM assembly plant codes:

  • 5 — Bowling Green, KY (Corvette)
  • T — Arlington, TX (Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon)
  • U — Lordstown, OH (Chevrolet Cruze, historically)
  • R — Orion, MI (Bolt EV, Bolt EUV)
  • Z — Fort Wayne, IN (Silverado, Sierra)

GM's VDS Structure

GM's Vehicle Descriptor Section uses position 4 for restraint systems, position 5 for series/brand differentiation in mixed-brand plants, and positions 6–8 for body style and engine. GM's encoding is complex and varies significantly between car, truck, and SUV lines.

Electric GM Vehicles

The Chevrolet Bolt EV, Bolt EUV, and upcoming Silverado EV use WMI codes consistent with their brand and plant assignments. The NHTSA vPIC database explicitly identifies electric powertrains in its output — our VIN decoder will show "Electric" as the fuel type for these vehicles.