Houston Cars

Pontiac is GM’s “Excitement Division”, at least by their standards.  The problem is that very few of their models are particularly exciting.  With the announcement by GM that there will be no new Firebird or Trans Am, the prospects get even worse. Today I’ll be going through their lineup of 7 cars and ruthlessly deciding what should stay and what should go, as I create the Ultimate Pontiac Lineup.  For fun today, I’ve decided to add a little surprise to the mix, and include something that isn’t currently in production at Pontiac.

The ones that made it:

G6 - The G6 is available as a coupe, sedan, or convertible - it covers three important segments.  It’s a pretty attractive looking car, at least when measured against the other vehicles in its’ class.  The body lines are handsome and modern, and Pontiac did a pretty fine job on the exterior.  Inside is where they failed, as the G6 has a pretty low end interior that badly needs a makeover.  It falls far short of it’s competitors here.  GM - get to work and give the G6 a new interior, and you have a fine competitor.

G8 - The G8 isn’t on the market yet, but it deserves a place in the lineup.  With the available 361 HP 6.0 liter V8 and standard RWD, this is one vehicle that screams excitement.  The design is solid, though it could do without the traditional Pontiac grille.  Also, the name is horrible.  G8 sounds like a business summit, not a muscle car.

Solstice - Bravo, Pontiac.  Small, RWD, sporty, fun to drive, and good looking.  Oh, and price right.  That’s what makes a good sports car for the masses.  The only real flaw with the Solstice is that it looks downright ugly next to it’s twin, the gorgeous Saturn Sky.  It looks great next to anything else though, which is ok by me.

Firebird / Trans Am - Chevy gets  the Camaro, which is smart because it has powerful brand loyalty.  But what is the Camaro without it’s twin, the Firebird?  And what is Pontiac without a V8 powered firebreathing coupe?  GM cited cost concerns ( $200 million to bring it to market ), but that’s absurd.   The interior, platform, and engine choices would be identical to the Camaro - only the sheetmetal need be reworked.  I simply don’t believe the cost of an exterior design is two hundred million dollars.  Pontiac needs this car to be relevant.

Misc. Sport Compact - Perhaps built on the Cobalt ( shudder ) platform, Pontiac needs a sporty, fast, compact car.  Something along the lines of a WRX perhaps - AWD, turbo 4 power in the low-mid 200 HP range.  Fuel mileage would be reasonable due to the small engine, and if done properly people would eat it up. 

The ones that didn’t make it

G5 - It’s a Cobalt.  No one likes the Cobalt, why would they like a Pontiac Cobalt?  There is no excitement here folks, and Pontiac does not need this car.

Grand Prix - I thought Pontiac had killed this horrid vehicle already, but I guess not.  What purpose does it serve with the G6 being better in every single category?  Not even a 300 HP V8 was able to save this car.  Repeat after me Pontiac - 300 HP V8’s don’t go with FWD.  Ever.  Ridiculous wheelspin and torque steer do not equal excitement.

Torrent - What is exciting about a Chevy Equinox clone?  NOTHING.  That’s what.  Pontiac doesn’t need an SUV, unless it fits in with the brand.  And the Torrent does not, so it goes bye bye.

   Vibe - The Vibe should have been a Chevy all along.  It is not exciting in any way, shape, or form.  A rebadged Toyota Matrix does not inspire any sort of emotion other than boredom.  Not that it’s a bad car, just that it shouldn’t be a Pontiac.

Final Words

GM is consolidating GMC, Pontiac, and Buick so that all three brands are at one dealership.  There’s no longer any need for Pontiac to try to be everything to every customer.  Pontiac needs a laser focus on the performance market, and can any models that don’t fit in.  Without a focus, Pontiac will simply continue to flounder and lose sales to other brands.  Pontiac has a chance to live, and even thrive, but they have to make changes quickly and decisively.