July 1, 2009
Just in case you forgot that Pontiac was around for a very long time before the ax fell this year, check out this video tribute to the fallen brand.
A Tribute to Pontiac Motor Division
GM announced its "Buy and Say Goodbye" incentive program yesterday in a bid to boost sales over the holiday weekend. The "buy" part is a new incentive that offers 0% financing for up to 72 months on select vehicles for qualified buyers. The "Say Goodbye" part is merely a reminder of how many vehicles GM makes that qualify for the new "cash for clunkers" program.
Normally such incentives exclude the vehicles we really want to get our hands on, but in this case the financing offer is good on the Pontiac G8 GXP. So in other words, if you're looking for yet another reason to convince the wife that you really need a 415-horsepower sedan with a six-speed manual, the government has finally done something to help.
June 29, 2009
While JD Power is busy counting problems with vehicles, a company called Strategic Vision says it surveys owners on the totality of their experience in the first year or two of ownership -- both the good and the bad. Hence, the 2009 "Total Quality" Awards.
"The Total Quality Index was calculated from 20,101 buyers who bought 2008 & 2009 models in September to December of 2008," says the company in a press release.
Strategic Vision says that Mini, ranked last by JD Power for Initial Quality in 2009, was the top-rated brand in its survey. Alas, there's no mention of the brand whose owners are least enthusiastic.
The company has also announced winners in 17 vehicle categories listed after the jump.
In a brief statement (138 words), GM North America President, Troy Clarke today announced the end of GM's joint venture with Toyota, the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI).
In the statement, Clarke noted that, "GM and Toyota could not reach an agreement on a future product plan that made sense for all parties." Therefore, the 25-year-old NUMMI has been relegated to the dustbin known as "Old GM," and will not be among the assets the company will continue with when it emerges from bankruptcy. GM's participation will end when the last Pontiac Vibe rolls off the line in August.
Clarke ended the statement with, "...we remain open to future opportunities of mutual interest." He most certainly did not end it with, "It was awesome having you in homeroom this year. Stay cool!!!!"
The days of Vibes, Prizms and Novas is officially over.
June 18, 2009
No big shocker here as General Motors is basically going through the formalities of winding down a brand at this point. Today's announcement merely added a date to the demise of the Vibe compact wagon.
Production will end in August of this year at Nummi, the plant shared by GM and Toyota plant in Fremont, Ca. GM says it's still considering the production of other future models in the plant, but has no set plans for now.
June 17, 2009
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
Since the day the name Ecoboost was first uttered at an auto show, it's been touted as an engine that would offer V8 performance with V6 efficiency. Well, Ford's twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 is finally here and the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is the most performance-oriented vehicle yet to offer the new engine.
Still, the latest Taurus is a hulk of a sedan. It weighs in at well over 2 tons and stretches nearly 17 feet long. With that in mind, it seemed only fitting to compare the SHO to one of the biggest, most muscular American sedans around (at least for now) -- the 2009 Pontiac G8 GT.
Now technically, the Pontiac G8 GXP is a closer competitor in terms of price, but the GT's power output nearly matches the SHO. Oh, and the Pontiac is 300 pounds lighter, too. We also took into consideration that our Taurus didn't have the optional performance pack that adds a shorter rear end gear, stiffer springs, a thicker rear stabilizer bar, high-performance brake pads and summer tires. More importantly, adding the performance pack also gives you the ability to turn off the stability control system completely, a big advantage when you're running numbers.
So how did the "new" SHO measure up against the "old" GT? Click for the full results; you might be surprised.
May 14, 2009
After yesterday's pace car clunker fest, we're proud to present some of the 500's more prestigious pace cars. These cars actually did their production namesakes some good, or at least looked great trying.
Indy500.Com: Pace Cars of the Indianapolis 500
May 13, 2009
With the 2009 Indianapolis 500 fast approaching, the hype machine is in full swing. Danica this, Danica that, Helio on pole, and of course the official 2009 Indy pace car.
This year it's the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, a solid, almost inevitable choice. Such decisions haven't always been so clear cut. During much of the 70s and 80s, the choices were slim. But they had to slap stickers on something, so you had some dodgy representatives like the Oldsmobile Calias and Cadillac Eldorado.
So what do you think? Which car deserves the title "Worst Indy Pace Car Ever"?
May 3, 2009
When GM announced that it was going to kill Pontiac last week, we couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Over the past year, our G8 GT long termer has been an example of Pontiac at its best, but one vehicle can't carry an entire brand.
In honor of the G8's soon-to-be-extinct status, we decided it was a good time to make it our long-term car of the week. Look for an extra helping of coverage on our black GT starting today as we take a closer look at one of our favorite American sedans.
Long Term Test: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT
May 1, 2009
Maybe you haven't heard of Jim Wangers, but he was the marketing force behind the Pontiac brand in the 1960s and '70s -- back when Pontiac was cool -- and is credited with the wild success of the original GTO.
