Goodbye Pontiac

[Southstander]

I just heard that GM is getting rid of the Pontiac name plate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44kg0IENTPU

[LarryDean]

I always thought GMC having so many different brands was bogus anyhow and when it really mattered was before my time ....

However this is a sad loss in American History ....

[ebsoria]

Where'd ya hear it? Because I read the other day that GM plans to make it part of a "highly focused niche brand" to be sold specialty-wise with Buick and GMC trucks.




Off to car heaven: Saturn, Saab, Hummer
Posted Feb 17 2009, 09:35 PM

Say goodbye to Saturn. And Saab and Hummer, for that matter. Pontiac, too, for all intents and purposes.

Unless buyers (a few million of us -- or maybe just a couple of really adventurous billionaires) step forward, three of General Motors’ eight brands are now destined to join Oldsmobile in the history books. A fourth will be relegated to “niche” status, says GM. The company, until last year the world’s largest automaker, announced plans Tuesday that would drastically scale back its operations in order to stay alive.

Production of Saturn cars would stop in 2011 if the brand hasn’t been sold, GM said. Execs will decide whether to pull the plug on Hummer at the end of March, though rumors of Chinese interest have emerged (and been discounted) several times. The company says Saab will be an “independent business entity as of Jan. 1, 2010.” Take that to mean “dead” unless a reluctant Swedish government can be convinced to step in. Pontiac will emerge as a “highly focused niche brand” sold through Buick and GMC Truck showrooms.
All necessary steps, for sure. And insignificant, compared with the long-term future of the workers who make them and the towns that depend upon them.

Yet we’ll mourn these brands even if we won’t miss them.

Who'll be writing songs about Hyundais

[ebsoria]

Saab is a changing now.


February 20, 2009
ShareSaab files for bankruptcy
Following submission of GM’s restructuring plan to Congress, which referenced selling or restructuring its Saab division, the Swedish company has filed for bankruptcy. The GM plan stated that it planned to sell or reorganize Saab unless the Swedish government stepped in with financial aid of its own. Yesterday, the Swedish parliament rejected any aid for Saab, and the country’s smaller of two automakers filed for bankruptcy. (Its larger carmaker, Volvo, is owned by Ford, which is also looking to sell its Swedish subsidiary.)

What does this mean to you? First off, we do recommend the 9-3 and the 9-5. They have good power from their turbocharged engines and crash test results are strong. But there are many other upscale cars that outscore these dated designs in our tests. In fact, the 9-3 and 9-5 both are at the bottom of the Ratings for cars we recommend.

If you’re considering a Saab, you might go into a dealership and see big discounts. Don’t think this is necessarily a fire sale due to the bankruptcy. Saabs traditionally have always had large discounts. Despite those deals, Saabs clearly found too few buyers anyway.

Bankruptcy doesn’t mean Saab is necessarily leaving the U.S. market. GM states that Saab will restructure within 90 days. They may find a buyer; if they do, we could still see 9-3s and 9-5s for sale for years to come. To this end, GM is willing to help underwrite continued vehicle development – spy shots of the next-generation 9-5 have been seen recently.

But if they don’t find a buyer, there is a potential for them to leave this market, which would have a big effect on resale value. It seems that 90 days isn’t too long to wait if you’re considering spending tens of thousands of dollars on a Saab.

If you own a Saab, parts availability shouldn’t be a problem. There is a large number of these cars here and GM globally continues to build similar products. The Saab Web site notes that GM will back the warranties of these cars.

[ebsoria]

Sorry... Im in the car business, specifically with a GM brand and we are force fed this stuff as soon as it come out pretty much.

[LarryDean]

I had only heard it in rumor and dont believe it could happen

[Southstander]

Where'd ya hear it? Because I read the other day that GM plans to make it part of a "highly focused niche brand" to be sold specialty-wise with Buick and GMC trucks.




Off to car heaven: Saturn, Saab, Hummer
Posted Feb 17 2009, 09:35 PM

Say goodbye to Saturn. And Saab and Hummer, for that matter. Pontiac, too, for all intents and purposes.

Unless buyers (a few million of us -- or maybe just a couple of really adventurous billionaires) step forward, three of General Motors’ eight brands are now destined to join Oldsmobile in the history books. A fourth will be relegated to “niche” status, says GM. The company, until last year the world’s largest automaker, announced plans Tuesday that would drastically scale back its operations in order to stay alive.

Production of Saturn cars would stop in 2011 if the brand hasn’t been sold, GM said. Execs will decide whether to pull the plug on Hummer at the end of March, though rumors of Chinese interest have emerged (and been discounted) several times. The company says Saab will be an “independent business entity as of Jan. 1, 2010.” Take that to mean “dead” unless a reluctant Swedish government can be convinced to step in. Pontiac will emerge as a “highly focused niche brand” sold through Buick and GMC Truck showrooms.
All necessary steps, for sure. And insignificant, compared with the long-term future of the workers who make them and the towns that depend upon them.

Yet we’ll mourn these brands even if we won’t miss them.

Who'll be writing songs about Hyundais

NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.

[Southstander]

I had only heard it in rumor and dont believe it could happen

It happen with Plymouth.

[dragster69]

I don't see it happening. Heck, I just hope GM doesn't go under before they release the new Camaro... :thumb:

[DawgFanatic]

Those nimrods deserve to go under as far as i know.......