Pontiac G3 Comes State-Side!

[eb110americana]

Pontiac G3 Comes State-Side!
Pontiac's rebadged future begins!
www.gminsidenews.com
September 18, 2008

Detroit - Expanding its portfolio in the rapidly growing small car segment, Pontiac announced plans to bring the sporty, five-door hatchback G3 to U.S. showrooms early next year. When it arrives, the G3 will provide Pontiac with a total of four vehicles capable of more than 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

Already successful in Canada (as the Pontiac G3 Wave) and Mexico (as a sedan model), the G3 offers an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway while providing the best shoulder and hip room in the segment for seating five adults.

“The small car segment has literally exploded in recent months, with sales up nearly 33 percent in the first six months of 2008 alone,” said Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. “With its proven success in other markets, we felt the time was right to bring the G3 into the BPG portfolio for our U.S. customers.”

The 2009 G3 will join the all-new 2009 Vibe (32 mpg) and recently enhanced 2009 versions of the G6 sedan (33 mpg) and G5 coupe (37 mpg) in Pontiac’s “Over 30” club.

“More than ever, fuel economy is an important factor in Pontiac’s formula of style and performance,” said Docherty. “The Vibe, G3, G5, and G6 prove that you don’t have to sacrifice sporty design and responsive driving to achieve impressive fuel economy.”

Generating 106 horsepower (79 kW), the G3’s 1.6L Ecotec four-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission. It will also feature an unusually rich mix of standard features for an entry-level car, including air conditioning, a CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary input jack, fog lamps, rear spoiler, OnStar, and a host of standard safety features, including four airbags, that gain the G3 a five-star frontal crash rating.

Interior space is optimized to comfortably seat five adults, including “theater”-style seating for rear seat passengers. The rear seats also feature a 60/40 split to offer up to 42 cubic feet of cargo space.

The Pontiac G3 will arrive in U.S. showrooms in spring 2009 as a 2009 model and will be backed by GM’s five-year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. Pricing will be announced closer to introduction.

[eb110americana]

The apocalypse is nigh my friends.

[King Riffle]

When GM gives a blatant rebadge to another division,

"That's not change, that's more of the same!"

[LAChevy24]

just one question enters my mind: WHY?

[eb110americana]

"The Vibe, G3, G5, and G6 prove that you don't have to sacrifice sporty design and responsive driving to achieve impressive fuel economy."

...they said as they killed the Solstice/Sky Kappa, Firebird/Trans Am, GTO, Alpha Pontiac (probably), G8 wagon, and G8 coupe. Yeah, an econobox from Korea is the same thing. This was fine as a Chevy, why did it have to cheapen cars like the G8 by sharing the same showroom floor? It's such a blatant rebadge of the cheapest car GM sells.

[crooner214]

Originally Posted by LAChevy24

just one question enters my mind: WHY?

I give two separate answers:

1. CAFE

2. Dealer's whining about not having an true entry level car

Discuss...

[Millefune]

It looks like it's smiling. I like it better than the Aveo. I didn't know that the Aveo had the best shoulder and hip room of the sub-compact class.

I'll still never get one though, because I'm racist toward Koreans.

[Odin]

what a ****ing joke, rebadge city here we come, same car different badge in the same country just say no.

[Minnesota Nice]

Watch them charge more for it than the Aveo, even though its the exact same car.

No wonder GM is where it's at.

[Xenon]

Like Autoblog says, excitement has left the building. Seriously, Pontiac should die now.

[Jimmy Jive]

Although the G3 has been sold up here in Canada for awhile now (as the Pontiac Wave), I've lately been hearing this one radio ad, asking customers to give "Pontiac small cars a try". Only advertising the G5, Vibe, and G3.

I hope those rumours of Pontiac becoming a small car company are false...

[FenwickHockey65]

*shoots self in head in despair*

[LeSabre]

The only small Pontiac car I would give a try is the Solstice. Its the only small car Pontiac has that has any worth to it.
The only 2 cars that have any meaning to what Pontiac was & should be again are the Solstice & G8. Time for GM/Pontiac to fill the gaps w/RWD cars & that includes a new Firebird!!

The G3 is a complete & utter disgrace to Pontiac.

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by eb110americana

2009 G3 Offers Sporty Functionality, Fuel Efficiency, Value[/b]

* Sporty, small five-door available in spring 2009

"More than ever, fuel economy is an important factor in Pontiac's formula of style and performance," said Docherty. "The Vibe, G3, G5, and G6 prove that you don't have to sacrifice sporty design and responsive driving to achieve impressive fuel economy."

They use the word sporty way too much for a car that is the exact opposite. Responsive driving? If the G3 = responsive driving than every car currently offered by any manufacturer = responsive driving. Stupid.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by crooner214

I give two separate answers:

1. CAFE

2. Dealer's whining about not having an true entry level car

Discuss...

Yes and Yes.

Aside from the fact that GM needs to get more higher-MPG number cars, BPG dealerships have nothing in this segment to sell. so they launched this car to attract new customers.

Honestly, it wouldn't bother me as long as they vehicle has some sporty characteristics - but unfortunately it doesn't.

However, one must wonder, if GM was really hell bent on getting more folks at Pontiac showrooms, why have they not introduced a sedan version of the G5 yet? One Pontiac dealer on GMI said that the greater majority of folks looking for a C-Segment product are looking for a sedan, not a coupe.

If you are going to badge-engineer a lineup, you'd think they would have considered this already.