Comments on: Pontiac Conference Call Regarding the Phase-Out

By: Moanalua

Moanalua — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 05:45:02 +0000

Here’s GM, an American company, killing Pontiac on account of China buying Buicks. What a slap in the face of all the folks here in the US who have been buying Pontiacs loyally for decades. My first Pontiac was a ’66 Le Mans, and I’ve owned no other make but Pontiac since (I now own an ’84 Trans Am). If GM has elected to put all its eggs in China’s basket, so to speak, then perhaps there should be an economic consequence here in the US. For the first time in my life, my next new car will probably not be a GM product. I wonder how many other Pontiac buyers are thinking the same thing? I simply cannot imagine purchasing a new car from a company that decided Buick’s sales in China were more important than Pontiac’s sales in the US. By the way, Pontiac was outselling Buick here two-to-one.

By: john schrades

john schrades — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 19:37:12 +0000

I'm 21 years old and from a cozy little city in Iowa. All the cars I've owned were Pontiac's Ive slowly worked my way up to an 01 grand am. I love the Pontiac brand and I was looking forward to buying a brand new gto sometime in the near future. It disgusts me that GM would prefer their ratings in China and keep Buick instead of Pontiac. Another insight into the greed of people. Send the jobs to China? Just move to China. Give sum1 else the chance to help American people with jobs that are desperately needed right now. I will never buy another GM made product.

By: Nicholas Borgia

Nicholas Borgia — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:57:16 +0000

Just to update this a little bit about the G8, I was at a dinner with Ed Peper, Vice President of General Motors on Wednesday. When the question was asked about the G8, he said that it will be more than likely the vehicle WILL NOT be carried over.

His reason: the company was happy with their current line-up and future products planned, and does not see where the G8 would fit into their plans.

I think it’s a load of hogwash (to put it lightly). I drove a GXP earlier that day and it is truly a phenomenal piece. Another dumb decision on GM’s part.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:52:56 +0000

I really hope GM reconsiders bringing the G8 over under the Chevy brand. I’m sorry, but with a wife and two small children, the Camaro is not going to be an option and I fail to see how it could possibly be a competitor. If GM can’t produce a performance sedan like the G8, then I will be forced to look at other brands.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:57:14 +0000

I agree Craig, the G8 certainly fills a need that no other GM product fulfills, there's no doubt about that. God forbid they actually consider a Camaro sedan.

By: Shane

Shane — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:43:02 +0000

I think Rick is on to something. If GM is going to TRULY shuffle things up, they need to start from scratch. They need to pick and choose which models (Saturn Sky, Pontiac G8, etc.) are worth keeping and then place them in the proper brands and use a number system to assign them names.

Now is the chance for them to really take advantage of these times are make BOLD moves that can put them back on top once again. Their quality is there and they have some damned fine designs, so without all the UAW restrictions and contracts to keep plants open and models going, they really have a chance to streamline the business the way it needs to be done.

I think Americans are very patriotic and loyal and want our auto industry to be back on top again, so at this point the ball is in their court.

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:17:11 +0000

I have a novel idea. How about giving the G8 to Buick,remove the roof and name it the Velite, since they were going to share the same zeta platform anyway. Then give the Solstice and Saturn Sky to Cheverolet and call it the Stingray.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:19:15 +0000

Marc – Pontiac is a North America-only brand. In most of the rest of the world they have Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden – which is where most of the Pontiac models come from.

Dave – they didn't say on the call, but I suspect there will be, depending on demand.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:07:41 +0000

Is there really going to be a 2010 G8 GXP model? I would think they are not producing any more. I hope not because I already purchased a 2009.

By: Marc M.

Marc M. — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:58:44 +0000

This is all very unfortunate, I didn't see this coming at all. The questions on the Buick make sense from a marketing stand point. I'm just not sure what the logistics are phasing a brand out in different markets. Is it possible they could phase out Pontiac in all countries except for a select view that offer a high intake? I mean for god sakes, you see Pontiac's all over the place here in the state.

I'm sad to see it go. I've owned several Trans am and thought they were fantastic cars.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:25:16 +0000

Shane, thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you like the blog.

The G8 and Camaro are different, and in most cases, for different people. The main thing that separates the two is the 2-door and 4-doors, but they're both muscle cars sharing the same platform with similar engines. It's a tough argument to predict, and I think their main reason behind it was to not cheapen the name.

By: Shane

Shane — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:06:13 +0000

Thanks for the post. This seems to answer all the questions that everybody is asking about. I find it peculiar that they think a rebranded G8 would take away from Camaro sales. I don't think of them as the same type of car. And as much as I love the look of the new Camaro, it's still a muscle car that I just can't see me driving except for on the weekends while listening to REO Speedwagon on the radio. Talk about an image problem!

I just discovered your blog while googling info about the fate of the G8, and I love it. I'll be a frequent visitor! Thanks for all the great info!