GM Considering Cuts at Pontiac Assembly Center

[TuffG929]

Stick with us on this one, because the names might be a bit confusing. Because of less-than-expected demand for its full-size pickups, and despite heavy incentives, GM is considering cutting 500 workers at its Pontiac plant. And you didn't even know Pontiac had a full-size pickup in its lineup! Well, it doesn't, obviously. The General is expected to lay off those 500 workers from its Pontiac Assembly Center. That is, the Pontiac, Michigan plant where they build the recently redesigned Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. As good as they may be, they haven't exactly taken off in the marketplace. Although one could make the argument that no full-size truck is faring particularly well in this sales climate...


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[TahoeMikeZ71]

When I saw the title I thought they were going to cut Pontiac.

[mcool]

Not great news, but better to align production with demand and make the quality of sales better than find the need to pile on the rebates and degrade a fine product. I rented a Silverado while my SUV was in the shop, and I loved it. I think the overall truck market is stagnant right now thanks to the slackening demand tied to the housing market. As bad as this is for GM and the rest, I think Ford is really gonna hurt unless their new F-150 is a real game changer. They're still developing the thing and it stands to enter the market after the other players have adjusted their volume, while Ford will need the new F-150 to be a complete homerun to help fund other initiatives.

[Carguy]

I thought they were going to KILL the G5!----OH!----GOD FORBID!!

[bugalooshrimp]

First Olds.

Next dead brand is going to be GMC or Pontiac. Judging from sales it will be GMC first.

[jkennedy293]

Originally Posted by Carguy

I thought they were going to KILL the G5!----OH!----GOD FORBID!!

If they kill the G5, the Torrent is next.

And there goes the heart of the Pontiac lineup!!

[civilzues]

another blow to Michigan. Hopefully our governer stays true to her promise to help Pontiac become the capital of Oakland County again. Boy would it be nice on the drive to work...

[Tequilujan]

Yeah, the title is definitely misleading. I too thought Pontiac was on the fast track to extinction... well, it still kind of is. G5, god.

[bigtime]

Why do you say the next brand to go is GMC? No brands need to go if GM gets it through its fat head that there not going to sell anything in the volumes they used to. When they killed olds it still sold pretty well, compared to brands like volvo, etc. The problem is there are too many choices in America, so obviously every player is going to get a smaller share. Wait until the chinese come, then I am afraid its game over. I am amazed how the korean brands have taken off. Its amazing so many Americans were/are willing to contribute to the death of our auto industry to save a few hundred bucks. The only good thing imports have done is they have gotten GM and others to step up their game, so its not all bad I suppose. I am afraid unless Detroit can continue to make changes, we'll find our auto industry like that of England's. Gone. Replaced by imports.

[jbartley]

Originally Posted by bugalooshrimp

First Olds.

Next dead brand is going to be GMC or Pontiac. Judging from sales it will be GMC first.

um judging from sales, it would be pontiac.

[PontiacBixler]

These are great trucks but I wonder if it's the price point that is affecting the sales and not so much the price of gasoline?
When I price them out I always get this feeling that they are overpriced by anywhere between $3000 and $5000, almost the amount of the GM discount... hmmmmmm.....

[Hollywood]

Originally Posted by bugalooshrimp

First Olds.

Next dead brand is going to be GMC or Pontiac. Judging from sales it will be GMC first.

Someone's going to get cut sooner or later. I personally think they should kill Buick and end the madness. Well that or Saab.

I'd agree with you on GMC but I think the Silverado - prepare yourselves - is the ugliest truck I've ever seen next to the Ridgeline. The Sierra, on the other hand, is beautiful. (IMO).

[Hollywood]

Originally Posted by Tequilujan

Yeah, the title is definitely misleading. I too thought Pontiac was on the fast track to extinction... well, it still kind of is. G5, god.

The thing to remember about the G5 is that it was a stop gap measure to silence the protests of dealers - particularly in Canada where small cars prevail. Pontiac had nothing after the Sunfire. Yes, I know it's a shameless re-badge, but they needed something to fill the void. Of course that was over 2 years ago...definitely time for Lutz to get off his lazy ass (yes folks, I can't stand the guy, so shoot me).

[motorman]

the total trucks sales are going to be less going foward because a lot of the sales for the high dollar PUs were by people who bought them as a second car. these buyers did not need a PU BUT though it was cool to drive a PU and now will go to a fuel effecent car. buyers who need a PU will still be buying but in smaller numbers and they will be work trucks not the leather seats,high $$ stereos and large diameter polished aluminum wheels which brought big profits to the sale for GM

[yoblues]

Originally Posted by mcool

Not great news, but better to align production with demand and make the quality of sales better than find the need to pile on the rebates and degrade a fine product. I rented a Silverado while my SUV was in the shop, and I loved it. I think the overall truck market is stagnant right now thanks to the slackening demand tied to the housing market. As bad as this is for GM and the rest, I think Ford is really gonna hurt unless their new F-150 is a real game changer. They're still developing the thing and it stands to enter the market after the other players have adjusted their volume, while Ford will need the new F-150 to be a complete homerun to help fund other initiatives.

You live by the Truck/SUV you die by the Truck/SUV.