A couple days after GM killed Pontiac, David Zenlea, an editor at Automobile, interviewed Wangers, now 83 and retired, but still active in the Pontiac owners community. Not surprisingly, he had more interesting things to say than just about anyone else who has been pressed for funeral soundbytes. It's a short interview and well worth the 2 minutes it takes to read (yes, even if you're put off by the blazer he's wearing in this famous photo).
Snippet: "One of the worst things that happened was when they came out with the new GTO. It was so badly handled, packaged, and marketed. They changed so many things, they failed to jump on what it really meant to be a GTO...
"Then they had the crazy idea of changing the names.
"If there was ever a domestic manufacturer that ever had a really good set of names it was Pontiac - Bonneville, Grand Prix, Trans Am! And then all these little boys in men's jobs come along, and come up with insanely stupid 'G' names."
April 29, 2009
Watch any of the taking head channels and the guys they get to analyze the auto industry never seem to know anything about cars. It's like Fox, MSNBC and CNN just call 1-800-MBA GEEK and some pinhead that doesn't know front-wheel drive from rear is in the studio ready to tell the world what went wrong at Pontiac.
Well, not this time. This time the gang at Fox Business interviewed Darwin Holmstrom the co-author of the new book GTO: Pontiac's Great One. The topic of course was the demise of the 83 year old division of General Motors and Mr. Holmstrom obviously understands that America has lost one of its great brands. And it's sad.
As Pontiac passes into history, let us take this moment to celebrate the brand's contribution to cinema. Here are the ten most memorable Pontiacs in motion picture history.
1.The French Connection (1971)
1971 LeMans Sedan
Of all the Pontiacs ever made, it's hard to think of any more ordinary than the 1971 LeMans four-door sedan. But when "Popeye" Doyle commandeers one to chase a killer riding in an elevated train through Brooklyn, the '71 LeMans sedan becomes one of the great hero cars of all time. Director William Friedkin reportedly filmed much of in-car shots for this sequence without permits and without closing off the road. Legendary stunt driver Bill Hickman did much of the high-speed driving. Finally, this is the only movie on this list to win an Oscar for Best Picture of the year.
April 28, 2009
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we're running a feature on Straightline called "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
Don't get bent out of shape just yet. We know this isn't exactly a fair fight. The BMW M3 sedan requires a whole G6-worth of extra cash to bring it home, but hear us out. This is less of heads-up battle than it is a look at how much the extra $25K gets you when it comes to performance sedans.
With the soon-to-be-defunct G8 GXP, spending $42,000 puts you in one of the best Pontiac muscle cars ever. It's a missile in a straight line and surprising capable when you throw it around a little. Doesn't look half bad either.
The BMW M3 is a legend, and for good reason. It takes what is arguably the best sports sedan ever and turns it up three or four notches. That includes the price, however, and now that it's well into the $60s, we can't help but wonder if it's really worth the cash.
Disregard the number on their stickers and these cars aren't so far apart. Both have V8s up front and six-speed transmissions that send over 400 horsepower to their rear wheels. The bigger Pontiac weighs a little more, but its V8 levels the playing field with an extra 120 pound-feet of torque.
So is the BMW $25k faster? Or is the Pontiac the smart buy here? Check out the numbers and decide for yourself.
Jay Leno has written a monthly column in Popular Mechanics magazine for 10 years, and we haven't missed a single one. Topics have ranged from Duesenbergs to the ZR1 and Jay's personal Green Garage, which includes solar power and a PacWind Delta II vertical-axis wind turbine just like the one that powers Edmunds HQ.
But Jay's latest manifesto, which appears in the May issue of PM and on www.popularmechanics.com is a little tough to get through. Jay decided to predict furture collectible and classic cars. Which is fine. But he must have been drunk when he started pecking the keyboard.
Now that Pontiac is officially dead, it's easy to pick at its bones and catalog everything that went wrong -- from "A" for Aztek to "P" for Parisienne and "S" for Sunfire. But Pontiac is where the muscle car was invented and it was where it came closest to being perfected.
Discounting race-only specials like the radically lightened "Swiss cheese" 1963 Catalina and 1963 Super Duty Tempests, here are the 10 greatest Pontiac muscle cars of all time. Pontiac itself will go away, but these 10 cars will be impossible to forget.
April 27, 2009
The death of Pontiac has inevitable repercussions in Australia, since, barring the Pontiac G8's reincarnation as a Chevrolet, exports to the U.S. would stop before the end of 2009. That amounts to nearly $1 billion (Australian), or about $700 million (U.S.), Australia's drive.com.au reports.
You can read what Australians have to say about the future of Holden on Drive's blog. Although the very first commentor suggests the Commodore could easily wear a Chevrolet SS badge, successive commentors are far less optimistic and proceed to lay into Holden for its quality record in the home market. The tone is all very familiar.
