Pontiac Dies: GMC Spared to Continue

[Nine Ball]

http://www.planetlsx.com/news/Pontiac_Dies__GMC_Spared/72

:(

:willy:

Discuss!

[pultry]

its like owning an Oldsmobile now

[will69camaro]

Formula price just jumped 5k!

HAHA,
William

[Z Fury]

Does this seal the fate of the G8 Firehawk?

:lol:

In all seriousness, I hate to see Pontiac die off. I really like the new G8s, and I think their entire lineup is pretty consistent with people's wants/needs today.

[Skill]

We all knew this was coming. What does that mean for the G8? Just a 2 year run, and no 2010 cars?

[pultry]

hahaha

so maybe in a decade the G8 GXP will be the million dollar car at Barret Jackson?

[Nine Ball]

I'm wondering how many adhesive Chevy emblems will need to be ordered to slap over the top of the remaining Pontiac inventories. Get your Chevrolet G8! Or would it be a GMC G8?

This sucks. :(

[ls1fbodyfan]

Wow this blows... and yet they kept GMC?

[Nine Ball]

GMC was still making a profit. Quite a few fleet truck sales and heavy equipment trucks are still GMC.

[Go FasTA]

Definitely a bummer. What's so unfortunate is that I believe Pontiac was finally starting to build some nice cars. I love my G8! I had to drive a brand new G6 while some paint work was being done on my G8. I was pleasantly surprised by the G6. It didn't feel like the typical GM car at all. Fit and finish were nice. Materials were much improved. And the car was a pleasure to drive. I wonder if the brand just has a stigma at this point with buyers?

[Nine Ball]

Andy, what stigma do you speak of?

http://cache.jalopnik.com/cars/assets/resources/2007/08/01_PontiacAztek.jpg

:jest: (that one is for Big Bronco when he reads this)

Damn side cladding they used on several years:

http://imgs.getauto.com/imgs/ag/ga/64/20/1/1G2NE12T61M546420-1.jpg

[chupr0kabra]

It's a shame, but necessary, under the circumstances. If GM survives, gets to be a better-managed company, and the economy eventually strengthens, there's no reason they couldn't bring back the Pontiac name/badge for a select few vehicles.

Not the Aztec, thought. Ew.


-Mike

[Go FasTA]

Andy, what stigma do you speak of?

http://cache.jalopnik.com/cars/assets/resources/2007/08/01_PontiacAztek.jpg

:jest: (that one is for Big Bronco when he reads this)

Damn side cladding they used on several years:

http://imgs.getauto.com/imgs/ag/ga/64/20/1/1G2NE12T61M546420-1.jpg

I thought those were the glory days. Am I wrong? Who didn't drool over the Azztek?!

[92builtbird]

My dad owns a '67 GTO. First year of the Ram air.
And I have a Pontiac also.

Needless to say, I'm pissed.
:ripped:

[Skill]

My dad owns a '67 GTO. First year of the Ram air.
And I have a Pontiac also.

Needless to say, I'm pissed.
:ripped:



Why? Your car isn't going anywhere. Pontiac hasn't built anything recently that was worthy of a second glance outside of the Firebird, GTO, Solstice, and G8. Swap the G8 to a Chevrolet model, and ax 'em.

[chaman]

God...I hate Gm so much. They should have axe Buick instead.

[patriotformula]

the thing I can't understand is why they chose to keep 2 luxury line vehicles (Buick and Cadillac) while axing one of their more profitable divisions (Pontiac). We'll see if this is in fact true on Monday, however, I'm still in amazement at their decision. I would have much rather seen Buick go then Pontiac. However, if the G8 still lives after this I won't be as disappointed. I test drove a GT the other day and was thoroughly impressed.

[92builtbird]

Why? Your car isn't going anywhere. Pontiac hasn't built anything recently that was worthy of a second glance outside of the Firebird, GTO, Solstice, and G8. Swap the G8 to a Chevrolet model, and ax 'em.

