Docherty: Pontiac decision may have to wait until next year

As General Motors prepares for its June 1 bankruptcy-or-viability deadline, the decision on what to do with Pontiac is sitting on the back burner. In fact, dealers may have to wait until next year to find out what the General has in store. Or so says Susan Docherty, vice president of GM's Buick-Pontiac-GMC group. "The Pontiac decision is pretty low on the priority list for right now," Docherty told Automotive News. "The decision we make for Pontiac is not going to be the savior for GM." Previous talk of focusing the brand on cars and even on Pontiac's 'driving excitement' performance background sprang out of GM's viability plan, submitted to Congress last December. One word in particular - 'niche' - drove a lot of the talk, and has led to rampant speculation that Pontiac might go RWD-only or other such drastic measures. "I think if we had to write the viability plan over again, that word would have been on the delete button," said Docherty. Nevertheless, Docherty announced last month that the decision to end the Pontiac Torrent SUV was part of a larger decision to focus Pontiac on its cars. That focus might not be a bad idea, considering the Torrent's sales were dismal at best - down over 50% in February - while the G8 has seen record numbers despite the downturn, rising 27% on its previous monthly best in February.Pontiac G8

by Michael D #1, Posted: 4/13/2009

I'm re-posting this from something I wrote on another blog-site:

At the New York Auto Show/NYIAS, at the Pontiac stand, the only vehicle that was getting lots of attention was the G8, and the Solstice got it's share - a section where there was a row of G5s and a G3 was empty and ignored, and this was on opening day! To be honest Pontiac doesn't need the G5 & G3 at all, and these models would not be missed if cut tomorrow. The G6 could stay until it's lifecycle ends, it's an outgoing Epsilon-1.

Saab didn't get the greatest floor traffic, either, for there's nothing new on the Saab front for now. But, when the new 9-5 is released, and when the production 9-4 finally materializes, things will changes - like I said a few times before, Saab needs these cars now!!

The nearby Hummer stand was still getting plenty of attention, and I'm sure soon it will be announced who the interested parties are bidding to purchase, and we'll sit tight to see who wins.
by NaBUru38 #2, Posted: 4/15/2009

There should be a rear-wheel drive G6, to be sold in Australia as the Holden Torana, with four to six-cylinder engines and a length of 4,70-4,90 meters.