Essen 2009: Focus RS360 From Wolf Racing
Report: Pontiac has killed the G8 ST

Report: Pontiac has killed the G8 ST

Ralph Hanson January 6th, 2009 Ralph Hanson By Ralph Hanson Author January 6th, 2009
  • Articles Contributed: 1801
  • Comments Posted: 0
  • Leaderboard Rank: N/A

December 31st, 1969 For many car companies, finding a clear and coherent brand identity isn't as easy as it might seem. Case in point: Pontiac. The rip-snorting G8 hasn't been the success it might have been if fuel prices and economic woes hadn't struck as it made its debut, and now the G8 ST, or sport truck, won't even see the light of day according to the latest reports. According to information from 'industry sources', enthusiast site PickupTrucks is reporting that the 2010 G8 ST won't see production. The sources indicate the decision comes as part of a redefinition of Pontiac's image and a simple cost-cutting measure - reducing Pontiac's line from six vehicles to three or less by 2012. Dubbed by many as the return of the El Camino, the cargo-carrying two-door car/truck combo has been quite successful in its home market of Australia, where it does duty as a work-day vehicle in addition to its sporting role. In the U.S., however, Pontiac's brand image - and public perception of such vehicles - doesn't really allow for the utilitarian angle. And selling on its sporting potential alone is increasingly out of sync with Pontiac's thrifty-yet-cool brand image borne by products like the G3, G5 and G6.2010 Pontiac G8 ST
2010 pontiac g8 st002

2010 pontiac g8 st002

Enlarge Photo

For many car companies, finding a clear and coherent brand identity isn't as easy as it might seem. Case in point: Pontiac. The rip-snorting G8 hasn't been the success it might have been if fuel prices and economic woes hadn't struck as it made its debut, and now the G8 ST, or sport truck, won't even see the light of day according to the latest reports.

According to information from 'industry sources', enthusiast site PickupTrucks is reporting that the 2010 G8 ST won't see production. The sources indicate the decision comes as part of a redefinition of Pontiac's image and a simple cost-cutting measure - reducing Pontiac's line from six vehicles to three or less by 2012.

Dubbed by many as the return of the El Camino, the cargo-carrying two-door car/truck combo has been quite successful in its home market of Australia, where it does duty as a work-day vehicle in addition to its sporting role. In the U.S., however, Pontiac's brand image - and public perception of such vehicles - doesn't really allow for the utilitarian angle. And selling on its sporting potential alone is increasingly out of sync with Pontiac's thrifty-yet-cool brand image borne by products like the G3, G5 and G6.
2010 Pontiac G8 ST
Gallery
  • 2010 pontiac g8 st007
  • 2010 pontiac g8 st006
  • 2010 pontiac g8 st005
  • 2010 pontiac g8 st004
  • 2010 pontiac g8 st003
  • 2010 pontiac g8 st002
  • 2010 pontiac g8 st001
  • 2010 pontiac g8 st008

Tags: Sport, Australia

Posted in: Pontiac, News, G8, G8 ST, STS


Comments (9 total)

Meet the top commenters on the Leaderboard

  1. ma_Michael D avatar by Michael D #1, Posted: 1/6/2009

    Even if it is official if the G8 ST is killed, at least we have the G8 sedan and the top-end performance G8 GXP, that's good enough for me, even though the G8 ST would have been a nice addition.

    I'd be more bummed out of the G8 GXP was killed instead of the G8 ST, to be honest.

  2. ma_CarFanaticsUnleashed avatar by CarFanaticsUnleashed #2, Posted: 1/6/2009

    No loss, sorry to say. That mule was never meant to torment the eyes of small children...

  3. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #3, Posted: 1/6/2009

    CarFanaticsUnleashed, it was actually a pretty good looking vehicle. Oh well, hopefully means we can get the wagon version now.

  4. ma_justinhk2000 avatar by justinhk2000 #4, Posted: 1/6/2009

    My friend owns an BMW M5 and was planning to buy this to use as his everyday car, but now his dreams are shattered. Too bad...

  5. ma_Mike avatar by Mike #5, Posted: 1/6/2009

    The G8 has to be the finest budget sport sedan on the market. The first mistake GM made was the decision to badge it as a Pontiac, the second was the name, it should have always been El Camino. The third was not their fault, but the rise in gas prices and the accompanying economic downturn doomed it from the start. On a separate note, it seems GM is doing to Pontiac what it did to Olds, cutting its model lineup to a couple models and letting it stagnate until nobody cares if they get rid of the brand. So depressing, just when Pontiac actually gets exciting cars again.

  6. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #6, Posted: 1/6/2009

    With gas prices being down, wouldn't it be ok to bring this out? How about bring it with a diesel.

  7. ma_HECTOR avatar by HECTOR #7, Posted: 1/6/2009

    The G8 is a very good looking sedan.

    But leave it to GM to take one step in the right direction and another one in the wrong one. This glorified El Camino would have been poison to G8 sales. The fact that it was even considered tells you how many people need to be fired from that company (I'm looking at you Bob Lutz).

  8. ma_azlan avatar by azlan #8, Posted: 1/6/2009

    this looks alot better as a holden that pontiac grill is grose... but anyway over in australia this car is for the tradesmen that want a utility but want something that looks cool and is pretty fast, petrol prices has never burdened the sales very much on these because the car is so cheap for how much you get.

  9. ma_NaBUru38 avatar by NaBUru38 #9, Posted: 1/7/2009

    I'm sure that any American tuner company will convert G8 sedans to pickups. Give them a few months.

    "it seems GM is doing to Pontiac what it did to Olds, cutting its model lineup to a couple models and letting it stagnate until nobody cares if they get rid of the brand"

    That could be said about almost every other General Motors brand, Mike.

Post a Comment

Post anonymously
Sign In |
will stay private
your 'posted by' name will link to the URL

More from MotorAuthority

More from High Gear Media