GM downsizing/Pontiac shrinking news story

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

GM downsizing/Pontiac shrinking news story

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Thats interesting! I can live with a Ch**y Olds got dropped, but it didnt change the price of a nice 442 and besides that there are Strato Chiefs left to restore.... clone= 1966 Pontiac Grande Pariesenne 2 door post buckets 4 speed air no skirts lol

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Boo hoo:

Ive never quite been in this situation before of getting a massive pay cut, no bonus, no longer allowed to stay in decent hotels, no corporate airplane, GM Car Czar Bob Lutz tells NPR radio. I have to stand in line at the Northwest counter. Ive never quite experienced this before. Ill let you know a year from now what its like.

67HEAVEN · Poncho Master!

That's confusing. If GM shrinks to four brands (Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC), but keeps four models of Pontiac, doesn't that make five brands?

biggrin

Is it any wonder these management geniuses have brought "The General" to where it is? They can't even count to 5. disbelief

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Here's what it says:

"Clarke said that GM will now focus its "product and marketing resources" on Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC."

"Shrinking the brand would complete yet another promise GM made to Congress to make Pontiac a niche brand."

Nowhere in the article do GM officials say 4 brands.

The headline says 4 brands but that is written by the author, Chris Tutor, not the GM people, so it is the author that can't count.

-- Edited by 73SC at 11:33, 2009-01-13

Astro Jet · Poncho Master!

So sad.

Pontiac has always been my favourite division. In the 60's glory days they were number 3 in overall sales, right behind Chevy and Ford.

To me Pontiac always had the best image and the best styling, performance with class.

Now reduced to a rump. The G8's future is uncertain, the Vibe is a Toyota and although the Soltice may be a neat car in some ways, it is no leader in technology, performance and most importantly sales, so I wonder why keep that? The G5, who cares, disposable, they could rebrand that a Chevy or a Buick tomorrow and no one would notice.

John DeLorean must be rolling over in his grave....

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Well said Hillar. Many of us here are old enough to remember those Glory Days Jim Wangers writes about in his book.

Pontiac was certainly a name that stood for performance and styling.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Maybe this will help, Direct quotes from GM executive not some journalist who can't count. Looks to me like Pontiac keeps that edgey performance car image, not what we remember but not dead.

Lutz: What brands will stay, and why

By Michael Bettencourt

Although nothing is set in stone in these turbulent times for the Detroit Three, GM's vice chairman for product Bob Lutz broke down how all of GM's brands around the world stacked up, and the likely future for each.

It's no secret that some GM brands are not likely to survive, at least in GM's hands (see related Saab, Time to Go posts). Here then are the ones that remain part of GM's long-term strategy, according to Lutz, in (my own) order of relative importance:

Chevrolet: GM's one true mainstream global brand.

Cadillac: Also a strong global brand, sales can't match some luxury competitors, but profitable.

Buick: More of a regional brand, but very strong in China, which GM is trying hardest to spare from product cuts.

GMC: Also a regional brand, but still profitable, although with little sentimental value.

Vauxhall/Opel: These European Saturns will likely keep their separate identities, Vauxhall for England, Opel for the rest of Europe.

Pontiac: the G8, G6, Solstice and Solstice Coupe will remain, said Lutz, but the days of Pontiac as a mainstream brand will likely come to a close.

Holden: Another regional brand, this one from Australia, but one which has integrated itself into the global product pipeline, as a source for rear-wheel drive V8s especially.

-- Edited by 73SC at 14:37, 2009-01-13

Johann65 · Guru

You should see the Korean and Australian Chevs in South Africa. At promotional shows; Heaven helps you if you arrive with a "Real GM" Car!

The best "GM" sellers are the Opel Astra and Corsa models!

-- Edited by Johann65 at 15:02, 2009-01-13

eeluddy · Uber Guru

"GM said it would sell or close Saturn. And since no one has yet stepped forward with cash, the future is not at all certain for the unique brand despite what GM's marketing VP Mark LaNeve"
Saturn is the worst GM brand, with Saab as close 2nd. I would rather see Pontiac flourish and get rid of Chevrolet. Change the trucks to all GMC, re-badge Malibu & Corvette, axe Impala, Vectra, etc.
Chev has been a lost brand to me and many others starting with the Citation,then Lumina, followed by Monte Carlo and Impala. None of those models measure up to their '60's ancestors.
The whole Chevy camp has been neglected by GM for too long. Always pee'd me off the way they squandered their lead. The Impala was the #1 selling nameplate of the 60's, now it's thought of as a cheaply built big Cavalier. At least Pontiac has a better recognition factor now.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I want to disagree with you on the Impala being a cheap Cavalier. They have an excellent reputation in our area at least, as a roomy car, excellent maintenance record, unrivaled fuel economy. I am NOT a front drive fan but if I was buying a new GM product I would pick an Impala as the best car for the buck. Not the best looking etc. but the best value.

And I'm not the first guy to defend Chevy.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

A GM employee I know calls the Impala, "a honey for the money!" A guy I work with has an 02, black with rear spoiler and chrome exhaust, an LS I quess, it is a nice car. It has everything my Cadillac has.

gparis7 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I had an 02 Impala. With the exception of the intake mainifold leak/failure that was the subject of a class action lawsuit, and an occasional no start problem, it was a good car.

2drpost · Uber Guru

Carl Stevenson wrote:

I want to disagree with you on the Impala being a cheap Cavalier. They have an excellent reputation in our area at least, as a roomy car, excellent maintenance record, unrivaled fuel economy. I am NOT a front drive fan but if I was buying a new GM product I would pick an Impala as the best car for the buck. Not the best looking etc. but the best value.

And I'm not the first guy to defend Chevy.

thanks carl. wink

seriously though, you won't get more value for your dollar than with the impala.

-- Edited by 69 belair at 21:54, 2009-01-13

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

I rented a "07 Impala" in Moncton last year, and it was a hella of lot nicer, than my Mom's Camry....

Drive one, before you trash one...

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

It's funny but the Impala has a way better ride than the Buick Allure and they are both W body's! A former co worker had the Allure and hated it and got the Impala. He loves it. I drove both of them and the Allure rode very un-Buick like. The 303hp Impala SS is a real mover too.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I have yet to ride in an Allure. I assumed the Buick would be nicer.

Our first 303 horse SS had a road test by me one Saturday when I was at work. I hate driving through my own tire smoke. Otherwise, pretty impressive car. Sounds cool at full throttle...

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Carl Stevenson wrote:

I hate driving through my own tire smoke. Otherwise, pretty impressive car. Sounds cool at full throttle...

.....you and FWD !