Automotive News, Media & Press - GM Will Discontinue Pontiac

Pontiac Is Dead

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/news/2009/0423/2009.pontiac.g8.500.jpg

Date posted: 04-23-2009

DETROIT — According to a source at General Motors, the company will announce next Monday its new "faster, deeper" reorganization plan, which will likely include a death sentence for the Pontiac brand.

Inside Line called Tom Wilkinson, news relations PR man for General Motors, who said: "There's nothing I can share with you at this time. Keep your eyes on our media site. Officially, nothing has changed with Pontiac's niche-brand status, until you hear differently."

The one-time "Excitement" division and creator of legends such as the GTO and Firebird was relegated to "niche" or "specialty" brand status by General Motors in its first viability plan in December of last year.

The company toyed with competing proposals to either turn the brand into GM's version of Scion or to make Pontiac a very focused purveyor of performance cars based around the critically well-received G8. But ultimately, Pontiac was chosen as the easiest to kill since it was cut from GM's self-defined herd of four "core brands," Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick. Most Pontiac franchises have already been combined with Buick and GMC.

If true, Pontiac will join Saab, Saturn and Hummer as brands that will not survive GM's current troubles — at least not as a component of General Motors.

Inside Line says: Just as the G8 reawakened our interest in 83-year-old Pontiac, the brand falls victim to bad times and old mistakes. — Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=146706

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damn :( just when the G8 came out, i wish they would keep Pontiac as their performance side of the company

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=146706


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So the G8 and Soltice and G6 etc are ALL gone? None will be kept as niche or re-badged? I wanted to replace my daily driver '07 G6 GTP with a G8 GT next year.....damn! I guess I'll have to get a pre-owned one.

My brother just bought a G8 GXP- its a damn nice car. Too bad really. Maybe they will bring the foreign version Caprice here.

Kill Pontiac, but keep buick and GMC? That is retarded. With bullshit like this, it won't be long til GM is dead. At least to me.

I would like to see the G8 and Solstice(sp) stay around...both great cars...even the G6 but no need to stash 2 sedans into chevy that already has 4 or w/e.

Kill Pontiac, but keep buick and GMC? That is retarded. With bullshit like this, it won't be long til GM is dead. At least to me.

GMC and buick are also on the chopping block, but buick is a big seller in china and GMC has allot of fleet sales...both sell WAY better then pontiac...its a smart move really.

your link does not work,

Fixed.


http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=146706

So is that gonna make the GXP a collector car in the future? hmmmm

My G8 will be the last GM car that I own if Pontiac is gone.

Wow, this sucks, i've replied to one of their GM blogs.....letting them know what crap this really is. Go bankrupt already and tell the gov't to f-off. I was in full support of their loan, this is crap though.

If they don't care why should you??????????????????? They is GM and Pontiac.

Buick on the chopping block...Dang what will all the old people buy?

Have my town is full of slow moving brand new Buicks...

Don

Kill Pontiac, but keep buick and GMC? That is retarded. With bullshit like this, it won't be long til GM is dead. At least to me.

Buick is big elsewhere around the globe and truck buyers are very brank loyal. Just as you swear off GM, they do not want Sierra buyers to do that and buy Ford.

If there is a business case for it, they will sell the G8 as a chevy. However, I don't think they have been moving enough to justify it, unless there is that much extra capacity in the Camaro line.

Good!!! About freaking time. Now just rebadge the G8 as a Chevelle :)

W

I'd be really pissed if they kept the G8 and renamed it a Chevelle. I bought the G8 as an alternative to buying an old Chevelle, because they didn't offer a new one and I wanted to drive it every day. And they can't even use the Malibu name because they bastardized it when they brought it back in the 90's.

I'd be really pissed if they kept the G8 and renamed it a Chevelle. I bought the G8 as an alternative to buying an old Chevelle, because they didn't offer a new one and I wanted to drive it every day. And they can't even use the Malibu name because they bastardized it when they brought it back in the 90's.


I used to have an old Malibu 307 and it wasn't a performance car by any means but it was super reliable and comfortable car. Just don't expect it to do anything for you above 70 MPH. I think that last time I drove it ... about 22 MPG.

I used to have an old Malibu 307 and it wasn't a performance car by any means but it was super reliable and comfortable car. Just don't expect it to do anything for you above 70 MPH. I think that last time I drove it ... about 22 MPG.

