2009 U.S. EPA Ratings List A Pontiac "G3 Hatchback"; VW Jetta Diesel Rated @ 30/41MPG

[FierySolstice]

This has to be a mistake, they would not bring that Korean POS over here as a Pontiac. Now then they just started selling the G8 to reclaim Pontiac's performance heritage! That would be a slap in the face to the brand. It has to be only for Canada, they should of learned since what happened bringing the G5 over here. The Vibe is Pontiac's entry car and should stay that way, but maybe with a name change and a better car.

[FierySolstice]

Originally Posted by K Dawg ONE

I cant beleive that a website full of GM enthusists dont even know that the Aveo is already sold as the WAVE under Pontiac here in Canada (and has been since day one).
I mean, come on, I know that you guys have the GTO and I dont even live in the US, lol...

But we don't have the GTO anymore...

[FierySolstice]

Originally Posted by crooner214

It would be nice if GM brought in the three-door Aveo as a Pontiac. There was a red Chevy-badged version in a thread the other day that looked pretty good. Besides, a hatch smaller than the Vibe would complement Pontiac's current lineup (although I still would like to see it get waaaayyyy more sporty).

Yes, I know GM needs to stop rebadging products, but this seems like an excellent short-term solution to the current market conditions.

Bite your tongue, that is a HORRIBLE idea. Its bad enough that Chevy has the Aveo and can't build a car itself, but have Daewoo build one for them, but don't give it to the performance brand! My god, isn't it bad enough that we let Toyota, who makes the biggest yawn-mobiles, build the Vibe?!!

[skylark68]

With gas already hitting $4 a gallon in some markets, what would you do?

Pontiac is merely reacting in the short term which makes sense in this very volatile market. Would you rather a Pontiac dealer pick up some sales, or the Honda/Toyota dealership down the street?

[K Dawg ONE]

Originally Posted by FierySolstice
This has to be a mistake, they would not bring that Korean POS over here as a Pontiac.

FierySolstice, read above please...the PONTIAC WAVE has been here for going on 4MY now....

[spidge]

Originally Posted by VCDJ

I agree with you. How will people feel about g8? They will spend 35k on g8 and then there is g3 for 13 k. How will that help pontica image. It is already very bad. This will just make it worst. How about if gm gave pontiac something like subaru sti. That would help build pontiac image not some 3 door aveo. Aveo should stay with chevy that is where it belongs.

I agree that a rebadged Aveo is a bad move for Pontiac in the United States. If GM still had a stake in Suzuki, I'd rather see Pontiac rebadge the SX4.

Unfortunately, I don't think most American consumers care as much as those of us on this board. For someone who could be drawn into a Pontiac dealership because of the hot G8 or Solstice in the window, and be steered into a rebadged Cobalt, an Aveo with a Pontiac rebadge, bigger wheels, and a boy-racer wing on the back should be enough for them.

[wildgoosechase]

I wouldn't be opposed to a G3, just not a rebadge. How about a new Fierro based on the drivetrain from the Aveo? Basically a cheap fun to drive car for around $15k.

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

This has to be a mistake, they would not bring that Korean POS over here as a Pontiac.

You guys can all calm down. If you've followed the EPA ratings over the past thirty years, you'd notice that there are plenty of vehicles listed there that are NEVER offered in the US. Some of the vehicles are listed for Puerto Rico and other territories while some are simply rebadges that are certified just in case they want to bring them to the US. If gas prices continue to rise, Pontiac getting a G3 wouldn't be the worst idea ever devised.

[PONTIACGXP]

its the vibe there changing the name to G3 makes sense.

[K Dawg ONE]

Originally Posted by PONTIACGXP

its the vibe there changing the name to G3 makes sense.

The Vibe is not changing its name anywhere AFAIK....I think its because the US will get the WAVE (maybe called G3 in the US?) just like we here in Canada have had since MY2005

[Astra RL]

First they reject a Large RWD Buick and now they are getting an Aveo clone. While the three door is not offered here the 5 door is and there is no need for it. Maybe Pontiac should pursue "We Build Excitement" again rather than pure performance in its small cars. However an Aveo with a split grill is not excitement.

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by Wolfman01

I just did a side by side comparo of the G3 and Aveo. They are dead on identical. If they follow suit, it'll be another useless rebadge. The Aveo makes for a good cheap bottom of the barrel starter car, and is perfect for the entry into Chevy. Given Pontiac's supposed image, this car has no buisness being added to that brand.

Yup, Wolfman01.

People claim that there are too many GM divisions, whereas I claim there are too many poorly managed divisions. If GM's response to rising fuel concerns comes partially in the form of a lightly rebadged Aveo-3-the most sensible explanation of a "Pontiac G3"-then we will see that GM has learned absolutely nothing about brand management in the past two decades of fumbling with brand identity.

If GM's answer to rising fuel prices comes more in the form of the admittedly much more expensive Volt, you will see GM profit handsomely. Applying the Volt's powertrain to a variety of differently-branded vehicles makes perfect sense.

The former G3 is old school, failure-ridden GM; the latter is the promise of a stronger, multi-branded GM.

[Family Man]

This could be nothing at all, but what can Pontiac do to survive? If gas keeps climbing, the US will become what Canada was just a few years ago. Gas here was barely $1 per litre ($4 per gallon), and we drove small, efficient cars. Sunfires sold in greater volumes than Cavaliers. There are just as many 4 door G5 on our roads as Cobalts. Waves and Aveos scamper about on our roads in similar numbers to Accents and Rios.

Pontiac dealers here (who are sometimes the only GM brand in the neighborhood) needed small, efficient cars to sell, or else buyers went elsewhere. GM/Pontiac needs to be in a position to offer an inexpensive vehicle to buyers where Aveos are unavailable. G5s and Matrix may be just too expensive.

Sometimes car companies need to be flexible in order to survive. The economic landscape in the US is changing very, very fast (forget that BS that inflation is under control). I just read an article that people are paying large sums of money for used Geo Metros. It's all about survivability in the future, and GM will need to adapt most of its brands, or many dealers will close.

[Michael_S]

Remember, the way the EPA rates fuel economy changed for model year 2008. The change moved the Prius from 60/51 to 48/45.

30/41 for the Jetta under the new standard isn't bad.

[K Dawg ONE]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/24/2...d-in-montreal/