Pontiac is DEAD. 4/27/09 GM kills the brand. R.I.P.
#43
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you think its possible they bring it back after the economy gets better and the bailout **** is over or am i being too optimistic? the only good news is this may be the only chance for some of us who dont make bank to get a G8 if the value of them drop a good bit
#47
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GM importing the Holden Commodore as the Pontiac G8 is going to stop and it will not be going to another brand.
The car is a lousy seller and even if it did sell it still wouldn't turn a profit. The days of GM selling profit free enthusiast cars are over.
The car is a lousy seller and even if it did sell it still wouldn't turn a profit. The days of GM selling profit free enthusiast cars are over.
#48
TECH Fanatic
People AVOID buying cars that do not have a warranty.
...that is why Uncle O'Bama plans to use your tax dollars to back up the GM factory warranty on all models including the now defunct Pontiac.
Anyway, when Oldsmo-bubble went pow, their resale value went Pow too. Unfortunately, Uncle Sam can do nothing on this point.
...that is why Uncle O'Bama plans to use your tax dollars to back up the GM factory warranty on all models including the now defunct Pontiac.
Anyway, when Oldsmo-bubble went pow, their resale value went Pow too. Unfortunately, Uncle Sam can do nothing on this point.
As for resale value.... they are sure to plummet.... but it could make for a good deal on a good car IF you plan to hold on to the car and don't care about the resale value.
#49
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Pontiac statement (via web pdf)
Pontiac Statement and Q&A
April 27, 2008, 7 am
Pontiac brand to be phased out as part of GM’s more aggressive restructuring efforts
BACKGROUND
Since its inception in 1926, Pontiac has been known for delivering vehicles with both performance
and value. Over the past several years, the brand has been closely associated first with GMC
and then with Buick.
Statement attributable to Susan Docherty, GM North American Vice President, Buick-
Pontiac-GMC:
“Anyone who has been associated with the Pontiac brand knows that this was a difficult decision.
Pontiac has had a rich and storied history, but unfortunately, despite the efforts of all concerned,
the brand has been unprofitable over the past several years. We had hoped in our February 17
Viability Plan to convert Pontiac to a niche brand within the Buick-Pontiac-GMC channel.
However, the Viability Plan as submitted was not acceptable. GM was further challenged to take
more significant restructuring actions which would allow the company to be viable even in these
unprecedented market conditions and in any future cyclical market downturns. These
restructuring actions require further sacrifice by all stakeholders: GM employees, suppliers,
investors and dealers.
As part of these renewed restructuring efforts, we spent considerable time formulating Pontiac
portfolio scenarios that would allow the brand to be sustainable and profitable long term.
Unfortunately after careful evaluation, none of these scenarios proved viable.
Therefore, GM is announcing the phase out of the Pontiac brand by year end 2010. This action
will allow General Motors to devote its limited capital and other resources to GM’s four core
brands: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC.”
Q&A
Q: What happens to my Pontiac vehicle warranty?
A: Pontiac vehicle warranty coverage is unchanged.
Q: Where can Pontiac customers get their vehicles serviced, especially if they have
been visiting a Pontiac-only dealership?
A: Customer service is paramount. Customers can have their vehicles serviced at any
Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealership.
Q. Will parts continue to be available for my Pontiac product?
A. Yes. Pontiac parts will continue to be available for the foreseeable future.
Q. Should I be worried about obtaining service for my Pontiac if my Pontiac dealer is
closing?
A. No. Eighty-five percent of the Buick-Pontiac-GMC sales are currently sold through Buick-
Pontiac-GMC aligned dealers. There are about 1,600 Buick-Pontiac-GMC aligned
dealerships throughout the United States. Our customer assistance center (US: 1-800-
762-2737; Canada 1-800-263-3777; Mexico 01 800 466 08 08) will provide Pontiac
customers with the location of the closest Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealer in the event the
selling dealer closes.
April 27, 2008, 7 am
Pontiac brand to be phased out as part of GM’s more aggressive restructuring efforts
BACKGROUND
Since its inception in 1926, Pontiac has been known for delivering vehicles with both performance
and value. Over the past several years, the brand has been closely associated first with GMC
and then with Buick.
Statement attributable to Susan Docherty, GM North American Vice President, Buick-
Pontiac-GMC:
“Anyone who has been associated with the Pontiac brand knows that this was a difficult decision.
Pontiac has had a rich and storied history, but unfortunately, despite the efforts of all concerned,
the brand has been unprofitable over the past several years. We had hoped in our February 17
Viability Plan to convert Pontiac to a niche brand within the Buick-Pontiac-GMC channel.
However, the Viability Plan as submitted was not acceptable. GM was further challenged to take
more significant restructuring actions which would allow the company to be viable even in these
unprecedented market conditions and in any future cyclical market downturns. These
restructuring actions require further sacrifice by all stakeholders: GM employees, suppliers,
investors and dealers.
