(10:30 Aug. 26, 2003) Grand Am will likely be called G6 with 2005 redesign
By RICK KRANZ Automotive News
G6 is expected to be the name of the Pontiac sedan that replaces the Grand Am in the 2005 model year. Pontiac will show the car and announce the name next month at the dealer meeting in Las Vegas. The car will be unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January and go on sale late next year.
Pontiac-GMC General Manager Lynn Myers said the G6 name is at the top of the list.
"It seemed to work pretty well on the concept," said Myers, who was interviewed at a Chevrolet and GMC event here.
Pontiac unveiled the G6 concept, a sleek all-wheel-drive sedan with a high-horsepower V-6, at the Detroit auto show last January.
Pontiac is attempting to create a new image for the model that replaces the Grand Am. Today's Grand Am is perceived as a four-cylinder budget sedan with sales stimulated by high rebates.
The marketing focus for the Pontiac G6 will be on performance, tied to "really strong six-cylinder engines. We'll introduce a four-cylinder later on," Myers said.
The 2005 Pontiac will be built off GM's global front-wheel-drive Epsilon platform. That platform is shared with the 2003 Saab 9-3, 2003 Opel Vectra and the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu sedan and Malibu Maxx five-door hatchback.
Pontiac will launch the G6 sedan in the fourth quarter of 2004, followed a few months later by the G6 coupe. A hardtop convertible is scheduled for the
2006 model year.Myers said the Grand Am GT coupe will be built until late in 2004 and sold primarily as a fleet vehicle.