Pontiac get's it's own version of the Cobalt, within 6 months. Is this good?

 

Is it the same car as the Pontiac Persuit from Canada? If the answer is "yes", then I would have to say "no". That car is way too similar to the Cobalt.

 

No!, What happened to the GM that wanted to get away from Ponitac being rebadged Chevys? First the Montana, then Torrent now this?

 

If it's a rebadge, then no, this is not a good thing.

If they were to offer a unique car befitting of the Driving Excitement (or whatever their slogan is this week) moniker, then I would say it is a good thing.

 

I want to say no. GM keeps saying they want to reduce the number of overlapping models and stop badge-engineering cars, and then they keep bringing out more of them. So here we go again ...

However, Pontiac-Buick-GMC does need a small, entry-level car in their fold. Something to draw first-time buyers and introduce new people to their brands. As competent (notice I didn't say outstanding) as the Cobalt is, it would have been nice to see Pontiac come up with something fresher and more exciting.

 

I would say no as well....

Especially if it is a cheap re-badge.

I thought Chevy and/or Saturn was supposed to handle the volume small cars?

What happened to shrinking Buick and Pontiac to 4-5 focused models, rather than 6-7 "we need everything under each brand" concept?

FWIW... How "positive" is this G5? I haven't heard anything concrete here locally (I live in the Lordstown area)... I thought it was just a rumor?

 

BAD IDEA!!! The G6 sedan is base priced at 15 or 16k thats low enough. They are the excitement division remember not the economical division. A rebadge is pointless. I think they even f***ed up the G6 by putting a 4cyl in it. They should have kept it V6 only!

 

It is called the pontiac G4 in Mexico

edit: I noticed that Mexico is getting the Solstice.

Plus Pontaic already has the Vibe for their sub-G6 car.

 

Which is why I question the validity of the whole thing... why bother changing the name from G4 to G5?

Unless, it is something different than a straight out Cobalt copy.... perhaps a Vibe replacement or a Pontiac version of the HHR or something like that...

 

I think it's going to be the Canadian market Pursuit.

 

I thought the Mexican G4 and the Canadian Pursuit were the exact same car... the only reason they called it G4 in Mexico was because "Pursuit" didn't have any meaning in the Spanish language...

 

Pontiac is out of control the only car they need are

G6 - sedan/coupe/vert
Solstice
Grand Prix RWD (Commadore)
GTO
RWD 3-series sized sedan with both Solstice powertrains.

maybe keep the Torrent while SUV/corssovers are still hot - although it could use a different interor and engines from the Equinox

 

I saw you reading that thread on C&G. I think AH-HA was hinting at a slight exterior update, like the leaked ION pics (that program was cancelled apparently not to far from production). Also since ION production isn't moving to Lordstown for a while, likely never if the Astra is really brought here as a replacement, they have room for a new car and I would assume that GM doesn't want to waste all the money they already spent on the exterior and interior so lets make it a Pontiac. AH-HA said he thought it would be G4 sedan and G5 coupe.

I would personally like to see a compact Pontiac off of Epsilon, think SAAB 9-3, with the 2.0 SC and 5 speed stick. But alas it wouldn't sell at the price high enough to cover the cost.

 

Someone needs to decide what Pontiac is. Is it a do-everything brand? Is it more focused to "sporty" products like an American Mazda? Is it upscale Chevy? Why do we need Saturn again?

 

Well, Pontiac is screwed.

I agree with Z28Wilson, they need to focus and not waffle. Make it GMs Mazda division, but with the capability to compete with the 3 series BMWs.