As part of these renewed restructuring efforts, we spent considerable time formulating Pontiac
portfolio scenarios that would allow the brand to be sustainable and profitable long term.
Unfortunately after careful evaluation, none of these scenarios proved viable.
Therefore, GM is announcing the phase out of the Pontiac brand by year end 2010. This action
will allow General Motors to devote its limited capital and other resources to GM’s four core
brands: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC.”
Q&A
Q: What happens to my Pontiac vehicle warranty?
A: Pontiac vehicle warranty coverage is unchanged.
Q: Where can Pontiac customers get their vehicles serviced, especially if they have
been visiting a Pontiac-only dealership?
A: Customer service is paramount. Customers can have their vehicles serviced at any
Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealership.
Q. Will parts continue to be available for my Pontiac product?
A. Yes. Pontiac parts will continue to be available for the foreseeable future.
Q. Should I be worried about obtaining service for my Pontiac if my Pontiac dealer is
closing?
A. No. Eighty-five percent of the Buick-Pontiac-GMC sales are currently sold through Buick-
Pontiac-GMC aligned dealers. There are about 1,600 Buick-Pontiac-GMC aligned
dealerships throughout the United States. Our customer assistance center (US: 1-800-
762-2737; Canada 1-800-263-3777; Mexico 01 800 466 08 08) will provide Pontiac
customers with the location of the closest Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealer in the event the
selling dealer closes.
#51
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Buick needs to be there to make Cadillac worth it. They are going for the recreation of Caddy dominance but need an entry level luxury model. I'm sure they could make a Caddy or two that are cheaper and nice enough... but no. Caddy accounts for 5% of the sales volume to Pontiac's 9%. But like was said before. Buick is huge overseas.
#52
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Another GM web blog where people are writing nothing but hatred towards GM for this...
http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives...comment-110967
http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives...comment-110967
#55
Date mistake?
Guys..is it only me or is it actually true that the announcement has the wrong DATE??? (April 27 2008 <--- we're in 2009!) is it possible that they make such an obvious mistake and publish it on their official website?? cant they at least end Pontiac's life with some dignity? lol OR was this announcement really posted in 2008?
#58
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Hummer and Saab (and Saturn) are going away. Buick is HUGE in China (as has been mentioned) so it won't be going anywhere in the foreseeable future. I'd expect GMC to get tweaked into a pure "work vehicle" brand moreso than it is currently also.
It sucks to see the Pontiac name die (though it means I can grab a G8 in a year or two for dirt cheap), but GM is still GM (mostly) and hopefully we'll see some decent new vehicles after the Camaro in a few years once things settle down. Chevy badge, Pontiac badge, it's just a grill and a sticker, the guts are the same after all.
It sucks to see the Pontiac name die (though it means I can grab a G8 in a year or two for dirt cheap), but GM is still GM (mostly) and hopefully we'll see some decent new vehicles after the Camaro in a few years once things settle down. Chevy badge, Pontiac badge, it's just a grill and a sticker, the guts are the same after all.
#59
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Olds is dead. Why not axe Buick, GMC, and Hummer brands. Keep Chevy, Caddie, Pontiac, and Saturn. That way you have your face of GM in chevy, cars for old people and ghetto g's in caddy, pontiac could build freak stuff like the G8 GT etc, and Saturn is your small car manufacturer.
Makes sense to me.
GM is like a relative on heroin. No matter how much you love them and want to see them survive they're determined to do themselves in.
Makes sense to me.
GM is like a relative on heroin. No matter how much you love them and want to see them survive they're determined to do themselves in.
#60
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Unfortunately... Saturn has NEVER turned a profit for GM in its 20 year history.
But.... I think they should have(could have) kept Pontiac as a niche brand and killed off Buick... except keep Buick overseas since they do well in China.
That's not to say Buick couldn't come up with something good for the US market... Anyone remember the Buick Wildcat????
WOW.... after I for a photo.... I found the 2010 Buickwild Cat...
And Wildcat grandsport
I like the rear end of the grandsport!!!!! (Although... I would have extend the glass down more and rounded it like on the 4th gen Camaro/Firebird.) (From the body lines.... that looks like it is a trunk... not a hatch.)
Not sure I like either as much as the g8 though.
Not sure where these stand in production with the way things are right now.
But.... I think they should have(could have) kept Pontiac as a niche brand and killed off Buick... except keep Buick overseas since they do well in China.
That's not to say Buick couldn't come up with something good for the US market... Anyone remember the Buick Wildcat????
WOW.... after I for a photo.... I found the 2010 Buickwild Cat...
And Wildcat grandsport
I like the rear end of the grandsport!!!!! (Although... I would have extend the glass down more and rounded it like on the 4th gen Camaro/Firebird.) (From the body lines.... that looks like it is a trunk... not a hatch.)
Not sure I like either as much as the g8 though.
Not sure where these stand in production with the way things are right now.
Last edited by wabmorgan; 04-29-2009 at 12:06 PM.