I came home from the hospital in my dad's 72 SS and my mom had a 67 ss convertible. I was thinking the equivalent to the G8GT would have been a Malibu and the GXP would be the SS. I've ridden in some 307 cars and no they weren't fast, but they kept running. I wish they would have called the last GTOs Chevelles instead.

Anyway, I hope this is all a rumor and on Monday they announce they are keeping Pontiac.

How bout scraping the impala line and making the G8 the new impala. those cares used to be pretty sweet. GXP = impala SS

sorry guys... this is my fault

1st new car: 2000 Pontiac Trans Am ... then they stop making them
2nd new car: 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix ... then they stop making them

and now Pontiac is gone ... maybe I shouldn't buy a corvette lol

Who cares what badage they are as long as there are a few fun cars in the line up. They could be all call Deawoo for all I care as long as there is something that suits my needs.

"I'd be really pissed if they kept the G8 and renamed it a Chevelle. I bought the G8 as an alternative to buying an old Chevelle, because they didn't offer a new one and I wanted to drive it every day. And they can't even use the Malibu name because they bastardized it when they brought it back in the 90's."

Why care?

The new Impy is too good a seller to scrape.

W

Rumor. Notice that one of the first words in the first sentence is "likely." I really think this is just another rumor generated by people who "report the news." How many times have we heard Pontiac is going under...I mean really...

http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/24/autos/pontiac_obit/index.htm?postversion=2009042414

That was already a step down for Pontiac which in 2008 was the third-best selling brand behind Chevrolet and GMC. That year the brand sold more than Cadillac and twice as many vehicles as Buick. Cadillac is a high-profile - and high profit - luxury brand while Buick is a hugely popular brand in China and is seen as resurgent in the United States.

I've been a Pontiac guy for a long time. I've always tried to support American car companies whether it's GM, Ford, or even Chrysler. But I've got to be honest...GM is turning into Toyota, now if thats good or bad I don't know. From a performance stand point, its bad, for a survival standpoint, it may be good. I mean, look at Toyota's line-up. All rather boring sedans, the only coupe they have (thats a toyota) is the Solara which is a snore, the Scion brand has already out-priced itself past many of the "young crowd" that they aim for.

Now that GM is supposedly going to kill off Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, and Hummer...what does that leave? Oh thats right...Chevy (trucks and sedans, save the Camaro and Vette), Buick, (sedans), Cadillac (sedans), and GMC (trucks).

I'm guessing that it'll only be a matter of time before even that may get limited depending on whether or not GM goes bankrupt or not.

The Solstice is a decent enough car, but it's the definition of a niche car; among other things, it's trunk makes mine look big. And the Sky looks better, making the Solstice redundant. The G8 is the only car they have that deserves to stick around, so I hope they axe the current FWD Impala and bring over the "Caprice" as the new version.

Kill Pontiac, but keep buick and GMC? That is retarded. With bullshit like this, it won't be long til GM is dead. At least to me.

Buick and GMC will be discontinued too.

Rumor. Notice that one of the first words in the first sentence is "likely." I really think this is just another rumor generated by people who "report the news." How many times have we heard Pontiac is going under...I mean really...

It's being reported on Fox News as confirmed today.

Also, the Solstice and G8 both do not turn a profit. They are toy cars that Lutz championed back when GM listened to him and did everything he said was a good idea. Neither car was a good idea.

The Solstice is very expensive to make and doesn't sell. Even when it sold well initially it did not make money and still doesn't. It's disappearing.

The G8 is also very expensive to sell and doesn't turn a profit. It's best month was last month and it didn't even sell 4,000 units. Which is literally nothing. This car is also going away, it will not be going to Chevrolet and GM cannot afford profit-free toy cars anymore. It's also yet another example of GM's branding morass, what is a G8? Why is this car carrying such a stupid meaningless name? Why did GM flush all of Pontiac's identity down the toilet in favor of nothing? GM also did this to Oldsmobile and pretty much all their other brands which destroyed them.

Pontiac might have high sales numbers but what that doesn't tell you is that the majority of Pontiac sales are to fleets. Pontiac is GM's biggest fleet brand and the G6 GM's biggest fleet queen next to the Impala. Not profitable or something to brag about.

I really don't think there's much to mourn with Pontiac being discontinued. It doesn't do anything Chevrolet doesn't already do or couldn't do better. Pontiac hasn't been the same since the Firebird was canned and you all knew when Lutz said it was a "damaged brand" (along with Buick) and that the Firebird wasn't coming back that it was a Game Over folks.

