GM to pull the plug on Pontiac

MoPar Man · 2009-04-26T00:45:59+00:00

Does that mean that any car maker can brand a car as a Pontiac?What is the status of Plymouth? If you're not using a brand name, cansomeone else?------------------------------- to pull the plug on PontiacThe brand credited with originating the muscle car will no longer bepart of GM's future, according to a source.Last Updated: April 24, 2009: 4:39 PM ET-----------------The Pontiac G8 performance sedan has been a hit with critics but ithasn't caught on with customers.-----------------NEW YORK ( -- General Motors is preparing to announce thatthe Pontiac car brand, once marketed as GM's "Excitement division," willbe killed off, according to a source familiar with the decision.An official announcement is expected Monday. GM spokesman Jim Hopsondeclined to comment on Pontiac's fate, saying the automaker has noannouncements to make at this time.In its most recent "viability plan" - which will be updated to reflectthis new brand cut - Pontiac was not named as one of GM's four "corebrands." Those are Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. But Pontiac wasalso not to be killed or sold off, as were Saturn, Saab and Hummer.Instead Pontiac was to continue on as a "niche brand" focusing on just afew models.That was already a step down for Pontiac which in 2008 was thethird-best selling brand behind Chevrolet and GMC. That year the brandsold more than Cadillac and twice as many vehicles as Buick. Cadillac isa high-profile - and high profit - luxury brand while Buick is a hugelypopular brand in China and is seen as resurgent in the United States.In 2005, GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz referred to Buick and Pontiac as"damaged brands" during a conference at the New York Auto Show. That setoff speculation that one or both of these brands was doomed.With a focus on affordable luxury, Buick's hopes have been revived bymodels like the popular Enclave crossover SUV. Improvements in BuickQuality, which earned a top ranking in a recent J.D. Power dependabilitysurvey and a public acknowledgement by...

Apr 26, 2009 22 Replies

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Joe Pfeiffer 17 years ago

No, I meant 1969. First produced in 1959, and according to the article "Minis were marketed under the Austin and Morris names until Mini became a marque in its own right in 1969." They've got a cite on this statement, which I haven't looked up.

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Dori A Schmetterling 17 years ago

Quite. I thought the Cooper was just a souped-up version of the Mini, a bit like Cosworth for, e.g. Ford (of Europe; used to be).

DAS

To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling"

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Dori A Schmetterling 17 years ago

Could be, could be.

DAS

To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling"

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