[2]: 36, 40  Slotted between the largest medium-duty C/K trucks and the GMC General, the Brigadier was a Class 7-8 short-hood conventional similar to the Ford L-Series and Mack Model R. Configured in both straight truck and semi-tractor layouts, the Brigadier saw use in short-haul, vocational, and severe-service applications.

Following the launch of Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation, the Brigadier was marketed under the combined WhiteGMC branding through the 1989 model year.

[2][6] The H/J-Series formed the basis of the C(later N)/M-series trucks,[b] which offered a longer 114–115 in (2,900–2,900 mm) BBC cab; the extra length was in front of the firewall to accommodate larger diesel engines.

For its heavy trucks, GMC adopted a military-related nomenclature, with the H/J series becoming the Brigadier, joining the General and TopKick (a slang term).

[2]: 36, 40 Following the launch of the product line, the GMC Brigadier quickly overtook the Chevrolet Bruin in sales and market share.

While the slow-selling GMC General and Astro were discontinued, Volvo GM initially continued production of the Brigadier.

In mid-1988, Volvo GM re-released the Brigadier as a WhiteGMC (the only GMC truck produced under the joint venture).

For 1990, General Motors redesigned its medium-duty C/K trucks for the first time since 1973, adopting the Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick branding for the model lines.