GM's plan for Pontiac...

[jayhawker125]

Well it looks like Pontiac's line of cars is going to be larger then we thought. It will consist of the following:

1) Pontiac Solstice

2) Pontiac G8

3) Pontiac Vibe

4) Pontiac G5

So that eliminates the G6 and the Torrent. The G5 will be the bridge between the Chevy Cruze and the Chevy Aveo. So since the Chevy Cobalt will be discontinued maybe the next G5 will bring a little more "excitement" and share a more familiar Pontiac identity.

Lutz on Pontiac, Saab and Saturn | Car News Blog at Motor Trend

[vfx kid]

Good news... Why dump the Solstice, the most remarkable product in the GM line-up? GM needs one car besides the Corvette it can be proud of.

[Mac]

drop the cobolt? dang to bad i was thinking about one as wifes DD. the ss would have been nice for longer trips with need stowage. when is the last year for the cobolt?

[jayhawker125]

Originally Posted by Mac drop the cobolt? dang to bad i was thinking about one as wifes DD. the ss would have been nice for longer trips with need stowage. when is the last year for the cobolt?

Well if you think about it the G5 is just a rebadged Cobalt. So hopefully they will give the next G5 some style because that is the one thing that has been hindering it from being the leader in the segment.

[Moose GXP]

The Cruze replaces the Cobalt.

[stang]

One question. What's the Vibe still doing in the lineup?

It's a freaking Corolla and Pontiac buyers know it. If GM wants to go around pretending it's not, then give it back to Chevy.

[Lee Willis]

Guys, IMO this is an interesting "rumor," but the real facts are GM itselfprobably doesn't know right now what it will do with Pontiac.
As events unfold, if a company like Tata, the Indian conglomerate, were to suddenly step up and offer a good price for the brand, or for Buick, or Cadillac, or GMC trucks, GM would sell to get the cash -- if there was enough on the table.
I'm not saying Tata will do anything (it could be someone else) or that GM will sell Pontiac (Buick makes more sense, actually) although Pontiac is for sale I'm sure (at some price, anyway) and Tata definately wants into the US market (at least the truck market), but the facts are GM will do what it has to do to survice, and it might not be pretty.

I'd keep an open mind and not be too surprised if something unexpected happens. And if Pontiac ends up being owned by Tata, or Cherry (the Chinese giant) or someone else: well, they have two things GM hasn't shown us recently -- cash, and a willingess to try things that Detriot won't. Might not be so bad, actually.

[gmhopeful]

See

Pontiac Shrinks to Four Nameplates ? Automotive News & Car Rumors at Automobile Magazine

Don't know about y'all but, recognizing that GM is in trouble and must trim down nameplates or sell them off, I like having Pontiac being the division getting leaner and staying "meaner" (sporty/performance) and aimed at the niches in the market. I admit I am biased because of my personal history with GTOs, Firebirds, Fieros, Firehawks and now Solstice.

Better alive with an image/mission than dead (like Olds is and like Saturn and Saab might be....).

[Moose GXP]

If Pontiac survives I'd be surprised if more than the G8 makes it. IMHO the Solstice will die out after a 3-4 year run for the coupe.

[Moose GXP]

Originally Posted by Lee Willis Guys, IMO this is an interesting "rumor," but the real facts are GM itselfprobably doesn't know right now what it will do with Pontiac. As events unfold, if a company like Tata, the Indian conglomerate, were to suddenly step up and offer a good price for the brand, or for Buick, or Cadillac, or GMC trucks, GM would sell to get the cash -- if there was enough on the table. I'm not saying Tata will do anything (it could be someone else) or that GM will sell Pontiac (Buick makes more sense, actually) although Pontiac is for sale I'm sure (at some price, anyway) and Tata definately wants into the US market (at least the truck market), but the facts are GM will do what it has to do to survice, and it might not be pretty. I'd keep an open mind and not be too surprised if something unexpected happens. And if Pontiac ends up being owned by Tata, or Cherry (the Chinese giant) or someone else: well, they have two things GM hasn't shown us recently -- cash, and a willingess to try things that Detriot won't. Might not be so bad, actually.

Tata isn't buying anybody in the near future. I know they just purchased the premium line from Ford, but they are having their own financial problems.

[StevieG]

Originally Posted by Moose GXP Tata isn't buying anybody in the near future. I know they just purchased the premium line from Ford, but they are having their own financial problems.

True that. Tata does not have capital right now, and has stated this in many sources, that the economy has effected some of there business decisions. Them getting Jaguar said a lot. What they do with it, especially after Ford cuts the umbilical cord and Tata has to design subsystems, drivetrains, and newer engine technolgy is really they question.

But, I struggle with the idea of Pontiac cutting to these 4 models, they only need 3 in my OPINION:

1. G8 sedan and a coupe as well.
2. G6 sized RWD coupe and sedan as well.
3. Solstice coupe and convertible.

No other vehicles. No rebadged Toyota Matrix sold as the Vibe. No G5, no Torrent, no G3 and no other BS. Just give us RWD affordable coupes and sedans and call it a day.