Yeah, you read that right, Chevrolet Camaro SS Sedan. If there can be a BMW M3 sedan why not a four-door Camaro?
The Camaro and the G8 already share a platform and although their engines aren't exactly the same they're pretty close. Leave the Impala for family duty and keep the rebadged G8 what it should be -- a full fledged sport sedan.
Photo illustrations by Nick Wilcox
Now that GM has made it official, it's time to cue the memorials. Always best to remember the good ol' days at times like this, so we'll ask the inevitable: Which Pontiac was your all-time favorite?
Last Thursday, Inside Line broke this story and now General Motors has confirmed it. Pontiac will be phased out by the end of next year in an effort to further consolidate GM's brands.
Other details of the plan include:
- A 42% reduction in the number of dealers - from the current 6,246 to 3605 by the end of 2010.
- A 28% reduction in the number plants - from 47 to 34 by the end of next year
- A 34% reduction in the number of hourly employees - from 61,00 to 40,000.
- A 34% reduction in labor costs - from $7.6 Billion to $5 Billion by the end of 2010.
April 23, 2009
The folks that brought you the GTO (but also the Aztek) and the Firebird (but also the Trans Sport) appear to be one step closer to the gallows.
If rumors around GM's RenCen headquarters are true, the troubled corporation will announce the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand next Monday as part of the deeper-cutting reorganization demanded by the Obama administration's auto task force.
GM said, as early as late last year that the division would become a "niche brand," outside of the four core brands GM wanted to protect (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick). The company, however, never defined exactly what sort of niche it was talking about. Was that a niche that included the G3, a Chevy Aveo re-badge? Or was that a niche that included the G8 rear-drive sports sedan?
It seems Pontiac's fate might have been sealed by a combination of increasingly tough demands for cuts from the Feds and Pontiac's utter lack of focus over the past few decades.
General Motors, in the person of News Relations PR man Tom Wilkinson neither confirmed nor denied nor, well, here's what he said: "There's nothing I can share with you at this point. Keep your eye on our media site. Officially nothing has changed with Pontiac's niche-brand status, until you hear differently."
Clear as mud, then.
April 16, 2009
After Bloomberg broke a story this morning suggesting that GM would rid itself of both GMC and Pontiac to avoid bankruptcy, the General's PR team went into full react mode. The result is a follow up piece by Automotive News that refutes Bloomberg's anonymously-sourced report.
Sales chief Mark LeNeve told the industry trade paper that reports that,"GMC is going away are just unfounded, unsubstantiated and untrue."
He went on to say that GMC is profitable and General Motors is working on plans to make it even more profitable in the future. He also refuted the rumor that dealer franchise agreements would be terminated to accelerate dealership consolidation.
Automotive News: GM to Keep GMC, Pontiac; no plans to quicken dealer consolidation
According to a report by Bloomberg this morning, General Motors may drop GMC and Pontiac in a bid to shed more weight in its latest restructuring plan. Bloomberg cites unnamed sources in the report who also say that GMC has a slightly better chance of surviving than Pontiac. There is no mention of what might happen to either brand if GM does in fact decide to cut them loose.
April 13, 2009
Obviously, all of General Motors is pretty much up in the air right now, but Pontiac dealers are feeling especially nervous given the "niche" brand label they acquired in GM's original viability plan. Not much has changed in the last few months and now we know why.
Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC told Automotive News, "The Pontiac decision is pretty low on the priority list for right now...it's not going to be the savior for GM."
Pontiac dealers probably didn't have any grand illusions that they were going to be a big part of the turnaround, but when the executive in charge tells the press that you're low on the priority list that's got to hurt.
March 19, 2009
Can't say enough about the way the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe looks on the road. Easily one of the most distinctive two-doors on the road today.
Only problem is what lies underneath. Without the turbocharged powerplant of the top-shelf GXP model, there's not much to get excited about. Editor in Chief Scott Oldham outlines the issues in our latest road test.
Full Test: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe
March 4, 2009
While everyone was focused on the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, Susan Doherty, vice president for the North American divisions of Buick, Pontiac and GMC, quietly announced the discontinuation of the Pontiac Torrent, the smallish midsize crossover SUV that's a twin of the Chevrolet Equinox.
In an entry titled, "Pontiac: Alive and Kicking and Part of GM's Future Plans," on GM's FastLane blog, Doherty wrote, "The Pontiac Torrent will be discontinued to enable the brand to 'focus' on cars. But the good news is that a new, five-passenger crossover SUV entry will soon be found at GMC ... stay tuned."
Although the slow-selling Torrent won't be missed much, another line in Doherty's entry makes us as uncertain as ever about the future of the Pontiac G8, arguably the best car in the lineup.
"Pontiac will continue to offer the G5, G6, G8, Solstice and Vibe, and we're adding the economical G3. Pontiac's top reason for purchase is 'fuel economy' and we won't disappoint with four of our six entries getting over 32 miles per gallon on the highway."
