The Future of Pontiac

[bszopi]

I could have put this in one of the other threads where we have been discussing GM and its decisions, but decided to make it its own... Here is a small article from the Oct 06 issue of Hot Rod:

GM's excitement division is hurting big-time in the sales department. Fortunately, the General's solution is a good one: positioning Pontiac as a brand of rear-drive-only performance vehicles much like BMW. Rumors indicate that the proposed plan calls for phasing out all front-drive Pontiacs like the Grand Prix within five years. GM will be unveiling an all-new rear-drive sedan at the '07 Detriot auto show that could hint at things to come, and a GTO replacement could easily be spun off of the next-generation Camaro platform. The most likely source for a large rear-drive platform is the Holden Commodore sedan, due for an overhaul in the Australian market later this year. "We haven't made any bones about the fact that Pontiac needs a rear-wheel-drive performance vehicle," says Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson.

[RidgeRunner]

<Roscoe P. Coltrane> Good news, good news!!! </Roscoe P. Coltrane>

[patgizz]

<Roscoe P. Coltrane> Good news, good news!!! </Roscoe P. Coltrane>

yup, maybe the s/c 3800 will finally die!

[sil]

that would be awesome a rear-wheel drive gto

that would draw in alot of intrest i think

[DEI37]

^^? We've got one already!

[firechiken]

This was the last year for the GTO, I think?

[prophiseer]

yeah, it is

Although I'm thrilled GM is turning Pontiac back loose on the RWD market, I really hope they keep some names around, maybe even bring some back. The Grand Prix nameplate is as synonymous with Pontiac as the Firebird was, as is the GTO nameplate. I'd like to see the Grand Am return for a fourth run as a RWD vehicle again. Maybe even the Bonnie as a performance oriented luxury model, but Cadillac kinda fills that role.

Great news, though! Hopefully GM sticks to this idea, I'm sure the rest of the Pontiac enthusiast community is thrilled.

[Rhedalert]

I've heard this before, it was Oldsmobile being positioned as an "import fighter" a few years before its demise. I thought GM tried combating BMW with Caddy via the CTS and so on. Anyone who drives cars from BMW or other import companies is NOT going to bat an eye at ANYTHING from the big-3, much less Pontiac. They need to focus on making vehicles that appeal to people who would actually buy them. Yes, a RWD mid-size sedan would be a good thing, but knowing how things have been, they'll jack the price up (ala Bonneville, G6) and noone will buy it, except maybe some base models. And you know they'll kill off any historical nameplates in current use.

[Husky]

yup, maybe the s/c 3800 will finally die!

And along with it, the Grand Prix.

[prophiseer]

I'd like to see the GP nameplate stick around. 45 years and running. Pontiac has lost to many recognizable nameplates recently; Sunfire, Grand Am, Firebird (+Formula, +Trans Am), Bonneville; they lose the Grand Prix and it's one more step closer to losing their identity.

[Nightingale]

If this were to happen I can only pray that they bring back the firebird, and hopefully with some of the 4th gens styling cues. The idea of GM starting to lean towards rwd again with Pontiac would atleast give me the satisfaction of thinking that it someday we might see another rwd Monte carlo SS.

[EspanolaGuitarista]

This is what GM should do...

1)They make good trucks. Stick to that.
2)Kill off SUV's.
3)Make more v6 and I4 rwd cars. Put the 3500 into the Solstice if possible.
5)Bring back the Fiero.
6)Make a decent Hybrid.
7)Make a turbocharged E10/E85 fuel car that can take advantage of the higher octane. <-----No brainer!
Stop making ugly-a$$ cars!

[Rhedalert]

GM is EXCELLENT in making the full size trucks. Once SUV's demand drops more we'll see more of a reduction in those (GM already killed the GMT360 (Trailblazer ++) extended body, and that hideous sliding rear roof model)

[prophiseer]

GM's truck line will always be a constant. Although, to cut some production costs, they should combine the Chevy and GMC truck lines into just Chevy trucks and use the GMC nameplate only on the large utility trucks (i.e. 5500, 6500, etc) and semi-trailers. It's kinda redundant to have two truck lines with similar features and accessories but slightly different styling and pricing.

[sharkey]

as i think its a great idea making pontiac the performance division (hasnt it been that way since day 1???), i dont think killing all the pontiac fwd cars is a good idea. the g6 is seems to be selling, and it fits the bill with the 3900 as a peformance car. however if they kill the 2.4l version off and have it as only a v6, it will fit better as a performance car. what im getting at is, if they are building performance cars, dont offer a low hp base model, offer power and more power, great handling cars and extrordinary handling cars.

some cars i think would be cool to see

-a 3900 in a solstice. i know the solstice is the miata killer, but it needs to also have the option to be a z4 killer, and the z4 has a straight 6.

-a pony car- basicly a new firebird

-bring back the fiero. they sold lots of them. i think a 3500 and a 3900 would make great motors for em. it would be a killer car.

-gto- build it again, and bring it into canada. looked like a cool car, never saw one in person. it fit the v8 sports car thing very well.