Pontiac Reconsiders G8 ST

[Sprint XR8]

Rick Kranz
Automotive News
December 15, 2008 - 12:01 am ET


DETROIT — Although Pontiac plans to trim nameplates in the next three years to possibly one vehicle, the front-wheel-drive 2010 G3 subcompact will arrive on schedule next spring.

But General Motors is reconsidering plans to launch the 2010 G8 ST sport pickup late next year.

"We are having lots of discussions," said Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. "We would be foolish if we didn't take a second look at whether or not that is the right thing to do."

GM developed the G8 ST on the G8 platform. Enthusiasts had compared the pickup to the Chevrolet El Camino, which ended production in the late 1980s. The G8 ST pickup was created by GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia. GM projected sales of about 5,000 units annually.
http://www.autonews.com/article/2008...812150340/1178

[MethodX]

Might as well cancel it.
Most dont seem to like it anyway.

[axeray]

Second that one

[Jayden]

Why dont they just delete Pontiac altogether. I think thats what any true pontiac fan would want after the torture GM has inflicted on it over the years.

[XR8putts]

Originally Posted by Jayden

Why dont they just delete Pontiac altogether. I think thats what any true pontiac fan would want after the torture GM has inflicted on it over the years.

Too right. That and 5,000 units annualy? - In America?!

[chevypower]

I am sure Pontiac will die soon with Saturn, and then GMC. Hummer and Saab are the only sellable brands GM has. Even then, Hummer seems to be more of a giveaway right now.

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by chevypower

I am sure Pontiac will die soon with Saturn, and then GMC. Hummer and Saab are the only sellable brands GM has. Even then, Hummer seems to be more of a giveaway right now.

I cant see why Hummer wouldn't be more suited to some of the hybrid drives.

If G8 sales are anything to go by I reckon they should can the Sport truck.

[chevypower]

That's the thing, Hummer has potential, but needs a lot of money thrown in to it to reinvent the brand. Probably not where GM wants to invest it's (lack of) money at the moment

[Rev28K]

Originally Posted by chevypower

I am sure Pontiac will die soon with Saturn, and then GMC. Hummer and Saab are the only sellable brands GM has. Even then, Hummer seems to be more of a giveaway right now.

What do SAAB have to offer anyone?

The've been promising a 9-5 replacement for ages. This is a car that in it's original form was part of the Type 4 program (late 80's/early 90's?). There are around 30 variants of the 9-3 for sale in Australia and how many do they sell a month?

[buickman]

Originally Posted by Jayden

Why dont they just delete Pontiac altogether. I think thats what any true pontiac fan would want after the torture GM has inflicted on it over the years.

With the very tough economic times the US car makers are facing it would make sense for GM US to look at all their divisions and combine them under one as back in 2004 Oldsmobile the oldest division was closed and with Chevy, Buick, Pontiac Cadillac and Saturn all having their own plants and dealers it would cut cost but at the expense of employees.

Every country has its localised tastes and the Aussie car buyer has a different taste in what style a car should be to the average American. Some of their current passenger cars are dog ugly but would sell better than a Holden or Falcon over there

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by Rev28K

What do SAAB have to offer anyone?

The've been promising a 9-5 replacement for ages. This is a car that in it's original form was part of the Type 4 program (late 80's/early 90's?). There are around 30 variants of the 9-3 for sale in Australia and how many do they sell a month?

I still find it amazing that SAAB is still open for business. I don't know anyone who drives a saab or anyone who aspires to for that matter..............

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Rev28K

What do SAAB have to offer anyone?

The've been promising a 9-5 replacement for ages. This is a car that in it's original form was part of the Type 4 program (late 80's/early 90's?). There are around 30 variants of the 9-3 for sale in Australia and how many do they sell a month?

I am not suggesting Saab is great, but it is sellable because it has it's own infrastructure to go with it. Pontiac shares the same engines, platforms as other GM brands. Same with Saturn. GMC actually couldn't be sold from GM because of the name. GMCs are the same as Chevy Trucks, and come out of the same factory. Really, GM only has Saab and Hummer to sell. Whoever buys Hummer from GM will probably need GM to supply engines, powertrains and chassis as part of the deal, to keep the H2 and H3 going. But AM General sourced engines and powertrains for the Humvee from GM before GM bought the Hummer brand from AM General anyway.

UPDATE: I just read that AM General might buy Hummer back from GM

[Bossxr8]

Why bother with the G8 ST if they only planned on selling 5000 a year anyway. Based on the sales of the G8 they could probably only sell half of that anyway, and thats what, 2-3 days of production out of Elizabeth? Waste of time and money. It would just be more vehicles sitting around in car yards they can't sell.