Even the six-cylinder G8 gets only 20 mpg combined, while our preferred G8 GT gets just 18.
Clearly, more changes are afoot, as Doherty concludes, "we know that we don't have all of the answers right now and that can be very uncomfortable, but we refuse to let media speculation and negativity make up our minds for us."
February 25, 2009
If it were only true. Instead I hear Hollywood's braintrust is working on another Harry Potter. And there isn't a single Trans Am in the entire movie. Sad.
January 13, 2009
In an interview at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick/GMC/Pontiac, gave us a hint at what the future holds for Pontiac. There are two different paths currently being discussed, Docherty told us.
One idea is to keep Pontiac faithful to its current leanings as a performance brand. There would be two or three low-volume, rear-wheel-drive models and that's it. The path is more traditional, but also more risky, as Pontiac would become more of a halo brand and have less money-making potential.
And the other possible scenario? Turn Pontiac into a brand that favors sporty, high-tech cars that fall a little lower on the pricing scale. Think Pontiac Vibe. And when additional models are added, they would aim to compete with Honda and Scion instead of Toyota and Ford. Hardly Pontiac's traditional role, but there's more growth potential down the line.
There's no doubt in our minds which way GM should go. If you were running Pontiac, what path would you take it down? -- Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line
January 7, 2009
You may have already seen the sales totals for December, and 2008 as a whole. If not, here's a summary: not good. For a more detailed look, check out the industry wide 2008 sales analysis over at AutoObserver.
We assembled something a little different though. Instead of assessing the big picture, we looked at the sales numbers for individual models. Which new models flopped, which old models recovered, that sort of thing. Some of the results we expected, others were a little more eye opening. See for yourself after the jump.
January 6, 2009
Pontiac PR man Jim Hopson confirms that the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST, the odd ball quasi-pickup, El Camino redux, is so dead. The company delivered the news to dealers earlier today.
Blame the economic and automotive meltdown of 2008 (and '09). Blame GM's woeful condition (word is, any and all programs slated to be released after the middle of 2009 are "under review"). Or blame the fact that maybe, just maybe, not enough people cared about a re-born El Camino, even in the best of times, to justify its resurrection.
December 15, 2008
The Pontiac G8 ST may end up being stillborn, never seeing the light of day. This is no surprise given the precarious situation GM and Pontiac are in.
To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of vehicles like the Pontiac G8 ST. I've always been a bit uncomfortable with trucks becoming play things. I guess in this respect I guess I'm "old school" in that I think that trucks should be tools and not toys. The less tool-like, and the more toy-like they become, the less interest I have for them. Having said that I'm not against car-based "utes" per say. I think properly equipped for tasks that befit them, they're about perfect. That's what you see in Australia, South Africa, and in other parts of the world. I like those vehicles, and they do serve a purpose. When they start venturing into the sports car arena, that's when my interest dissipates.
December 3, 2008
While many, myself included, thought it would be announced that Pontiac would disappear, that apparently is not the case. GM announced yesterday that, in their restructuring, Pontiac would become a niche brand. Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press, agrees. Might the General and Phelan be correct?
No, Pontiac did not make a "Super Duty" pickup, in the Ford mold. Rather, back in '63 they built a very few (as in 6), very special drag-racing Tempest Le Mans specials that were labeled "Super Duty."
So how how much this car go for? $226K. What's more the car was junker that listed for $500. To top it off--the car was missing the engine, transmission and keys!
November 24, 2008
Welcome to Inside Line's Daily Insiders List.
We've been watching you. We know you're hungry for information and we've been monitoring what you are searching for on Inside Line.
In order to keep up with your wants and needs, we'd like to share this inside information with everyone.
Here's what you're searching for today and the best place to find your answers:
2010 Ford Mustang
Here's a first look at the 2010 Ford Mustang. We'll have a first drive of the new Mustang in mid-December. So, be sure to check back.
2010 Ford Mustang First Look
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=134729
Nissan Cube
The 2009 Nissan Cube was at the L.A. Auto Show. Here's the article:
2008 Los Angeles Auto Show: 2009 Nissan Cube
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/losangeles/2008/2009nissancube.html
And the blog post: 2008 L.A. Auto Show: 2009 Nissan Cube Gets Some Attention
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2008/11/2008-la-auto-show-2009-nissan-cube-gets-some-attention.html
We tested the 2008 Nissan Cube against the Scion xB several months ago.