GM's slow death continues...

Very sad. At least I have 3 Trans Am's to keep me busy..So what about SLP's new G8 Firehawk? LOL

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

All over the mainstream media now.

Hate to hear this. I've owned 4 Pontiacs in my lifetime, 2 Trans Ams & 2 Grand Prixs, all good cars.

So do you all think the price of 04-06 GTOs and Trans Am's will go up now? I was looking to getting into a GTO since they have become so cheap lately. I'd rather a Trans Am but the GTO is new with a better interior and cost the samething pretty much.

GMC and buick are also on the chopping block, but buick is a big seller in china and GMC has allot of fleet sales...both sell WAY better then pontiac...its a smart move really.

Actually, Pontiac is #3 in sales and the G6 the best selling car in GM's line-up.

So do you all think the price of 04-06 GTOs and Trans Am's will go up now? I was looking to getting into a GTO since they have become so cheap lately. I'd rather a Trans Am but the GTO is new with a better interior and cost the samething pretty much.

No, in fact I think the resale on the LSX GTO and G8s will get even worse.

I was thinking about selling my G8 for a new Camaro or Mustang but I may have to end up keeping it.

Yea.... I hate to say it.... but once it happens.... the reslae value of any discontinued brand will get worse. Might be a chance to pick up a good deal.... if you plan to keep the car and don't care about the resale value.

Actually, Pontiac is #3 in sales and the G6 the best selling car in GM's line-up.

Uh no that would be the Malibu followed by the Impala. G6 sales tanked when they took away the fleet sales.

The G8 does turn a profit plus it serves a dual purpose. It helps Holden fill some capacity at their plant and with the aussie dollar tanking GM is turning a profit on it.

It just had its best sales month. It came within 300 units of the Mustang. Which the Mustang was outsold by the Challenger also. In this economy , with a shaky parent company, credit crisis. All things considered the G8 is holding its own.

The G8 does turn a profit plus it serves a dual purpose. It helps Holden fill some capacity at their plant and with the aussie dollar tanking GM is turning a profit on it.

It just had its best sales month. It came within 300 units of the Mustang. Which the Mustang was outsold by the Challenger also. In this economy , with a shaky parent company, credit crisis. All things considered the G8 is holding its own.

I agree and the fact that the economy is terrible right now even further solidifies the car is popular and people are buying it. I will believe Pontiacs demise when it is announced by GM. Its not like killing Olds was a big help in the long run. Chevy really doesnt have anything that great either. The vette and maybe the camaro which is basically a two door shorter G8. If they are keeping GMC why bother with any chevy trucks? Seems redundant. The brand killing hasnt helped any of the big three. If Ford can hold on to Mercury there has to be a way to keep Pontiac. It was the third most selling brand and now all that revenue is going to be gone.

If GMC is being kept... it will be mainly for their large commercial truck sales. (Trishield states both GMC and Buick are getting the ax, along with Pontiac.)

Frankly.... it would make more since to kill Buick and GMC and rebadge the GMC commerical trucks under the Chevy moniker... for one thing.... GM will not kill the Silverado.

As for the G8.... it probally could be considered to be doing well given the economy.... however the G8 is not currently making a profit.... it is just breaking even. (I guess that is still better than losing money though.)

Pontiac was a fleet queen, thats the only reason it had big sales numbers. Fleet cars don't make money. GM will drop GMC before they drop Buick. Its a status symbol in China, mostly because its an American brand.

I recall CNBC's Saving GM doc they did last year mentioned that GM either does sell or is on track to sell more vehicles in China than they do in the US. Since Buick is a hit over there, Idk how they could motion to discontinue the brand in the light of a long term profitability plan. And regarding the governments report that came out critiquing their reorganization strategy, it alluded that neither Buick or GMC should be on the chopping block, nor will it be in the junk pile if the company splits.

So what happens to the warranties you get from buying a new Pontiac? Will they just transfer to a Chevy dealership since its all GM?

I would imagine they would have to, just to maintain a sense of credibility with the public. I think that's one of the problems GM is dealing with, under the impending prospect of going into chapter 11; the public's concern with buying a vehicle from a company in bankruptcy. Obama has announced they will stand behind the warranties when this happens, but I don't think GM will dish over Pontiac's warranty work over to them quite yet.

