Rumors & Rumblings: The future of RWD, small cars, compact SUVs-and Pontiac?-at GM

[Supremus]

Let's face it... Pontiac is going the Oldsmobile way. The only non-overlapping product in the current line is the G8 (yet it's unconfortably close to the CTS), and it's success has yet to be measured. No new investments after 2013, the "all RWD" plan shot down by CAFE... the writing is on the wall.

[yoblues]

Just when GM is emerging from the fog the rat sucking beancounters want to drag it back in.

[skylark68]

Can Buick/GMC dealers survive without Pontiac? Pontiac is the entry level brand for those dealers and I don't see them doing too well without those sales. I know people on this board complain about the G5, G6, and Vibe, but I see them all over the place. I doubt Pontiac is going to be killed off, but will survive as a Chevrolet alternative as it has been for a couple of decades. I don't see RWD exclusives as was forecast pre-CAFE. I do still see a reason for a Firebird to exist though. It's cheap, easy, and a minimal investment to get it in the hands of the dealers. And, it's a Chevrolet alternative for those that don't buy Chevy's. There are still plenty of folks out there that love GM but wouldn't buy a Chevy. I'm guilty of this. I'd rather have the Pontiac, GMC, or Buick alternative to a Chevy almost any day.

[Beau]

Thats find if they cannot produce a RWD g6 for 18k. Make it 20K. Whats with the problem here. Make the shytie little eco fwd garabge G5 for 16k.

Pontiac should be making updated versions of the 240SX.

[FierySolstice]

This is ridiculous! If GM kills Pontiac, they will loose me as a customer forever. Pontiac has soo much potential, but they don't do anything about it. The Pontiac lineup should be as follows:

Solstice
G2 - Hot hatch (GTI/Mazda3 hatch)
G4 - Small sport driven sedan (ie Jetta/Mazda 3)
G6 - Midsize sedan/coupe (possibly convertible) (Malibu/Aura)
Fiero - Small coupe (like the Nissan Z)
Firebird - Midsize coupe (smaller than Camaro)

Thats all that they need and these all can still be fun cars. They don't need a large sedan, Chevy and Buick have that covered. This only goes regarding the CAFE guidelines. If possible a G8 would be great and so would RWD in all of them. Pontiac is a great brand, they just lost their way somewhere.

Now Buick should of been killed with Oldsmobile!

[CrunkedRL]

I feel if GM cannot bring the 'excitement' back to the Pontiac nameplate it should be cancelled. Over the past decade I've watched this brand languish and it's a lil' disapponiting to see that the Pontiac of today is no more than a shell of what it used to be. With no definite product rollouts slated for the future the brand's fate really concerns me. However, I believe despite the revitalization going on at Cadillac and other GM divisions there is still room for a exclusively sporty and performance driven line of products under the Pontiac nameplate just as with Dodge. I'm hoping future news will be more promising as I would hate to see Pontiac go the way of Oldsmobile.

[WishIhadatruck]

If moving Pontiac to RWD is doomed because of CAFE then how would going to an AWD line up be any better? It looks more and more like Pontiac will just go away.

[FierySolstice]

Originally Posted by Supremus

Let's face it... Pontiac is going the Oldsmobile way. The only non-overlapping product in the current line is the G8 (yet it's unconfortably close to the CTS), and it's success has yet to be measured. No new investments after 2013, the "all RWD" plan shot down by CAFE... the writing is on the wall.

And Buick with its 3 vehicles isn't?!?! I know the Enclave is a hit, but come on! One vehicle can't save the brand.

[Nelson Kyle K]

Well GM can kiss me good buy, and they can all of my Law Enforcement brethren good buy too. As far as the epsilon and lambda platforms can kiss my butt I would not buy those pieces of junk period... Well looks like Dodge Charger will be my NEW FRIEND! Maybe a Ford or a Hyundai would be good to, but I know one thing no RWD with Chevrolet they Kiss my ass and money good buy.

[Maetrix66]

I think GM needs to make decisions, and fast, once all of this "the sky is falling" crap reaches the mainstream, GM can kiss any hope of regaining marketshare goodbye.

[Tequilujan]

I would love to see Pontiac go the route of having 2 agile, small, rwd and awd turbo 4's and 6's models, and the g8. That's allthey need. they will be fun cars that get a lot of attention. It would also be something that would draw in some younger crowds.

[monza164]

3 things on my mind;

I think GM's product planning needs to be more focused in general. How many midsize SUV/CUV's do they have competing for essentially the same market?

I think were're going to see the 70's all over again, HOPEFULLY GM can learn from it's mistakes form those doom and gloom times.

What if GM made Saturn their "green" brand? Just drop the Outlook, import a Corsa and diesels for the Astra and they could seriously challenge Honda, who is held back with the Ridgeline and Pilot.

[stevecmh]

these next few years will be interesting to see what will be happening

[t-rex]

It doesn't take a soothsayer to see that Pontiac's demise will come some time around 2013.

[goggles pizano]

If the rumors are accurate and I think they are you will see GM concentrate on the growing markets like China, India and Russia. Which means that they will take what the can in the us market and move on.