[Perian]

Welcome to America!
Pontiac brings us their Aveo...err..G3!

​

Link: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080602/ANA06/806020358/1205


Jamie LaReau and Richard Truett - Automotive News

DETROIT — General Motors wants to raise its fuel economy by adding a Pontiac subcompact.

Dealer sources say GM plans to bring to the United States the Pontiac G3, a platform mate of the Chevrolet Aveo that is sold in Canada and Mexico.

GM also hopes to boost sales of the redesigned Aveo5 five-door when it arrives in showrooms in July, a spokesman says.

The EPA has approved for sale the Pontiac G3 and G3 five-door, twins of the Aveo. The G3 is certified as a 2009 model, according to the agency's Web site.

The site says both G3s and the 2009 Aveo5 are powered by a 1.6-liter engine and four-speed automatic transmission. They are EPA-rated at 25 mpg city and 34 highway.

Pontiac sells the current version of the G3 in Canada, where it is called the Wave, and in Mexico. News of the G3's 2009 EPA ratings caught some Pontiac executives by surprise.

Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson said executives learned over Memorial Day weekend that the EPA had certified the G3.

One dealer told Automotive News that a GM executive confirmed to him this year that Pontiac would get a G3 compact based on the Aveo. The dealer says many dealers don't want a small economy car in Pontiac's lineup. Others inside GM say it's a move to round out the Buick-Pontiac-GMC channel.

Full article at link.

 

[Perian]

Pontiac sells the current version of the G3 in Canada, where it is called the Wave, and in Mexico. News of the G3's 2009 EPA ratings caught some Pontiac executives by surprise.

Those executives should spend a little time on this website.
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/...tchback-vw-jetta-diesel-rated-30-41mpg-64489/

 

[burningsquirrel]

they should keep the aveo out of pontiac in the u.s. at least. here at home, pontiac should have a performance image, not economy.

 

[AndrewGS]

Lets give one to Cadillac (called the WTF) and Hummer (H0) as well to up their fuel economy average!

 

[CamaroCrazy]

I think adding a car with good fuel economy is a good idea in this day and age, but its frustrating knowing that this car is another old-time grille-swap GM rebadge job.

 

[CharlotteFirebird]

What an embarrassment. If I were purchasing an Aveo-sized vehicle, I would just get the Chevy to save Pontiac the embarrassment.

 

[FierySolstice]

They have the Vibe, isn't that a joke enough!?!? You kill the GTO and Firebird and give us a Korean G3?? WTF GM?!?! I'm going to VW, they know how to build hot hatches!!!

 

[treekiller]

That's why it's Corporate _AVERAGE_ Fuel Economy.

No-One, not Toyota, not anyone can get close to the Generals ability to Cross-Breed cars and throw numbers at that average... without actually changing much. I know a lot of people are gonna complain. but the Aveo is a nice little car and hopefully will sell good as a Pontiac. While I would like to see them build more cars in the states. the market is going to take care of that. with the dollar crapping out, and A LOAD of skilled workers on enemployment. manufacturing will come back in a big way.. and if it dosent.. we we will never be able to fend off the chineese. and then it won't matter anyway.

Jeff

But, we are in a unique time in our history. many of the WWII vets (those that remember the depression) are getting to "that age" and the following generations don't have the same pride or fears. the "ME" generation is nearing retirement and we know they don't give a care, and the Gen-Xers are too busy trying to save the planet right now. and the Milenials, they won't play if they can't win... so they don't bother.

 

[CharlotteFirebird]

That's why it's Corporate _AVERAGE_ Fuel Economy.

True, but it's Corporate Average, not Division Average. I understand that BPG dealers need something fuel efficient...and that they can't wait for a new car.

That said, they have the G5 and the Vibe. I think that's enough without totally killing the brand image (for now), even though neither of those should be around.

If Pontiac should have really small car, it should be a small hatch, with turbo option.

 

[treekiller]

They have the Vibe, isn't that a joke enough!?!? You kill the GTO and Firebird and give us a Korean G3?? WTF GM?!?! I'm going to VW, they know how to build hot hatches!!!

????<confused>??????
Dosent the ecotec 2.0DI-t stomp a mud hole into the VW 2.0DI-t

the GTI is a tarted up heavyweight Pig of a hatchback.

The euro/Dollar exchange rate is messed up so the VW is overpriced.

so it's
1. Slow
2. Heavy
3. Overpriced

Oh yes, The quintessential formula for a "hot hatch".. Hot hatches need to be small, light , cheap and nimble.