Comparison Test: 2008 Nissan Cube vs. 2008 Scion xB
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=124845
L.A. Auto Show
You can read IL's full coverage of the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show here:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/losangeles/2008/index.html
And lots and lots of blogs post on Straightline:
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/AutoShows/LAAutoShow/
Watch video from the show:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/losangeles/2008/video.html
And if you're going to the show, we have a must-see list for you:
2008 Los Angeles Auto Show: Visitor's Guide
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=136246
Pontiac G8
Inside Line just tested the 2009 GXP:
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP Follow-Up Test
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Followup/articleId=136306
We also have a 2008 G8 GT in our long-term fleet:
Long-Term Test: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=125500
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/Vehicles/2008PontiacG8GT/
2010 Prius
Inside Line pondered the future 2010 Toyota Prius here:
Imagine the 2010 Toyota Prius
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=126123
It is scheduled to be at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
Enjoy.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
Surprised? You thought the Yugo was long dead and buried? Not so, as these East-European 4-wheeled tin cans have been quietly in production up until last Thursday.
In the U.S. the Yugo is best remembered as being the Euro-equivalent to the Edsel or Aztek, as it was most often on the receiving end of barroom jokes, some of which are:
> Why does a Yugo have a defroster on the rear window? To keep your hands warm while you push it.
> What do you call a Yugo's shock absorbers? Passengers.
> The new Yugo has an air bag. Before an accident, start pumping real fast.
> How do you double the value of a Yugo? Fill the gas tank!
> What do you call a Yugo at the top of a hill? A miracle.
Here's Inside Line's take: Yugo Bites the Dust - Again
Image: ED BAILEY/Associated Press
November 20, 2008
Buried in the back of GM's display was this 2010 Pontiac G8 ST pickup, which is a made-over Holden Utility. If you want your modern-day El Camino, here you go. Considering the current economic climate, who knows if this will ever see the light of day. So if you like it, you might want to let GM know about your interest.
Albert Austria, Sr Vehicle Evaluation Engineer
November 3, 2008
I slipped into SEMA early today. The show officially starts tomorrow and the press isn't really allowed in until then.
One of the cars I wanted to see was the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe GXP modified by GM Performance Parts for the show. I wrote a story on this car last Friday for Inside Line News and was excited to see it in person.
What a letdown. It's not that the Solstice coupe looks bad in person. In fact, it's one of the coolest designs around. But an automatic transmission? At SEMA? In a little sports car? Bummer. -- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
October 24, 2008
Geez, it seems that every day we're getting shocking news out of Detroit. Now word is out that Pontiac will kill the RWD G8. That's the second RWD model to be axed from Pontiac. Earlier we learned that the Solstice would also be killed.
Gotta wonder what the General plans to do with this brand? Before it was to be the BMW (well, kinda anyway) of the GM brands. Now what? Will there be a place for a neutered Pontiac, or are these moves the early signs of a brand about to disappear?
Here's Inside Line's take: Driving Away Excitement: Pontiac Kills Rear-Wheel-Drive G8
August 14, 2008
What, no clapping? Or guns-a-blazin'? Not even a parade announcing this momentous event?
Sorry guys. No, it's not a Nuevo-El Camino; nor is it a Neo-Caballero. Nope, it's just a Pontiac G8 ST, as in "Sport Truck."
Name Contest no contest
If you recall, Pontiac earlier this year requested names from all who were interested in this truck. They got 80,000 entries and 18,000 different names--and out of that the best they could come up with is G8 ST?
As to the truck... Pontiac claims the following:
• A sports car with truck-like cargo and towing capabilities
• 361 hp V8 engine with Active Fuel Management linked to six-speed automatic
• 74-inch cargo bed, 1000 pound payload and 3,500 lb towing capacity
• Estimated fuel economy near top of vehicles with comparable cargo/towing capacity
• Available in late 2009 as a 2010 model
Well folks, it's shortly after midnight as I'm posting this, and the name "G8 ST" is about as good a sleeping pill as I could ask for...
Here's Inside Line's take: El Camino Out as Sport Truck Is Christened the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST
July 1, 2008
A bit over a week ago Staightline reported, via InsideGMNews.com, that GMC may be heading to the slaughter house (New rumors of a GM division axing). Now that same site is reporting that the next-gen Acadia may be canceled, as well as a GMC-badged pickup based on that platform, thus giving more credence that the GMC brand may be on the way out. Also being reported here that Pontiac too may be axed.
Now before any panic sets in here, remember that these are just rumors at this point...
June 21, 2008
The dramatic shift in consumer vehicle preferences have renewed rumors of a possible GM division being disbanded. This time, however, the smart money is saying that GMC could be the victim. Why GMC? Well GMC is all about trucks, and that's the market that's dying...
May 21, 2008
Want to get a heads-up on the new Pontiac pick-'em-up (2008 New York Auto Show Preview: You-name-it Pontiac sport truck)? Well PickupTrucks.com has a comparison test of two Aussie Utes, the Holden VE SS and the Ford Falcon FG XR8.
As you know the new Pontiac Ute, er, pickup is based on the Holden Ute, so what you read here will likely also apply in large measure to the upcoming Pontiac This-is-NOT-an-El-Camino.
Full story here...
April 17, 2008
We've added a Pontiac G8 to our long-term fleet.
A full-size, rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered American sedan is always welcome in our garage.
