View Single Post
Old 09-06-2008, 05:34 PM   #155 (permalink)
LeSabre
6.2 Liter LS3 V8
 
LeSabre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Drives: 1988 Buick LeSabre(4dr) Goes by the name Katherine
Posts: 3,480
Re: Pontiac's Uncertain Future

Quote:
Originally Posted by eb110americana View Post
Pontiac's old lineup:
  • Sunfire (coupe, sedan, & convertible)
  • Grand Am (coupe & sedan)
  • Grand Prix (coupe & sedan)
  • Bonneville (sedan)
  • Firebird/Trans Am (coupe & convertible)
  • Trans Sport/Montana (minivan)

That's 6 models with 11 different body styles available (counting a coupe as unique from a sedan, etc.). Of these 11, only 2 were RWD.

Pontiac's current lineup:
  • Vibe (tall wagon)
  • G5 (coupe & sedan)
  • G6 (coupe, sedan, & hardtop convertible)
  • G8 (sedan & pickup)
  • Solstice (coupe & convertible)
  • Torrent (crossover SUV)

We still have 6 models and 11 different body styles available. Of these 11, only 4 are RWD.

Here is what I propose for Pontiac's future lineup:
  • "X-factor" youth compact hatch based off of heavily modified Astra to fight Mini Cooper
  • G4 (coupe & sedan)
  • G6 (coupe & sedan)
  • G8 (sedan)
  • Solstice (coupe)
  • GTO (coupe)

That's still 6 cars, but with only 8 body style variants. Moreover, the past and present lineups used 6 separate platforms to create a 6 model line. Not so with what I have proposed. The compact hatch would share Delta II, requiring less investment, but it would be a unique, volume model and Pontiac's only FWD vehicle. G4 would be a sub-compact, 4-cylinder-only, RWD sedan sharing a small RWD Kappa II architecture with Solstice and using some components from Alpha. Speaking of which, Alpha would underpin the G6 and GTO. Lastly, Zeta would support a G8--but would need to get lighter and more fuel efficient or die off as gas prices mean only the affluent can afford large performance sedans. That's a full lineup off only 4 platforms.

The former FWD G6 following would be split into several groups:
-Those wanting a FWD midsize car, who would be directed to Malibu, Aura, LaCrosse, or 9-5 (all on Epsilon II, many flavors to choose from)
-Those wanting a unique Pontiac performance sedan who would be able to buy a RWD G6 with slightly less interior volume, or select the smaller RWD G4
-Those wanting a fun, FWD Pontiac with decent interior space for very little money would purchase the compact hatch

The last gen Grand Prix was never offered as a coupe, only as a sedan.
The G5, to my knowledge is not sold in the US as a sedan, at least not yet. I have never seen a G5 sedan, only a coupe. I go thru the local Pontiac dealer often & never seen any G5 sedans.
__________________
If GM had some balls, they'd revoke the death/phasing out of Pontiac.
LeSabre is offline   Reply With Quote