The toyota Yaris 3 door fits the Hot hatch bill better then the Golf has since MK-III and a Coupe G3 is about as close as the US can come with current platforms... as an owner of an original Rabbit GTI and it's whopping 100hp there is somthing magical about a good hot hatch and the current Golf does not posess that magic.

The Golf has gotten slower, heavier and more expensive with each generation, as has the Civic and Corolla, and Sentra. and all the cool little cars we used to turn into snot rockets. and a 100hp 2300lb car, with a twist beam axle IS the formula the GTI used. any idiot can make power. lightness has to be purchased.

 

[joemac]

I'm not sure I understand how GM greatly benefits with the G3 under CAFE. For all we know, or would seem this is simply a badge job. Nothing dramatically different in powertrains. Doesn't this just dilute GM's own sales?

Example theory:

Previous year GM sells 50k Aveos
This year with Aveo sells 40k and G3 10k = the previous 50K volume

Certainly GM isn't of the mind set that just because it has the Pontiac arrow, that it's going to sell enough to be of significance, especially when your value volume brand Chevrolet has the exact same model.

Not sure I get this one.

 

[stick076]

I think adding a car with good fuel economy is a good idea in this day and age, but its frustrating knowing that this car is another old-time grille-swap GM rebadge job.

I couldn't agree more.

VW has proved for years that small FWD cars can be a lot of fun to drive. A true Pontiac subcompact would be like a big go kart and could be a riot to cruise around town. Instead, they get a decent at best car with a terrible drivetrain. Pontiac should be going up against VW and Scion with fun to drive, great looking cars. Instead, they will be fighting against Chevy, Toyota, Honda, etc.

 

[GMC-70]

They have done it before---why not do it again. Anyone remember the Korean Lemans?---now that was a disgrace to the Lemans name.

If this is what they have to do to justify cars like the G8 then it is what it is.

 

[FenwickHockey65]

Christ...
Look GM, it'll be all right as long as the G3 doesn't look exactly like the Aveo...it's bad enough that Pontiac's getting this thing, don't insult them further by creating another Cobalt/G5 thing.

 

[ARCANGEL]

exactly if they need this car to meet cafe so they can keep the G8's etc so be it.

 

[stick076]

????<confused>??????
Dosent the ecotec 2.0DI-t stomp a mud hole into the VW 2.0DI-t

the GTI is a tarted up heavyweight Pig of a hatchback.

The euro/Dollar exchange rate is messed up so the VW is overpriced.

so it's
1. Slow
2. Heavy
3. Overpriced

Oh yes, The quintessential formula for a "hot hatch".. Hot hatches need to be small, light , cheap and nimble.

The toyota Yaris 3 door fits the Hot hatch bill better then the Golf has since MK-III and a Coupe G3 is about as close as the US can come with current platforms... as an owner of an original Rabbit GTI and it's whopping 100hp there is somthing magical about a good hot hatch and the current Golf does not posess that magic.

The Golf has gotten slower, heavier and more expensive with each generation, as has the Civic and Corolla, and Sentra. and all the cool little cars we used to turn into snot rockets. and a 100hp 2300lb car, with a twist beam axle IS the formula the GTI used. any idiot can make power. lightness has to be purchased.

Have you drive a new Rabbit? Or the new GTI? Or the 3 door Yaris? I have driven them all and regularly drive my GTI and my girlfriend's 3 door Yaris. The current GTI is amazing to drive for the money. It is also at about the same performance as the MKIV R32...How does that make it slower??? To even say that the Yaris is remotely close to as fun to drive or "magical" as the current GTI is just asinine.

As for the weight, government regulations have changed over the years. Increased safety is mandatory and without the use of expensive, exotic, lightweight materials, the weight will go up. I do agree there is something special about the old GTI and like cars but those days have (unfortunately) past.

As until the GM 2.0T gets into a respectable and useful vehicle, it is just another waste of an amazing motor. I don't understand for the life of me why GM can't make a hatch desirable to the under 30 crowd.

 

[nsap]

And people wondered why I call for the death of Pontiac...

The dealerships cannot accept a Pontiac in the form that it needs to be!!!!

 

[HotCarNut]

If they're going to stick Pontiac with the G3, the least they can do is make that beautiful Holden Coupe 60 concept available as a production GTO for the US. In fact, kill the Pontiac Sport Truck (or whatever its' name is today) and bring the coupe instead. Oh, and don't forget the GXP versions of the G8 and the Coupe 60.

 

[johnstarnes]

Lets give one to Cadillac (called the WTF) and Hummer (H0) as well to up their fuel economy average!

Lol!! Good ones!!!!

 

[johnstarnes]

Those mileage ratings strike me as low for SUCH small cars.