I've been loyal to GM since I can remember, but that all changes with this. If I had known my '02 was going to be the last new car I'd ever actually want to buy, I wouldn't have driven it for the past 7 years. At this point I don't really care whether GM goes under or not. No offense to you Camaro guys, but I've never really had a strong interest in any other GM division. I hereby turn in my keys to the world of the hardcore automotive enthusiast.

why not kill of GMC and Saturn ... maybe even buick, what do they have the lucerne and some ugly suv's?

sell hummer to anyone who has $20 and get your shit straight
I see just as many G6's as I saw Grand Ams ... that's got to be something good

the 1st car I bought was my '68 Z ... but the 1st car I drove regularly was a '77 Grand Prix SJ ... 400, th400, posi ... not fast but fun as hell and tons of torque

guess I was smart to keep my '68 firebird

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f14/breaking-gm-issues-official-statement-pontiac-death-rumors-78423/

It's ain't over until the fat lady sings.

You people (most of you) are missing the real news:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/GM-to-announce-brand-changes-apf-15035703.html?sec=topStories&pos=1&asset=&ccode=

Quote buried at the end:
The government's restructuring demands include swapping at least two thirds of GM's unsecured bond debt for equity in the company.

Obama's abortion of a government is going to OWN GM outright, maybe becoming majority shareholder if my guess is right. Considering they fired Wagoner, they already think they do - and are well on their way. You think GM has f___ed up so far (and they have), just wait...

This GM web blog has turned into "why are you killing Pontiac"....

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/04/details_about_our_plan_to_reduce_production.html#c omments

You people (most of you) are missing the real news:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/GM-to-announce-brand-changes-apf-15035703.html?sec=topStories&pos=1&asset=&ccode=

Quote buried at the end:
The government's restructuring demands include swapping at least two thirds of GM's unsecured bond debt for equity in the company.

Obama's abortion of a government is going to OWN GM outright, maybe becoming majority shareholder if my guess is right. Considering they fired Wagoner, they already think they do - and are well on their way. You think GM has f___ed up so far (and they have), just wait...


I agree. We should all only drive sub-compact's according to the new world order. The g8 is an "evil" v-8. They will kill the Camaro and Vette- mark my words. It's over. I've owned 22 GM's. I will NEVER buy another- their soul has been sold.

I agree. We should all only drive sub-compact's according to the new world order. The g8 is an "evil" v-8. They will kill the Camaro and Vette- mark my words. It's over. I've owned 22 GM's. I will NEVER buy another- their soul has been sold.

I'm not QUITE there yet, fat lady hasn't sung (though she's gargled and has started to hum). There are still some guys at/around GM with brains and balls. Maybe another Lee Iacocca will come around for GM. Until the government actually takes possession, I'll keep supporting. If/when they do, I'm with you - no more new vehicles from GM. Sad to think the "Government Motors" is such a strong possibility.

Maybe if we're "lucky", GM would sell LS technology to Ford - and we could go buy a good looking, economically viable pony/sports/touring car with some real balls off the shelf (without a blower). :D

^Good Call!!

I'm surprised Tri-shield hasn't posted this.... considering it is from his favorite author..... regardless.... Pontiac is officially toast. :( :cry: :cry:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-kills-pontiachummer-saab-and-saturn/

GM Kills Pontiac, HUMMER, Saab and Saturn

By Robert Farago
April 27, 2009

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com:8080/2009/04/jmobile.jpg


GM has released its press release releasing [both] remaining fans of the Pontiac brand from the suspense surrounding its untimely (as in late) demise. “As part of the revised Viability Plan and the need to move faster and further, GM in the U.S. will focus its resources on four core brands, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. The Pontiac brand will be phased out by the end of 2010. GM will offer a total of 34 nameplates in 2010, a reduction of 29 percent from 48 nameplates in 2008, reflecting both the reduction in brands and continued emphasis on fewer and stronger entries. This four-brand strategy will enable GM to better focus its new product development programs and provide more competitive levels of market support.” Buick? “The revised plan moves up the resolution of Saab, Saturn, and Hummer to the end of 2009, at the latest.” GM CEO Fritz Henderson put a brave face on the news, ’cause that’s who he is and what he does.


“We have strong new product coming for our four core brands: the Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Cruze and Volt; Buick LaCrosse; GMC Terrain; and Cadillac SRX and CTS Sport Wagon and Coupe,” said Henderson. “A tighter focus by GM and its dealers will help give these products the capital investment, marketing and advertising support they need to be truly successful.”