I know that. But it is still pretty depressing/sad if you ask me.
Same situation when Chevy cut the Camaro. The cars were still there, but it was rather depressing nonetheless.

[HYBRED]

I read somewhere that the same designer responsible for the Aztek also did the C6. I can't remember where I read it though.

[vanillagorilla]

the thing I can't understand is why they chose to keep 2 luxury line vehicles (Buick and Cadillac) while axing one of their more profitable divisions (Pontiac). We'll see if this is in fact true on Monday, however, I'm still in amazement at their decision. I would have much rather seen Buick go then Pontiac. However, if the G8 still lives after this I won't be as disappointed. I test drove a GT the other day and was thoroughly impressed.

Buick is huge in the Asian markets overseas. Also Buick has one if the best if not the best quality ratings. I agree though, Buick better do something because their US market dying by the minute. Literally.

This is truely sad to see since I feel that Pontiac was starting to produce some real exciting cars..the DI turbo Solstice and the G8 variants. I own 2 GMC's and would not be upset if they axed it. I completely understand. I mean everybody already calls my Sierra a Chevy, and my Typhoon a Blazer. :toilet:

There's no need to have multiple parts, and tooling for trucks that only differ in the front ends. Slap some bowties on them and be done with it. That should save money.

[NJSPEEDER]

I have to say I think GM is doing it wrong again. GMC does not supply a single vehicle that is unique beyond the extra price and a different grill. Everything underneath is just a Chevy truck

Pontiac on the other hand has several unique vehicles and the reputation of providing better styling and more standard features on shared platforms.

At this point I have to wonder if the powers that be at GM are even trying. From largest automotive supplier in the world to class clown in under 3 decades, way to go guys.

[patriotformula]

I own 2 GMC's and would not be upset if they axed it. I completely understand. I mean everybody already calls my Sierra a Chevy, and my Typhoon a Blazer. :toilet:

There's no need to have multiple parts, and tooling for trucks that only differ in the front ends. Slap some bowties on them and be done with it. That should save money.


Very true... the same lines as Plymouth when Chrysler cut it... same cars, different name. What's the point!?

[kerryt1]

Bad decision, IMO. I would have like to have seen them make GMC a heavy-duty only line, and sell only the G8 and Solstice until the end of their life cycles.

The G5 and G6 are unnecessary.

[HYBRED]

The G5 and G6 are unnecessary.

The G6 is competition for the Accord and the Camry, two of the best selling cars out there. How exactly is it unnecessary? Not everyone wants a big sedan.

[Randy_S]

GMC was still making a profit. Quite a few fleet truck sales and heavy equipment trucks are still GMC.

I still think that GMC as a whole could be dropped. Nothing is made by GMC that Chevrolet does not sale or could not sale with a different name. Hell, they could just give buyers the option of the front end/tail lights to make as their own. It would cut down on the ever sitting stock of trucks.

They won't stop selling Buick because in the world market, it sells well.

[wannafbody]

Maybe the G6 and G8 will be badged as Chevys or Buicks. Looks like Obama just screwed up again-and this is a lasting screw up with his fingers all over it.

[maybelooking]

http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/24/autos/pontiac_obit/index.htm

sucks a big one.

[landstuhltaylor]

My main concern is how does this affect GM parts for these vehicles 10 years or so down the road.

[Slowhand]

Maybe the G6 and G8 will be badged as Chevys or Buicks. Looks like Obama just screwed up again-and this is a lasting screw up with his fingers all over it.

they were going down one way or the other

[Detoxx]

This is very sad news

[Pipelayaz]

Ahhhhhhhh!!! :willy:

[WILWAXU]

Hope the G8 gets moved over to Chevy or some other brand.

[92builtbird]

It's bullshit. If American people were more patriotic, and bought American cars, we would not have this problem.

A shame, I tell ya...

