Quote:
Originally Posted by jasaero
Even with an expanded dealer network I am not totally convinced that Saturn would outsell Pontiac. Really Pontiac as a sporty division is just as well equiped to offer what you are asking for. I see your point of needing an anti-chevy for now, but I think the whole point of what GM is trying to do now is to win over these customers that refuse to drive chevy because they see it as low tech american made crap. The goal is to get them to understand chevy is NOT that and if they accomplish that Saturn as the restyled and tuned Chevys doing duty as Anti-Chevy's is pointless.
They do need a division in the long run like pontiac though that offers somthing like a chevy but with a more bad boy and sporting styling and tune.
Saturn is pointless though if GM can convince the coastal sorts GM cars are cool again. No need for a seperate Saturn/Anti-Chevy network then. Would just be a wasted dealer resource then and we all know how the extra dealer problem is hitting the bottom line now.
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Pontiac's thousands of dealers to Saturns hundreds of dealers says you're wrong.
Pontiac as a sporty division works fine. But we cannot trust GM to keep on that track. Pontiac has exactly 2 cars that fit that persona -- G8 and Solstice. The rest is trash. What is the use of a G5? Or a Pontiac Wave/G4(3)? Performance?
We're not talking long run here. In the long run, if GM doesn't make the decisions now, GM will be dead or completely divested.
There is NO point in Pontiac at this stage of the game.
I don't want to see Pontiac as a rebadge brand, losing its identity.
What you want are sales. GM wants sales. But the customer wants to be proud of a car they just bought. And the #1 complaint about GM is that they don't understand the customer. GM builds a mish mash of crap. And Pontiac's goal has been lost.
People want Pontiac to become Holden? Have you checked out the Holden lineup lately? A few Aussie cars with a few Opels. I don't want to see a Pontiac Captiva!! And a G8 family is not enough to support Pontiac.
Without Pontiac in the way, this can clear the path for Chevrolet to revamp its image. it can be a sophisticated American car. It doesn't have to cling to its trashy reputation and image.
Instead of GM whining about losing brands, GM can build us a better Chevy.