Further, why bother with styling something with a Pontiac grille with a FWD platform. Concentrate on BEATING BMW/Audi/ at the performance edge with more affordable well built and attractively styled RWD-only vehicles. 3 vehicles will do it. Give all the rest to Chevy and Buick.

[Tribewolf]

they only need 3 in my OPINION: 1. G8 sedan and a coupe as well. 2. G6 sized RWD coupe and sedan as well. 3. Solstice coupe and convertible. No other vehicles. No rebadged Toyota Matrix sold as the Vibe. No G5, no Torrent, no G3 and no other BS. Just give us RWD affordable coupes and sedans and call it a day. Further, why bother with styling something with a Pontiac grille with a FWD platform. Concentrate on BEATING BMW/Audi/ at the performance edge with more affordable well built and attractively styled RWD-only vehicles.

I couldn't agree more. Give the Pontiac brand the identity that fits their heritage and it will thrive. The only reason to do a FWD would be if its going to be a compact or subcompact super tuner targeted at the Scion market. It has to look mean though and can't be a rebadge from another car company.

[StevieG]

Originally Posted by Tribewolf I couldn't agree more. Give the Pontiac brand the identity that fits their heritage and it will thrive. The only reason to do a FWD would be if its going to be a compact or subcompact super tuner targeted at the Scion market. It has to look mean though and can't be a rebadge from another car company.

And, I'd except that as an argument as well. But, imagine the Kappa platform used to offer a small RWD Nomad-like Pontiac, a small sedan, and perhaps a coupe skinned to look like a retro Pontiac GTO or Tempest or something along those lines. That'd help their image more than offering rebadged Toyotas, Chevy's or Suzukis.

[Fformula88]

Originally Posted by Lee Willis Guys, IMO this is an interesting "rumor," but the real facts are GM itselfprobably doesn't know right now what it will do with Pontiac. As events unfold, if a company like Tata, the Indian conglomerate, were to suddenly step up and offer a good price for the brand, or for Buick, or Cadillac, or GMC trucks, GM would sell to get the cash -- if there was enough on the table. I'm not saying Tata will do anything (it could be someone else) or that GM will sell Pontiac (Buick makes more sense, actually) although Pontiac is for sale I'm sure (at some price, anyway) and Tata definately wants into the US market (at least the truck market), but the facts are GM will do what it has to do to survice, and it might not be pretty. I'd keep an open mind and not be too surprised if something unexpected happens. And if Pontiac ends up being owned by Tata, or Cherry (the Chinese giant) or someone else: well, they have two things GM hasn't shown us recently -- cash, and a willingess to try things that Detriot won't. Might not be so bad, actually.

Although the possibility of a sale of the Pontiac brand is there, I would say that the likelihood is small. GM is far more likely to sell Saturn than Pontiac, since it is a far easier brand to seperate with it's seperate dealer and distribution network. Pontiac is now very well ingrained into the BPG business channel, and would not be easily removed if sold to another brand.

Plus, at some stage, I think we have to take them at their word too, along with the industry analysis going on. It all points to Saturn, Hummer, and Saab being actively shopped, Pontiac being reduced to 4 vehicles (per Bob Lutz himself), and remaining part of the BPG channel.

[Fformula88]

Originally Posted by StevieG True that. Tata does not have capital right now, and has stated this in many sources, that the economy has effected some of there business decisions. Them getting Jaguar said a lot. What they do with it, especially after Ford cuts the umbilical cord and Tata has to design subsystems, drivetrains, and newer engine technolgy is really they question. But, I struggle with the idea of Pontiac cutting to these 4 models, they only need 3 in my OPINION: 1. G8 sedan and a coupe as well. 2. G6 sized RWD coupe and sedan as well. 3. Solstice coupe and convertible. No other vehicles. No rebadged Toyota Matrix sold as the Vibe. No G5, no Torrent, no G3 and no other BS. Just give us RWD affordable coupes and sedans and call it a day. Further, why bother with styling something with a Pontiac grille with a FWD platform. Concentrate on BEATING BMW/Audi/ at the performance edge with more affordable well built and attractively styled RWD-only vehicles. 3 vehicles will do it. Give all the rest to Chevy and Buick.

I totally agree. If the intent is to make Pontiac a well focused niche brand, cutting down to G8, Solstice, Vibe, and G5 is not a very good job at it. There is no cohesion to that lineup. Two cars are certainly sporty, two are certainly economy, and none really flow from one to the next. There still needs to be a hierarchy in the lineup. Where does one go when stepping up? G5 to G8? Nobe. Vibe to G5? Nope. Solstice to....

One, a niche sports brand does not need an entry level economy car like the G5. At best, a G5 GXP with the turbo engine might be appropriate, but I'd say that is a stretch. GM does not need Pontiac to sell a badge engineered Chevy.

I like your example. A sports car, a good midsize RWD car (alpha platform), and the G8 (including a 2 door G8) at the top of the range.