[goatdevil]

I have 2 american cars right now as we speak. I have had 4 GM products in the last 2 years 2 Pontiac and 2 Chevy. Not cheap to have a C5, Avalanche, GTO and a Firebird with in 2 years. I make less than 25,000 a year in the Military. I dont get why people are just defaulting on houses and cars. I pay my bills and still live VERY comfortably. I can say my wife has a Honda but that is what she wants. She had an 05 Cavilier before that. Honestly it was crap. Less than 20,000 miles and burnt oil, clear coat was not so clear any more. All the normal stuff. It was a 2.2. there is no way it should burn as much oil as my Avalanche 5.3 or my GTO 6.0 does. I think that 5 American and 2 Japan vechicles in 2 years is a good ratio. ( I bought a Celica for dirt cheap at one point to flip a profit on.) Is and was everything so overinflated that the bubble just burst? I am kinda sheltered from the storm with my job.

[The Manalishi]

As an owner of a Pontiac I am disappointed of course. As a rational person I can understand it. Do I wish they would of axed something else sure I do. If you look at it though it makes sense. GMC is profitable, that guarantees safety, Buick sells very well overseas and its a HUGE market, again its safe. Cadillac is the last pure luxury brand in the US that sells well so that saves it for now. Saturn will die soon on the pure fact that they don't sell since they became Oldsmobile with a different name. Hummer I don't need to discuss their demise is obvious. Saab will be bought by a Swedish company when the price hits the lowest point. The only one left without a gimme was Pontiac and their lineup wasn't impressive except for the G* and the Solstice. One a rebadged Holden and the other a twin of another car. It was doomed. I'm happy nowing that I can go get a Camaro and it makes my Pontiac all that more unique. I'm selling it so maybe this will help, I doubt it.

[kevin99hoss]

this sucks they need to rebadge the G8 as a Monte Carlo or Lumina SS like they do overseas

[Pinky93]

Tis' a sad day, brothers and sisters....... The GTO started it all. :(

This government of ours doesn't want us to even have a car that can't get out of it's own way....

[NA$TY-TA]

Im sad.... I need another Pontiac..... Maybe the wife would want another TA....... (I dont think its gunna happen :( )

[tones2SS]

So, are going to DROP Pontiac completely or will they be a car that is "ordered" through like a Chevy dealership?
It's a shame.

[JUICED96Z]

So, are going to DROP Pontiac completely or will they be a car that is "ordered" through like a Chevy dealership?
It's a shame.

As far as I can tell Pontiac is going out the door completley..... in your way of thinking they would just be getting rid of the dealerships...........

GMC has a lot of sales in the fleet/commercial side of things...... besides that its just Chevy to me....... A GMC Serreria is the same as a Silverado to me. Just different badging............ Same for the vans...... I say axe those lines on GMC... in other words..... I think GMC could get the axe all together and people not care... it's the same cars and trucks haha.

[Pro Stock John]

I hate to see Pontiac go, but I'm sure that GM's folks have spent hundreds, maybe thousands of hours plotting what to do about the brands going forward. I'd love to see the G8 continue as a Buick or Chevy product.

[JUICED96Z]

http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/autos-pontiac-dies-monday-reports-say/

[wannafbody]

maybe the Monte carlo will be reincarnated.

[will69camaro]

I hope the G8 gets moved to chevy. Hoping for a "chevelle" or a malibu SS or a Montecarlo would be cool also. Just put the holden nose on it (no pontiac grills please) and a bowtie. Make it happen!

[Z Fury]

Tis' a sad day, brothers and sisters....... The GTO started it all. :(

This government of ours doesn't want us to even have a car that can't get out of it's own way....

I'm no fan of the current government, but blaming this on them is just wrong. GM has been spiraling down the shitter for years now - through no fault of the government.

I'm very hopeful that the G6 and G8 can be spared somehow. Those are great cars with very friendly price tags.

[Z Fury]

GMC has a lot of sales in the fleet/commercial side of things...... besides that its just Chevy to me....... A GMC Serreria is the same as a Silverado to me. Just different badging............ Same for the vans...... I say axe those lines on GMC... in other words..... I think GMC could get the axe all together and people not care... it's the same cars and trucks haha.

