Ressurecting Pontiac?

[Vega]

We're all thinking it so im just saying it, should we rally to bring back our long lost evil twin? I've been pondering this, along with many many other people i would assume, so im very interested in starting a thread about it. So to start off the discussion here's a few reasons why i believe Pontiac should be re-instated:


-First of all Pontiac started the "muscle car" as we know it today when it dropped the biggest V8 it could find into the Pontiac Le Mans (which would go on to become the GTO) and challenged Ferrari to a duel of GTOs. After the smoke cleared Pontiac had pulled off a miraculous win and so born was the American muscle car. (lets just neglect the fact that Pontiac cheated, LOL, they arent known as the "Darth Vadar of the road" for nothing LOL). Not only did Pontiac start the muscle car, it reigned supreme through most of the muscle car era, and became the last standing true muscle car after the government castrated our beloved coupes. Pontiac kept the dream alive for years with the 455, then the 400, and still refused to compramise by adding turbo chargers when all else failed.

-Pontiac started it with the GTO but remained on the fore-front of "badass" with the Trans Am. Sure Mustang fans can boast that they have the only muscle car to survive every year since its birth, but who can possibly compare a 2nd Gen Trans Am to a fox-body Mustang? It just doesnt happen, the econo-box stang gets lost in that menacing black coat, the bezeled gauges, and especially that torque-breathing dragon on the hood. From the muscle car era, past the muscle car era, into the modern era, the Trans Am was THE car to have hands down.

-Now i could go on and on about the company's past exploits but what's really important is the market place today. Recently the market has swayed into the favor of the muscle car. People are putting aside their petty penny-pinching attitudes for a taste of true freedom that only an American V8 can provide. Now in a time like this, how can Pontiac be over-looked? Pontiac is a virtual gold-mine waiting to be tapped, the GTO, Trans Am, and any other performance models that arent just re-badged bogus models would sell out faster than anything seen in recent history. How can GM stand and say GMC is a better investment than Pontiac when all it consists of is re-badged Chevrolet trucks? Its just not the same "muscle car war" without the flagship bad-boy brand. Pontiac could be the definate savior GM needs right now if they would just put in the time and effort needed. No more lame re-badging, stick to the hot issue right now which is muscle, muscle, MUSCLE! and never stray from the idea that Pontiac is the premiere performance brand.

**With the market today, how can it be over-looked so easily? So I ask the publics oppinion, what would you think about a revival of the red arrow?

[Mr. Wyndham]

Since it isn't even dead yet...

No. I'd have to vote against the "ressurection" of Pontiac. I would agree only on one of two conditions:

One: GM regains approx. 5-8% market share.
or
Two: They drop another brand and replace it with Pontiac.

[Kelso]

to be honest im upset they went out of busisness and would love it if they came back..nice write up

[meanmike]

Maybe if were lucky in several year's they will make a comeback like the Camaro only it will be with a Firebird and one or two other's and with any luck it will do well.

[Milk 1027]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Since it isn't even dead yet...

No. I'd have to vote against the "ressurection" of Pontiac. I would agree only on one of two conditions:

One: GM regains approx. 5-8% market share.
or
Two: They drop another brand and replace it with Pontiac.

Chevy, GMC, Buick/Pontiac?

[a_Username]

I hated to see Pontiac go down because of them redoing the Firebird... but oh well.

[2010 SSRS]

I would love to see that new Trans-Am on the streets.

[Vega]

Yeah, i was kinda leaning towards putting another brand on the chopping block, i mean GM really burned Pontiac to the ground when they started re-badging Chevy's as Pontiacs, but its the same thing they do with GMC now, and i havent heard so much as a peep out of Buick since the dawn of time so i'd vote to toss Buick or GMC for Pontiac

Then it would have to be done right. Ressurect the GTO and Trans Am but definatly dont make the T/A just a re-badged Camaro like it was for a long time, finally make it its own car...an easy, and GREAT way to do this would be to have Pontiac start developing performance engines again
Chevy can focus on economy and keeping with the green and all and Pontiac can focus on the power aspect, that way we dont need to worry about an unfavorable compromise when buying our cars

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Vega

Yeah, i was kinda leaning towards putting another brand on the chopping block, i mean GM really burned Pontiac to the ground when they started re-badging Chevy's as Pontiacs, but its the same thing they do with GMC now, and i havent heard so much as a peep out of Buick since the dawn of time so i'd vote to toss Buick or GMC for Pontiac.

Buick is a Solid brand-name. Unadulterated, though currently somewhat stale. The things coming down the pipe for the next two-three years will change that, though.

And GMC is GM's second-most profitable brand.....

And you can't chop Chevy or Caddy.

See where I was coming from?

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Vega

Yeah, i was kinda leaning towards putting another brand on the chopping block, i mean GM really burned Pontiac to the ground when they started re-badging Chevy's as Pontiacs, but its the same thing they do with GMC now, and i havent heard so much as a peep out of Buick since the dawn of time so i'd vote to toss Buick or GMC for Pontiac

Seen the 2010 Buick LaCrosse? And all the other vehicles in the Buick future product pipeline?

And as much as GMC is made up of rebadged Chevys, they're GM's biggest profit-maker.

Not to mention both brands have an overseas market...Pontiac was NA only.

[a_Username]

You have to keep Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac IMO. Those are all iconic GM brands... but the others are really a toss-up IMO. I'd go with whatever had the best sales and the best proposed future sales as the 4th.

[Vega]

Hm, true
In the end i have to shake my fist at Bob Lutz for not seeing the gold mine he's standing on, if the Camaro alone can make such an impact that it pulls GM this far out of the fire then imagine a whole brand of Camaro-based ideals 0_0 haha, Lancelot rides in to save the day LOL

Also Pontiac would be the perfect platform to start pushing E85, since its notoriously a more performance-oriented fuel (from higher octanes) Pontiac could pounce on that big time, and instead of having a few E85 cars peppered here and there you could actually have a brand dedicated to the transition (of course they'd be hybrid at least at first for both E85 and gasoline)...that would solve everyone's trouble, the American Economy becomes less dependant on foreign resources like it wants, GM gets to uphold its promise for greener futures like they want, and we get to keep our power-house American toys like we want!

[1bad65]

Buicks are the biggest selling brand in China. And China is the world's most populated country. That's why GM isn't going to drop Buick.

[All-Or-Nothing]

Originally Posted by Vega

Hm, true
In the end i have to shake my fist at Bob Lutz for not seeing the gold mine he's standing on, if the Camaro alone can make such an impact that it pulls GM this far out of the fire then imagine a whole brand of Camaro-based ideals 0_0 haha, Lancelot rides in to save the day LOL

Also Pontiac would be the perfect platform to start pushing E85, since its notoriously a more performance-oriented fuel (from higher octanes) Pontiac could pounce on that big time, and instead of having a few E85 cars peppered here and there you could actually have a brand dedicated to the transition (of course they'd be hybrid at least at first for both E85 and gasoline)...that would solve everyone's trouble, the American Economy becomes less dependant on foreign resources like it wants, GM gets to uphold its promise for greener futures like they want, and we get to keep our power-house American toys like we want!

Pontiac was a cash cow. Sales were horrible. Even the G8 wasn't a good seller. Bringing Pontiac would only cause GM to lose money again. Pontiac is dead for a good reason.