GM is burying Pontiac

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Capture more market share, me thinks. Some people who didn't do their due dilligence might go "I hateeeeeeeeeee GM, but looooooooove Pontiac."

That strategy sound about right for GM. Be sneaky and hope your customer base is stupid enough to buy your car, instead of building a great car that will bring attention to your company for legitimate reasons.

[4X4]

Was just reading an article. Nothing really new that hasn't been discussed in the thread already, but I did find this graph interesting as well as this snippet




The GMC brand of trucks and sport-utility vehicles could also be in danger. The Obama auto task force, noting that GMC sells models similar to Chevrolet, has pressed GM to make a convincing case the brand should survive.


and


GM has more than three months' supply of Pontiacs on dealer lots, according to Edmunds.com. Last month, the average Pontiac sold for 22% off the sticker price, compared with the industry average of 16%, Edmunds said.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by kobafett

I was thinking of buying a Pontiac Torrent, is that a bad idea now or should I use this news to try and get a better deal.

The torrent was going to be discontinued anyways. It was and is being replaced by the GMC Terrain


http://www.rpmgo.com/gmc-terrain-to-...ontiac-torrent


The Pontiac Vibe will also be renamed and kept.

[Table 5]

Looks like Saturn is done as well. Penske backed out of the deal to buy it up.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/30/news...ion=2009093017

[4X4]

It still mystifies me why GM had so many brands anyway. Good riddance to another faux brand.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by 4X4

It still mystifies me why GM had so many brands anyway. Good riddance to another faux brand.

They bought most of them.

From Wiki:


The Pontiac name was first used in 1900 by the Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works. The name was taken from Chief Pontiac, an American Indian chief who led an unsuccessful uprising against the British shortly after the French and Indian War. The Oakland Motor Company and Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works Company merged in November 1908 under the name of the Oakland Motor Car Company. The operations of both companies were merged in Pontiac, Michigan (of Oakland County) to build the Cartercar. General Motors, in 1909, purchased Oakland.

Durant was a natural promoter, and Buick soon became the largest car maker in America. Using the profits from this, Durant embarked on a series of corporate acquisitions, calling the new mega-corporation General Motors.


Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant in 1911, Chevrolet was acquired by General Motors in 1917.


I read a bit of an article saying how these needed to be done but that there is a very solid group that would only ever buy each brand ("My Daddy bought Buick, I buy Buick" type) and by closing down those nameplates they are going to lose a sizeable chink of loyal customers (even though pretty much the identical car is available in another GM brand)