I think I heard somewhere that GMC truck owners, at least some of them, were extremely loyal, and do not agree that a Sierra is the same as a Silverado. I do agree with you that it is completely redundant (Silverado/Sierra, Tahoe/Yukon, TB/Envoy, Colorado/Canyon), but they don't want to risk pissing off the GMC loyalists and having them leave GM completely.

[Nine Ball]

I hope the G8 gets moved to chevy. Hoping for a "chevelle" or a malibu SS or a Montecarlo would be cool also. Just put the holden nose on it (no pontiac grills please) and a bowtie. Make it happen!

Please do not use "Monte Carlo" ever again. That name isn't worth a thing as far as cool factor. LOL!

Chevrolet sells the G8 overseas as a "Lumina SS". That would make it simple to move here, they already have the parts for it.

http://www.autoclub.com.au/uploaded_images/chevrolet-lumina-ss-2007-798350.jpg

http://www.carsinaction.net/userfiles/image/newsletters/lb_3209%20chevss%20f.jpg

[will69camaro]

Should have done that in the first place IMO. That front bumper looks very similar to a Holden counterpart with the grill replaced with the bar/bowtie combo. That car looks GOOD. I think "Chevelle" would be cool if they had the rights to the name still. Maybe worth while since it's a "big" car with power. Heritage is what they're trying to promote with the new camaro etc, maybe a decent addition to the lineup!

That car looks good (Lumina SS!) but "Lumina" doesn't strike me as having "cool factor" either.

http://www.las-vegas-used-auto-parts.com/images/chevy-lumina-1997.jpg

[Pinky93]

I'm no fan of the current government, but blaming this on them is just wrong. GM has been spiraling down the shitter for years now - through no fault of the government.

I'm very hopeful that the G6 and G8 can be spared somehow. Those are great cars with very friendly price tags.


You are right that this is not the fault of the current government, that is not what I implied...... It is the fault of GM for being too fat and happy with the way things were to make a change until it was too late!

My comment about the current government is still true, they see no need for muscle cars, only fuel efficient models. That is the world we are left to deal with......for now. The pendlum always continues to swing..... :)

[Flaring Afro]

^ eh, with the new honda out i dont think there will be too many more laws to make it harder to own/sell a muscle car.

i think it would be beneficial to make the g8 a buick. its definitely something younger people are interested in so it might help that brand. all other current pontiacs are useless. there's a lot of new cars in my area, and i never really see a g6. it was competing with the camry and accord, but it wasnt doing much of a job of it.

[Pinky93]

^ eh, with the new honda out i dont think there will be too many more laws to make it harder to own/sell a muscle car.

i think it would be beneficial to make the g8 a buick. its definitely something younger people are interested in so it might help that brand. all other current pontiacs are useless. there's a lot of new cars in my area, and i never really see a g6. it was competing with the camry and accord, but it wasnt doing much of a job of it.


Cool avatar! :)

[Skill]

^ eh, with the new honda out i dont think there will be too many more laws to make it harder to own/sell a muscle car.

i think it would be beneficial to make the g8 a buick. its definitely something younger people are interested in so it might help that brand. all other current pontiacs are useless. there's a lot of new cars in my area, and i never really see a g6. it was competing with the camry and accord, but it wasnt doing much of a job of it.


I don't like the G6, but it is actually a fairly nice car at a decent price. I see tons of them in my area daily, and they seem to be a popular car. Being domestic-loyal, like a ton of consumers in this country, I would buy one over the Camry/Accord if I was in the market.

[Z Fury]

I don't like the G6, but it is actually a fairly nice car at a decent price. I see tons of them in my area daily, and they seem to be a popular car. Being domestic-loyal, like a ton of consumers in this country, I would buy one over the Camry/Accord if I was in the market.

