Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
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Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../60212001/1041
Pontiac will get Cobalt-based entry-level coupe, lose Montana minivan
By JAMIE LAREAU | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Published 02/12/06, 3:18 pm et
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DETROIT -- General Motors will give Pontiac an entry-level coupe as a stopgap measure until the division gets more brand-focused products, sources close to Pontiac say. In the process, Pontiac dealers will lose the Montana SV6 minivan.
The coupe will be a high-performance relative of the Chevrolet Cobalt coupe with some Pontiac influences. The vehicle will give the Buick-Pontiac-GMC channel a shot at the small-car market, a source close to GM says. GM is still considering names for it. One option might be the G5, sources say.
Pontiac intends to launch the coupe as a 2007 model and likely will start production this fall in Lordstown, Ohio.
The car will be priced similarly to the Chevrolet Cobalt SS supercharged coupe, which starts at $20,490, including shipping.
Pontiac eventually will lose the Montana SV6 minivan, which has seen sluggish sales and does not fit Pontiac's performance-brand image, sources say. U.S. sales of the SV6 for January fell to 1,450 units, an 11.5 percent drop from 1,638 in the year-ago period.
Pontiac has lacked an entry-level car since the Sunfire died last year.
In Canada, GM sells a Cobalt sibling called the Pontiac Pursuit.
Pontiac will get Cobalt-based entry-level coupe, lose Montana minivan
By JAMIE LAREAU | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Published 02/12/06, 3:18 pm et
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DETROIT -- General Motors will give Pontiac an entry-level coupe as a stopgap measure until the division gets more brand-focused products, sources close to Pontiac say. In the process, Pontiac dealers will lose the Montana SV6 minivan.
The coupe will be a high-performance relative of the Chevrolet Cobalt coupe with some Pontiac influences. The vehicle will give the Buick-Pontiac-GMC channel a shot at the small-car market, a source close to GM says. GM is still considering names for it. One option might be the G5, sources say.
Pontiac intends to launch the coupe as a 2007 model and likely will start production this fall in Lordstown, Ohio.
The car will be priced similarly to the Chevrolet Cobalt SS supercharged coupe, which starts at $20,490, including shipping.
Pontiac eventually will lose the Montana SV6 minivan, which has seen sluggish sales and does not fit Pontiac's performance-brand image, sources say. U.S. sales of the SV6 for January fell to 1,450 units, an 11.5 percent drop from 1,638 in the year-ago period.
Pontiac has lacked an entry-level car since the Sunfire died last year.
In Canada, GM sells a Cobalt sibling called the Pontiac Pursuit.
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Re: Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
I don't really see the point of offering an "entry level coupe" if you aren't going to offer entry level versions of it. 
Guess it's cheap enough to move ahead with this, even if you don't offer a full line of product.
If the car is basically a Pursuit / G4, then I can see how it is virtually cost-free to do, since most everything is already done... if it is significanty different than Pursuit / G4 / Cobalt, then here is one more reason why a Firebird should be able to be done cost effectively for Pontiac off the Camaro et al platform.
Guess it's cheap enough to move ahead with this, even if you don't offer a full line of product.
If the car is basically a Pursuit / G4, then I can see how it is virtually cost-free to do, since most everything is already done... if it is significanty different than Pursuit / G4 / Cobalt, then here is one more reason why a Firebird should be able to be done cost effectively for Pontiac off the Camaro et al platform.
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Re: Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
Originally Posted by Evilfrog
Dumb.
I see no point in this.......Pontiac needs a change in its business culture....they have to stop being the "me too" chevrolet.
Last edited by stars1010; Feb 13, 2006 at 11:51 AM.
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Re: Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
Originally Posted by Darth Xed
I don't really see the point of offering an "entry level coupe" if you aren't going to offer entry level versions of it.
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Re: Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
Originally Posted by Z28x
I sure hope they do more than change the grill inserts and the steering wheel badge.
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Re: Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
I know I said in another thread that Pontiac needs a Cobalt sized vehicle, but damn!!!
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Re: Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
I thought everyone agreed this would fit Pontiac's mission statement better than the "mini-van". I don't think a stripped down, weak, entry level version would?I'd still like to see a Velite at Buick, maybe based off the Solstice? only more chiseled, more like CTS.
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Re: Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
Sounds to me it's only temporary until they can fill out the portfolio: "Stopgap Measure".
If that's the case and it only being the SS and the fact they are getting rid of the Mini-Van I guess is a little hope for a "Performance Pontiac"...
If that's the case and it only being the SS and the fact they are getting rid of the Mini-Van I guess is a little hope for a "Performance Pontiac"...
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Re: Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
I don't see the problem with their having a small coupe. Certainly makes more sense than a minivan. I just hope that Cobalt SS priced means at least Cobalt SS performance. I won't be happy to see the G5 basically being the Cobalt LS with different wheels and a higher sticker.
Don't forget that Pontiac has the youngest buyers of any division. Really you almost have to ask why it took GM this long to come up with a compact for the brand.
For those looking for Pontiac to be a more limited, focused brand, understand that it won't happen, at least not that quickly. Pontiac cannot simply transition into a niche brand after spending 80 years building a humongous dealer network and huge volumes. Even if Pontiac evolves into the performance brand it needs to be, there will always be a need for a car like the G5.
Don't forget that Pontiac has the youngest buyers of any division. Really you almost have to ask why it took GM this long to come up with a compact for the brand.
For those looking for Pontiac to be a more limited, focused brand, understand that it won't happen, at least not that quickly. Pontiac cannot simply transition into a niche brand after spending 80 years building a humongous dealer network and huge volumes. Even if Pontiac evolves into the performance brand it needs to be, there will always be a need for a car like the G5.
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Re: Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
Originally Posted by Chrome383Z
Sounds to me it's only temporary until they can fill out the portfolio: "Stopgap Measure".
Now, that "stop gap" will at least fail to fill the "gap" for one year, possibly more, until the next gen GTO (or a comperable RWD sports/muscle car) is ready and this generation end after MY2006...
How many years can you keep throwing "stop gap" products at Pontiac? There should have been PLENTY of time to get Pontiac straight by this point.
This is actually starting to get annoying... they change their mind on what Pontiac should and shouldn't be before the plan even has enough time to take effect.
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Re: Pontiac to price it's "Cobalt" with Cobalt SS.
Originally Posted by Darth Xed
Ya... but..... similar things were said about the Monaro coming over as a GTO...
Now, that "stop gap" will at least fail to fill the "gap" for one year, possibly more, until the next gen GTO (or a comperable RWD sports/muscle car) is ready and this generation end after MY2006...
How many years can you keep throwing "stop gap" products at Pontiac? There should have been PLENTY of time to get Pontiac straight by this point.
This is actually starting to get annoying... they change their mind on what Pontiac should and shouldn't be before the plan even has enough time to take effect.
Now, that "stop gap" will at least fail to fill the "gap" for one year, possibly more, until the next gen GTO (or a comperable RWD sports/muscle car) is ready and this generation end after MY2006...
How many years can you keep throwing "stop gap" products at Pontiac? There should have been PLENTY of time to get Pontiac straight by this point.
This is actually starting to get annoying... they change their mind on what Pontiac should and shouldn't be before the plan even has enough time to take effect.