I’m lost. How many rebadges are left? Anyway, read Paul Niedermeyer Pontiac obit here. I’ll put up Michael Karesh’s G8 GXP review in a mo and provide an update the employment and production side of GM’s new new new new new new new new turnaround plan. Meanwhile, how sad is this, from underneath the press release:

About GM - General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world’s largest automakers [emphasis added], was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 243,000 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

Is there still goin to be parts available for trans am's??

Obama's abortion of a government is going to OWN GM outright, maybe becoming majority shareholder if my guess is right. Considering they fired Wagoner, they already think they do - and are well on their way. You think GM has f___ed up so far (and they have), just wait...

I agree as well, this is made clear in their push for Chrysler to join Fiat in exchange for "small car technology"

The banks needed a bail out because they made irresponsibly leveraged bets, and needed the cash to make their balance sheets look like they were still solvent. 1st quarter profits are coming out and a number of them are already turning a profit and even beating estimates. GM, Ford, and Chrysler are in an different situation and are far from being profitable. The Obama admin is now in charge of dictating the reorganizing plan to make them profitable; that vision entails a different philosophy of building cars than we're used to, or want. Then again, we don't represent the average consumer. The sad thing is, I think GM was on the road to building nice product, restyled toyotas with decent powertrains, now we're just gonna get rebadged toyotas (and fiats).

Is there still goin to be parts available for trans am's??

My guess would be till the parts are exhausted. After that... it will be used and aftermarket only.

I'm surprised Tri-shield hasn't posted this.... considering it is from his favorite author..... regardless.... Pontiac is officially toast.

I've had family issues the past week that needed attention.

But yeah, Farago saw this coming years and years ago. So did Peter DeLorenzo but now that Motown is actually dissolving he seems to be going completely insane so I don't read his site anymore.

There is nothing to stop gm from making a firebird on the same lines it makes the camaro if the camaro does well. It can be a firebird trans am just like there is a camaro SS.
It don't have to be a pontiac firebird trans am. After all they aren't different in terms of drivetrain and basic chassis since the early 80s.So they simply have to make different interior and some exterior panels to make a firebird again.

The solstice was neat and I was not too impressed with pontiac since they axed the two door supercharger grand prix coupe and started making them only in four door form.
Solstice is a neat enough car but as said don't make a profit and guess not a big market for g8s anyway so not a big loss. I do like my pontiac montana van but they quit making minivans into the US anyway and my current one should do me 10 years or so no big deal.

Most parts in the trans am and my montana van are same as the chevy parts. Just some different interior and body panels.

Thats the thing there were way too many redundant models in the gm lineup. At one time there were like 5 versions of the same minivan, Buick, chevy, pontiac, saturn,olds..same van. slight differences in appearance and interiors..very inefficient.

I hate to say it.... but Firebird, Trans Am are both DEAD. They aren't coming back.

Don’t Buy A GM Orphan . . . Yet

By Steven Lang
April 28, 2009

There are three things you really can’t avoid if you’re an American: death, debt (government inherited) and sales. Now that four GM brands have officially Oldsmobiled themselves, you’re going to hear a lot of retail sales cheerleading in the MSM. “Now’s the best time!”, “Vultures are gonna feast on these deals!”, and my own personal favorite “Get ’em while they last!” But unfortunately that last cliché is a really big part of GM’s problem.

The axe has one hell of an arc to swing this time around. And the targets aren’t exactly the cream of the crop either. For every G8 and Astra that may truly be a great deal, there’s thousands upon thousands of G8’s and Astra’s lined up right behind them that likely have the wrong options and features. Time to buy? If the government does provide the sugar candy of subsidization to consumers, yes. Debt be damned. But keep one thing in mind.

When Isuzu and Oldsmobile went kaput, we were seeing their near-new cars sold at less than half the price at the auctions. Now that four brands and about eighteen models are hitting the permanent pavement, the best carcasses may not be from the first “vulture” flyers. In fact with Pontiac at least running through 2010, and GM still sucking at the government teat, this may be a “Toe Tag Sale” that’s well worth missing. After all, a real vulture usually waits until the carcass is long dead before feasting.

Don't count the Commodore out yet

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/163AD4D8E1002739CA2575A6001F0097

Uh, good luck to Holden trying to sell an expensive foreign car to US government agencies funded by US taxpayers to keep foreigners at work when auto manufacturing jobs are being lost in the US.

Sorry.... this is the new taxpayer funded car that will be sold to US government agencies...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAqPMJFaEdY




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