We opted for the G8 GT which packs a 6.0-liter engine capable of 361 horsepower.
Read the Introduction on Inside Line...
March 24, 2008
This sort of fell between the cracks in our Geneva show coverage. It's an Opel GT with a V8 of unspecified origin by performance enhancer Irmscher, and is called the Irmscher GT i40.
Now we know there's a 6.0L GM V8, and I wonder if it could fit under the hood of the Pontiac Solstice? Mr...
March 19, 2008
When three new cars are introduced simultaneously, one of them is bound to get overlooked. Today, it was the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP that got the cold shoulder as the oddball Sport Truck and low-slung Solstice Coupe sucked up most of the crowd's attention. It's a shame really, as the G8 GXP is the one car out of the three that has the best chance of reviving Pontiac's performance reputation. It's the only G8 that will offer a manual transmission, an announcement that drew unsolicited applause from the crowd, and its 402-horsepower LS3 V8 should deliver low 13-second quarter-mile times...
It makes sense that Pontiac should produce a coupe version of the Solstice. It was a sketch of a coupe that designer Franz von Holzhausen sent to Bob Lutz when the then-new product honcho solicited design ideas for a Pontiac two-seater.
The coupe looked better back then and it still looks better now as the company works toward getting it into Pontiac dealers early next year. Much of the character of the original coupe concept has been retained, including the odd but interestingly shaped backlight...
March 15, 2008
Pontiac will show a hot-rod G8 GXP powered by a version of the 6.2L Corvette LS3 engine, and putting out 430 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque.
All this power is harnessed by either a 6-speed automatic or a Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual. The GXP will ride on 245/40R19 performance tires and 19-inch polished aluminum wheels. Brembo brakes are part of the package...
That's right, this truck is at the moment unnamed—but you, dear viewer, can name it here! The El-Camino-like vehicle is based on the G8 sedan, which means lots of fun, along with a bit work capability.
As you might expect, this 2010 Holden VE-based Ute funster is powered by a big honkin' Gen-IV 6.0L V8 putting out 361 hp. A 5.4 sec 0-60 is expected when it hits the streets in 2009...
March 12, 2008
Just a quick tease here as to some of what GM is planning on showing at NewYork next week:
• Pontiac will debut 3 new production models
• Saab's 9-x BioHybrid will make its North American debut.
• Buick reportedly to have some surprises—one of which is that their news will also be available in Chinese on the GM media site. Now that may not mean much to those not in the auto news business, but it just goes to show just how important Buick has become to China, and vice-versa. But you already knew that, right?
March 11, 2008
NHTSA have launched a probe into Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice brakes, as there have been 40 complaints, one involving a crash. It should be noted the vehicles in question are the turbocharged Solstice GXP and Sky Red Line. There have been no complaints on non-turbo models from either brand.
This is not good news, especially since Consumer Reports has just recently given the Solstice and Sky only a so-so rating...
February 22, 2008
The 2008 G8 GT is the Pontiac we've all been waiting for.
It's fast. It handles well. It's comfortable...
February 8, 2008
Pontiac's redesigned little wagon has a 2.4-liter inline-4 capable of 158 horsepower and comes with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Read the Vibe First Drive on Inside Line.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
December 17, 2007
Automotive News has stated that the GMC Terrain, essentially a Saturn Vue sold in Kuwait, will replace the Pontiac Torrent. Expect to see this occur for the 2009 model year. From my standpoint I think this makes sense. CUVs seem better suited for GMC than Pontiac, so I have no problem with this move...
October 30, 2007
We're happy to report that the Pontiac G8 GT looks substantially similar to the Holden Commodore SS we tested in Australia. And that's a good thing.
Interest in the car seems quite high. We gave up trying to take a clear shot...
October 23, 2007
GM is set to make a big splash at this year's SEMA show, which opens on October 30. One of which is this trick Pontiac Solstice SD-290 concept, pictured above. Expect to see a lot of eco-vehicles featuring bio-fuels, along with the usual and expected performance-oriented offerings; one of which is the 8.2L, 600 horsepower, E85-powered Corvette Z06 owned by Jay Leno.
Full story here at Motor Authority...
October 9, 2007
General Motors will introduce the 2009 Pontiac Vibe at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show in November. All-new, but still retaining the original's blend of style, performance and versatility, the 2009 Pontiac Vibe also signals the return of the popular all-wheel drive and performance-oriented GT models (shown here). The new Vibe will debut at the LA auto show and will be available at Pontiac dealerships in early 2008.
Here's Inside Line's take: Los Angeles Auto Show Preview: 2009 Pontiac Vibe
September 26, 2007
Our friends over at PickupTruck.com have put up an article on the Aussie Holden VE SS ute, which is rumored to come Stateside if Bob Lutz has his way. If it does come over (up?), rumor has it that it will be badged a Pontiac, or possibly a GMC, but not a Chevrolet.
