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5 Jun 2009, 00:33 (Ref:2475678) | #1 | |
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End of Pontiac :(
Another casualty of the economic crisis, but I wonder if the brand could get reintroduced later on if GM recovers? With Chevy, Cadillac and Buick alone they are limited marketing wise.
Pontiac 1926-2009 |
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7 Jun 2009, 06:55 (Ref:2476779) | #2 | ||
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A shame but surely it doesn't have to be the end of the brand, I don't see they need to have 5 different brands all with full lines of vehicles, they could be more like the Audi model with different brands focused on different market sectors. Then again this is the company (GM) that made 4 or was it 5 different 350ci V8's...
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19 Jun 2009, 04:47 (Ref:2486342) | #3 | ||
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GM HAD to cut back to stay afloat. Too many of their US models (especially Pontiacs, Buicks, and Oldsmobiles) were merely badge-engineered Chevrolets. For instance, the Bonneville in the advertisment above was a badge-engineered Chevrolet Caprice. You can't have 4 or 5 of the same model under different nameplates competing for sales with each other and remain economically viable in the current financial market. I'm surprised that they got away with it for as long as they did.
Actually, I think it's Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC (truck-only division) that are surviving. Isn't Buick going by the wayside also? I know Oldsmobile is already dead, and Saturn is on the way out (possibly to be picked up by Penske). |
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11 Jul 2009, 00:32 (Ref:2499242) | #4 | |
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I would say that a Skoda Superb is a rebadged Audi A6, badge engineering is alive and well in the 21st century. I can't understand why they didn't kill Buick instead, because they already have Cadillac for luxury (which is better known as a brand globally) and the end of Pontiac means they can't bring back the GTO, which is one of the best known nameplates of all time.
I had a nightmare of Obama and Pelosi riding a Fiat 500 on the Whitehouse lawn, planning to rename the country France. It could happen. |
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11 Jul 2009, 02:12 (Ref:2499262) | #5 | |||
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V8Supercars - Race cars using road car headlights, for decades ;) 'You holden VT drivers better look out, because the Ford AU is coming to get you' Glenn Seton - 1999 (The original egg on face disclaimer) :roflmao: |
15 Jul 2009, 20:57 (Ref:2502473) | #6 | ||||
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28 Jul 2009, 11:25 (Ref:2509854) | #7 | ||
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To be honest I have always been amazed that the likes of GM Ford and Dodge have always had more than one arm in the US.
IN the UK Leyland tried this approach and found it impossible to maintian, due largely to some appalling decision making and strike action admittedly. Having so many different brands under one huge arm must be insane with regard to logistics and money. Am amazed it has lasted like this for so long co0z no otehr manufacturers really do it this way. OK VW own firms but they bought a brand not marketed their brand with a different name |
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28 Jul 2009, 16:00 (Ref:2510040) | #8 | ||
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Here in the USA, GM once owned 50% of the market. So there was a need for multiple brands catering to different incomes and tastes. Now with their huge decline in percentage of the market, a lot of those brands are not needed anymore. |
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Wolverines! |
28 Jul 2009, 21:20 (Ref:2510228) | #9 | ||
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Yes I am aware of that, what I meant was not so much NLexus and Acura more the many different brands of GM
Am I right in thinking at one time they had Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac and Cadillac? Oldsmobile? Aswell as Vauxhall and Opel, Holden in Oz. Within Leyland at any one time there was Morris, Austin, MG, Triumph, Jaguar, Daimler, Rover and maybe more!! All making similar cars to subtely different markets I can understand Lexus trying to rebrand, but Honda just rebadged everything in the US that was sold as Honda elsewhere! People arent stupid. Lexus at least make different cars to Toyota as much as they can And I am presuming Infiniti are doing the same for Nissan? A maker with so many different brands that in these times simply dont appeal to the punter has to lose a few arms!! |
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25 Aug 2009, 23:56 (Ref:2528250) | #10 | |
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26 Aug 2009, 01:00 (Ref:2528276) | #11 | ||
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There will soon be a limited edition Commodore SSV ( the top-range 'sporty' model) released featuring some 'spare' Pontiac G8 parts.
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5 Sep 2009, 19:19 (Ref:2535036) | #12 | ||
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Reading up on GM's "hybrid" and "flex-fuel" options - their "AFV" range (alternative fuel vehicles), there is a Pontiac on the list.
IIRC, they said they will badge some hotter models Pontiac's, without having to run different factories and lines. |
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There is no substitute for cubic inches. Harry Belamonte - 403ci Vauxhall Belmont!! A 700hp wayward shopping trolley on steroids!! |
14 Sep 2009, 18:47 (Ref:2540676) | #13 | ||
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so whats happening to the Pontiac acing programme?
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Andretti, Mario: Auto racing legend owns the rights to an unspecified Spinal Tap song, which he purchased when former manager Ian Faith secretly sold the band’s catalog |
19 Sep 2009, 04:32 (Ref:2543701) | #14 | ||
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15 Oct 2009, 00:01 (Ref:2561636) | #15 | |
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15 Oct 2009, 00:26 (Ref:2561645) | #16 | ||
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It's hard to follow the GREATEST MOVIE EVER MADE.
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15 Oct 2009, 09:11 (Ref:2561789) | #17 | ||
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Carefull Matt I've just bought the Trilogy boxset and dont want the plot spoiled for STBP3. Thanks
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Andretti, Mario: Auto racing legend owns the rights to an unspecified Spinal Tap song, which he purchased when former manager Ian Faith secretly sold the band’s catalog |
15 Oct 2009, 15:46 (Ref:2562035) | #18 | ||
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21 Oct 2009, 07:43 (Ref:2566003) | #19 | ||
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28 Nov 2009, 00:43 (Ref:2590520) | #20 | ||
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On the plus side the movie does contain Colleen Camp. |
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