Being male, I wouldn't want to own a G6, but I still think it is a very nice vehicle. I had a G6 GT as a rental last December while in Vegas. I took it to the Hoover Dam, and out into California (through the mountains). It holds the road very well, was an absolute pleasure to drive, and maintained an average of 31 mpg (yes, even in the mountains) for the entire time I had it. I would have no objection whatsoever if the girlfriend wanted one of these.

By cutting this car out, GM is really forcing the Malibu (and possibly the Impala) to stand up against the Civics/Accords.

I do like the thought of a G8 carrying the Buick badge though. It would definitely add to the popularity of the Buick name here in the states, and maybe shed some of the "Buick = old person's vehicle" stigma that the brand carries.

[NHRAMAN]

I am MAD as hell................:willy:

[Flaring Afro]

I don't like the G6, but it is actually a fairly nice car at a decent price. I see tons of them in my area daily, and they seem to be a popular car. Being domestic-loyal, like a ton of consumers in this country, I would buy one over the Camry/Accord if I was in the market.

weird because people arent import crazy here or anything i just dont see them. also, i wouldnt go the the point of saying i'd buy a car just because domestic (at least as far as jobs). Import companies have headquarters here too, and the rx8 (or mx6, i just remember its one of them) is built in the USA, while ours were built in canada...

Cool avatar! :)
Thanks

[Nine Ball]

Doesn't matter where things are built. What matters is where the profits end up at the bottom line. Japanese companies do employ people to build cars here, but the end product is the vehicle, and those profits from the sale go back to Japan. Just like GM vehicles sold around the world, those profits come back to GM here in the states. Some can argue that Japanese profits pay the salaries of the Americans who build the cars, but they are missing the point. Salaries are an operating expense, not a profit. Profit is what keeps a company in business. When you buy an import, you aren't keeping an American company in business.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

I havent had a chance to comment but here is a recent article on why.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/27/autos/pontiac_obit/index.htm?postversion=2009042711
Pontiac's problem was not sales, GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson indicated during a conference call Monday. In 2008, Pontiac was the company's third-best selling brand behind Chevrolet and GMC and sold twice as many vehicles as Buick, a brand that will apparently survive the changes at GM.

The problem for Pontiac has been profitability. GM doesn't generally break out profits by brand, but Buick and GMC, which are sold in dealerships alongside Pontiacs, are more profitable, Henderson said.

"We didn't have a strategy that we were satisfied with that would allow us to win with the Pontiac brand," he said.

[59 camaro]

this is a really good thread to read....it sux that this is happening but i guess in the end its good for gm

[99FRC]

Sad day for sure. I liked every Pontiac I ever drove and absolutely LOVED my '89 GTA. The build quality and the amenities were always superior to their Chevrolet counterparts. No offense to any any Z28 owners, but the TransAm is just a nicer car (I actually prefer the looks of the Camaro, though).

[Octane]

Sucks to see Pontiac go away. :(

I'm hoping the G8 moves to another brand.
It could survive as a Chevy easily, and they can even build it in Oshawa.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Sucks to see Pontiac go away. :(

I'm hoping the G8 moves to another brand.
It could survive as a Chevy easily, and they can even build it in Oshawa.

If Gm were smart, they would rebadge the G8 to Chevy and just have a 4 door RWD sedan.

[AlexTheGreat]

I hate it when people say "buy it because it is domestic". I am just as Patriotic as anyone, (I serve in the U.S. Army) but buying things based solely on where they are made will only make things worse for the consumer. You buy the best car for you. If you don't buy domestic vehicles, that is motivation for domestic manufacturers to produce higher quality vehicles.

[99FRC]

I hate it when people say "buy it because it is domestic". I am just as Patriotic as anyone, (I serve in the U.S. Army) but buying things based solely on where they are made will only make things worse for the consumer. You buy the best car for you. If you don't buy domestic vehicles, that is motivation for domestic manufacturers to produce higher quality vehicles.