The VE SS is powered by a 362 horsepower 6.0L V8, and is based on the Holden VE sedan. Power hits the ground via either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic...
September 14, 2007
Pontiac is exploiting the serendipitous timing of the launches of the new Xbox 360 game, "Halo 3," and its own factory-tuned GXP version of the G6 car with a cross-promotional campaign that includes one of the new raft of TV spots for the GXP cars--plus events and interactive components touting the car and the game, which goes on sale midnight on Sept. 24.
The new ads this fall, via Leo Burnett, Detroit-based interactive agency Digitas and Hollywood, Calif.-based Stardust Productions, include a recently launched 60-second ad and two 30-second spots.
In the ads, the cars--the GXP versions of G6, Solstice and Torrent crossover--and the urban world through which they pass, are shot in black and white and appear in 2-D rendering...
May 23, 2007
Following the Chicago auto show announcement that the upcoming 2008 Pontiac G8 will be heavily based on Australia's Holden Commodore, we packed-up our test gear and headed down-under to see what all of the fuss was about. In addition to testing the freshly redesigned 2007 Holden Commodore SS, we also sampled its arch rival, the soon-to-be-refreshed 2007 Ford Falcon GT.
But wait, there's more. While in Australia, we saw the "ute" variants of both of these cars in great numbers...
May 3, 2007
For all those Burt Reynolds wannabes (and who doesn't want to be just like Burt?) out there, auto restorer Year One (here) is teaming up with the actor to produce a limited run of the famous Smokey and the Bandit Trans Ams. From the sound of it these are pretty much legit-to-the-bone replicas of the original Banditmobile.
More info can be found here and here over at Autoblog; and, of course, there is a "burnout" video too.
April 27, 2007
Alex Taylor III, a Fortune senior writer, is one more person calling for GM to trim its nameplates.
Here are his recommendations:
• Keep Chevrolet where it is - the volume brand that is the heartbeat of America.
• Maintain Cadillac at the top of the market and expand its product offerings with derivatives of the popular CTS.
• Continue to use Saturn, with its dedicated dealer channel and loyal buyers, as the brand for import intenders...
February 8, 2007
Holy El Camino Batman! The Aussie-built Holden Ute, a car-based pickup a la the long-departed Chevy El Camino and Ford Ranchero, may be headed here!
It's also reported that it will be badged as a Pontiac G8. Well, I can see the Pontiac part, but since the G8 name has just been introduced, I suspect that part will change.
It does seem a bit ironic that GM would introduce such a vehicle just as Subaru discontinued their car-based Baja pickup...
February 7, 2007
At 3:15 this afternoon, the Pontiac press conference was the place to be. Everybody wanted to see the new rear-wheel-drive G8 sedan. And we mean everybody. The Pontiac press conference was without a doubt the most crowded of the day...
January 8, 2007
Until today we'd never heard of a "hammerhead" spoiler. Honestly, after seeing the one on the 2008 Pontiac G6 GXP Street edition we still wish we were in the dark. It's an option, so we considered cutting Pontiac a little slack, but the grotesque nature of the offense eventually forced our hand. The taste police have been alerted and we understand GM's performance division will be paid a little visit...
Pontiac didn't have a press conference for the new Torrent GXP. But we'll tell you about it anyway.
It's the performance version of the brand's fairly innocuous crossover SUV and it's powered by GM’s new 3.6-liter V6. The engine, which is also used in the new Saturn Aura and Saturn Outlook, features double-overhead cams and variable valve timing to make 263 hp...
January 7, 2007
Stuffed in the back of the GM display is Pontiac. And stuffed in the back of the Pontiac section of the GM display is this G6 GXP.R racecar. Set to replace the championship winning GTO.R as Pontiac's entry in the GT class of the 2007 Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, the GXP.R will debut on the racetrack later this month at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, where it will compete against factory teams from Porsche and BMW.
Built to the specifications of the Grand American GT class, the rear-wheel drive, tube chassis GXP.R is powered by a racing version of the pushrod LS2 V-8 engine that produces approximately 450 horsepower...
Just spent 20 minutes jabbering with Jim R. Hopson, the Communications Manager for Pontiac. You remember Pontiac don't you? It's GM's excitment division...
December 15, 2006
Despite being a little rough around the edges, the Pontiac Solstice over the last 11 months, has outsold the Zoom-Zoom Miata. To date Pontiac has moved 18,361 Solstices to Mazda's 15,873 Miatas. So stunning styling is a victor over a decade-plus of refinement.
So a big "Congrats!" goes to the Pontiac boys...
November 16, 2006
The folks at GM are sending their two sportscars off to finishing school. The duo of compact roadsters receive power door lock button and adjustable-height driver’s seat in response to customers’ requests
The Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice would be the perfect sunny day playthings but for a handful of frustrating shortcomings. Fortunately, the company is engaged in a program of continuous improvement which has already seen a reinforcing brace added between the transmission and differential, a more suitable third gear ratio and more effective sealing of the roof against wind noise.
Now the company has gone further, installing a power door lock button in the cockpit and a power seat height adjuster...
November 3, 2006
It was nearly impossible to walk by this Solstice without taking a closer look. Its unique finish is called called Cosmichrome. It's a spray plating that can be applied to just about anything and comes in just about any color you want. Goldtouch Inc...
October 12, 2006
We haven't heard much of out of Pontiac lately, but it appears as though GM's performance division has been hard at work on a new version of its compact sport wagon. The 2008 Pontiac Vibe prototype caught in these recent spy photos looks a lot like the current model with its angular nose and sloping roofline. We expect it will stick with four-cylinder engines too, although an upgrade to something with more torque would be a welcome change. Expect to see this Vibe make its official debut in the spring with sales beginning next fall.
August 29, 2006
Inside Line reports that GMC will offer a minivan for model-year 2009.
Okay, the first question that will likely come screaming out of many mouths: WHY? Doesn't GM offer enough minivans already? The answer to that is that GM plans to discontinue the Saturn Relay, Buick Terraza and Pontiac Montana by 2009...
June 7, 2006
You can usually count on Jerry Flint for some thought-provoking comments. Here he comments on Pontiac's state of affairs.
Snippet: The problem today is that Pontiac is just a marketing arm, not a true automotive division. Pontiac does not have its own vice president...
June 1, 2006
Pontiac used to be known as GM's performance division, and the powers that be feel that image needs a boost. The feeling at GM is that the switch to FWD has hurt that image, hence the desire to switch back to RWD.
Snippet: Pontiac was once the performance minded division, but many industry pundits have found that GM may have lost its drive in recent years, putting out "understeering, generic-looking, front-drive blandmobiles."
April 21, 2006
Pontiac fans lose a couple of neat models, as the Vibe AWD and GT will be killed after the 2006 model year.
Snippet; Pontiac may bring back the GT and AWD versions with the next-generation Vibe, but Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson made no guarantees.
"The GT and AWD are very low-penetrating models right now," commented Hopson. "Theres still a very good possibility well resurrect both of those as we look at the next generation of the Vibe over the next couple of years."
February 21, 2006
Automotive News is reporting the death of the Pontiac GTO. According to the story, GM recently informed dealers that it will stop delivering the high performance coupe in September. According to a supplier close to the program, making the changes necessary to certify the Australian-built coupe to meet U.S. standards would cost too much for it to continue...
February 20, 2006
Last week we reported the possibility of Pontiac getting a version of the Chevrolet Cobalt to replace the discontinued Sunfire*. Now a report from Pontiac's dealer meeting at the recent NADA convention confirms it.
In a story by Automotive News, Pontiac General Manager John Larson says an entry-level coupe with a price of around $15,000 will start production this summer. We guessed it would be called the G4, but Larson said it would be called the Pontiac G5 instead...
February 1, 2006
...and learn about Mazdas!
What seemed like a great idea by Ponitac marketing folks has come back to bite them, big time. It seems the guys over at Mazda bought the words "Pontiac" and "Pontiac Solstice" as search-engine terms in its advertising efforts around the launch of the redesigned Mazda MX-5 two-seater sports car. So in addition to providing Pontiac ads, a Google search for Pontiac also provides ads that compare MX-5, also known as Miata, with the all-new Solstice.
Oh well, it seemed like a good idea at the time...
January 24, 2006
Two of Harley Earl's most famous 1950s-era concept vehicles (called "experimental cars" back then) sold for a record $6.8 million.
The 1950 General Motors Futurliner Parade of Progress Tour Bus ($4.0 million) and the 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special ($2.8 million) are classic examples of Earl show vehicles.
"To have both of these magnificent vehicles cross the block during the same event was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Barrett-Jackson Auction Company President and CEO Craig Jackson.
More fascinating info on the Futurliner can be found here...
November 3, 2005
Well, it looks like not only is Edmunds gaga over the new Pontiac Solstice,
but so is the car public, as the Wilmington, Del. plant is adding a
third shift to meet the demand. Boy, talk about polar extremes: going
from the universally damned Aztek, to the universally acclaimed
Solstice. It's been quite a ride for Pontiac these last few years is
about as big an understatement one can say...
November 2, 2005
The editors at Edmunds.com named the 2006 Pontiac Solstice as their pick for the Most Significant Vehicle for 2006 while at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. This annual award has high thresholds. The vehicle significantly changes the rules of a given segment and creates a new niche or redefines an automaker's image.
Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com noted, "the Pontiac Solstice has expanded the affordable sports roadster segment with an attractive, innovative package at a truly affordable price."
The market must be feeling the same way. Today GM announed that it will be adding a third shift at the Wilmington, Delaware plant where the Solstice is produced to meet the demands of "thousands of orders" received for this already-hot car.
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