Agree! That's how we got to the point today where American cars are better than Japanese cars. People quit buying the crap they were puting out and they were forced to improve.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

I hate it when people say "buy it because it is domestic". I am just as Patriotic as anyone, (I serve in the U.S. Army) but buying things based solely on where they are made will only make things worse for the consumer. You buy the best car for you. If you don't buy domestic vehicles, that is motivation for domestic manufacturers to produce higher quality vehicles.

It's good to buy domestic if your supporting smaller, local businesses. The issue with GM is when your buying from an American Based car company that sells cars that are their made out of country, or the parts are out of country. Thats the worse thing, loosing manufacturing jobs.

But with the "Walmart" mentality about things people need to get over themselves, and companies needs to realize that making 8% growth mark annually does not and will not happen.

[11 Bravo]

21,000 jobs lost at basically the direction of the new admin, yet non-educated union members are still set for life. Change you can believe in.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

21,000 jobs lost at basically the direction of the new admin, yet non-educated union members are still set for life. Change you can believe in.

Gm choose to cut the jobs and close Pontiac, and move previous jobs to other countries.

yet again, a very ignorant statement.

Personally I think Obama should do away with NAFTA and reinstate Tariffs on out of country goods. That would incentive to keep things in the USA.

[11 Bravo]

Gm choose to cut the jobs and close Pontiac,

They were pressured by the Obama admin. Actually 'severe pressure" is how it was described. Hell he fired the CEO. GM wanted to keep Pontiac as a niche market. 21,000 jobs gone. And non-educated union members are still set for life. These are all facts, not opinions.

yet again, a very ignorant statement.
That would describe your statement.


Personally I think Obama should do away with NAFTA and reinstate Tariffs on out of country goods. That would incentive to keep things in the USA.
Getting rid of unions and cutting taxes for businesses would keep them here.

[Andrew @ PlanetLSX]

11 Bravo, please don't start crap in this thread. Leave the politics out of it. Thanks.

[12secSS]

The G8 might not die after all, if things work out well you can thank the police departments for helping to bring you a Chevrolet badged Holden Commodore. :)

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-group-working-on-bringing-holden-commodore-to-u-s-polic/

[wannafbody]

11 Bravo, please don't start crap in this thread. Leave the politics out of it. Thanks.

Unfortunately, the whole story is a political story-GM is not a free market company any longer. They are under the government thumb.

[Nine Ball]

Anyone else get the Pontiac email today?


PONTIAC - BUICK - GMC

Dear Anthony,

I wanted you to hear directly from General Motors about an important
announcement (http://www.pontiac.com/content/en/PDF/announcement/Pontiac_Announcement_QA.pdf) we made recently to phase out the Pontiac brand by year end 2010. As a Pontiac owner, you are part of a rich heritage and tradition that had its inception back in 1926. Pontiac has some of the best-looking, best-driving and best-engineered cars in the U.S., and this was a particularly difficult business decision for us to make.

As a valued Pontiac and General Motors customer, I want to assure you that we are very sensitive to your concerns and needs. Pontiac will continue in operation through the end of 2010 and, following that date, you will continue to be able to receive service on your Pontiac vehicle at any Buick-Pontiac-GMC Dealer. Your Pontiac vehicle warranty coverage is unchanged. Please refer to your vehicle warranty booklet for specific details on your vehicle's coverage.

As GM reinvents itself for you and our future customers, we want to thank you for your business. We will work hard to keep you in our family, providing some of the finest quality vehicles in the world.

If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to call our Pontiac Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-762-2737.

Sincerely,

Susan E. Docherty
North American Vice President
Buick-Pontiac-GMC

[Skill]

The G8 might not die after all, if things work out well you can thank the police departments for helping to bring you a Chevrolet badged Holden Commodore. :)

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-group-working-on-bringing-holden-commodore-to-u-s-polic/


The E7 police vehicle they mention in that article is really freaking wild!

[AphotiC]

thank god my GMC is still stayin!
i owned Chevy trucks and GMC trucks....... my personal opinion is GMC is better. Better looks and build quality. Also, resale is higher for GMC trucks than Chevy trucks.