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Motor Authority - blog Category: Pontiac

  • Last Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roll off the line

    Last Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roll off the line July 29th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, July 29th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 5 Comments

    Last Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roll off the line General Motors’ announcement back in April that the Pontiac brand would be phased out by the end of the year and Saturn sold off, many of the automaker’s top models were immediately given a death sentence. Some of the cars that will be missed the most include hot items like the Saturn Sky, Pontiac G8 and of course, the Solstice Coupe and Roadster.

    One of the first of many reports to come, Delaware’s The News Journal reports that production at GM’s 62-year old Boxwood Road assembly plant ceased on Tuesday. The facility will close or idle 14 plants in the next three years, and claim tens of thousands of jobs.

    ... General Motors’ announcement back in April that the Pontiac brand would be phased out by the end of the year and Saturn sold off, many of the automaker’s top models were immediately given a death sentence. Some of the cars that will be missed the most include hot items like the Saturn Sky, Pontiac G8 and of course, the Solstice Coupe and Roadster. One of the first of many reports to come, Delaware’s The News Journal reports that production at GM’s 62-year old Boxwood Road assembly plant ceased on Tuesday. The facility will close or idle 14 plants in the next three years, and claim tens of thousands of jobs. Workers at the Boxwood Road built the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky models. Sadly, the workers only found out the plant would be closed at the start of June, when GM filed for bankruptcy. “It was so quick, you know?” plant veteran James Graves told reporters. “That’s what hurt everybody.” GM spokesman John Raut confirmed that the last model, a silver Solstice, rolled off the line Tuesday morning. The Pontiac Solstice (and its Saturn Sky sibling) caused quite a stir when it was launched in 2005, even winning the North American Car of the Year award back at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006. One of the car’s flaws was its expensive Kappa platform, which meant GM made very little money from each model sold. There were plans to launch a second-generation version on a cheaper ‘Kappa II’ platform but with the demise of Pontiac and Saturn those plans have been shelved.2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe Read More

  • Bob Lutz kills rumors of Pontiac G8 becoming Chevy Caprice

    Bob Lutz kills rumors of Pontiac G8 becoming Chevy Caprice July 16th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, July 16th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 41 Comments

    Bob Lutz kills rumors of Pontiac G8 becoming Chevy Caprice Pontiac may be dead in the water but some enthusiasts - and until today, Bob Lutz among them - have been clamoring for at least one of the brand’s cars to be rebadged and sold under another GM brand - the Australian-built Pontiac G8. Designed and constructed by GM's Holden subsidiary Down Under, the G8 had been pegged for re-branding as a Chevrolet Caprice. Today, however, Bob Lutz made it clear that no such plans are in the works.

    GM CEO Fritz Henderson has previously answered with a resounding "no" when talking about a future for the Pontiac G8 GXP, but today's news sounds the death knell for the more rational G8 and G8 GT as well.... Pontiac may be dead in the water but some enthusiasts - and until today, Bob Lutz among them - have been clamoring for at least one of the brand’s cars to be rebadged and sold under another GM brand - the Australian-built Pontiac G8. Designed and constructed by GM's Holden subsidiary Down Under, the G8 had been pegged for re-branding as a Chevrolet Caprice. Today, however, Bob Lutz made it clear that no such plans are in the works. GM CEO Fritz Henderson has previously answered with a resounding "no" when talking about a future for the Pontiac G8 GXP, but today's news sounds the death knell for the more rational G8 and G8 GT as well. On the GM Fastlane Blog, Lutz wrote, "The G8 will not be a Caprice after all. I’d mentioned it, and said we were studying it, giving it a serious look, because a car like the G8 was just too good to waste. That’s all still true. I have to say that, with my new 'marketing' hat on, upon further review and careful study, we simply cannot make a business case for such a program. Not in today’s market, in this economy, and with fuel regulations what they are and will be." Henderson ostensibly remains committed to retain other aspects of GM's sporting heritage, including previous assurances that the Corvette will remain in the portfolio along with other performance models. The G8-to-Caprice rumor started with Lutz himself. Within hours of announcing his plans to take on a marketing role at GM, Lutz revealed to Automobile Magazine that the Pontiac G8 would find its way into Chevrolet showrooms under the Caprice name. "The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet," Lutz said. "It is kind of too good to waste." Lutz also explained that GM’s U.S. operations still has export agreements with Australia and its Holden subsidiary, and also mentioned that the Pontiac G8 is sold in other markets, such as South Africa and the Middle East, wearing Chevrolet badges. The rumor gained further credence when an 'insider' revealed a supposed plan from within GM. Speaking with Automotive News, the insider claimed that one possible option was to make the G8 a Chevrolet flagship sedan and price it relatively high. The insider also reaffirmed Lutz’s comments that the car would likely be renamed the Caprice, as well as revealing that the 415hp (310kW) G8 GXP might be retained as a sort of a “five-passenger Corvette” type of vehicle as well as a law enforcement vehicle. Instead, the new national fuel economy standards have carried the day, and the G8 will no longer see American shores under any badge. Unfortunately, the model loss may not stop there, as GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson explained that there are “real issues with CAFE and rear-wheel drive.”2009 Pontiac G8 GXPPontiac G8 Read More

  • Hurst announces Pontiac G8 H.O. 'Executive Hot Rod'

    Hurst announces Pontiac G8 H.O. 'Executive Hot Rod' June 30th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, June 30th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 3 Comments

    Hurst announces Pontiac G8 H.O. 'Executive Hot Rod' The Pontiac G8 - and its entire brand - are nearly extinct, but there's time for one last hurrah at Hurst. The historic hot rod company has plans to build 52 special-edition Hurst/Pontiac H.O versions of the G8 as well as a G6 convertible.

    Like the Hurst Challengers released late last year, the H.O. - High Output - G8 is intended to be a modern-day interpretation of George Hurst's 'Executive Hot Rod' concept. Each of the 52 cars will be hand-built and numbered to reflect their limited-edition status. Available colors include white/gold and black/gold two-tone affairs, complemented by Hurst wheels.

    Some of the modifications planned to... The Pontiac G8 - and its entire brand - are nearly extinct, but there's time for one last hurrah at Hurst. The historic hot rod company has plans to build 52 special-edition Hurst/Pontiac H.O versions of the G8 as well as a G6 convertible. Like the Hurst Challengers released late last year, the H.O. - High Output - G8 is intended to be a modern-day interpretation of George Hurst's 'Executive Hot Rod' concept. Each of the 52 cars will be hand-built and numbered to reflect their limited-edition status. Available colors include white/gold and black/gold two-tone affairs, complemented by Hurst wheels. Some of the modifications planned to transform the G8 to H.O. status include the usual slate of Hurst interior and exterior accessories, plus a re-worked suspension and a supercharger for the V8 under the hood. The Hurst G6 convertibles are designed to commemorate Hurst director emeritus Doc Watson's pace cars. They will be used as parade vehicles and special-event cars. "Doc started all of this with George back in 1960 with Hurst Performance Research. His Hurst H.O. Pontiacs have stormed drag strips and main streets across the country for 50 years," said Hurst Chairman, Nate Shelton. "There could not be a better time to honor Doc and the legendary Pontiac marque." The Hurst Pontiacs will be available for ordering starting August 1 at the Hurst Performance website. Read More

  • GM ends 25-year NUMMI partnership with Toyota

    GM ends 25-year NUMMI partnership with Toyota June 30th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, June 30th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    GM ends 25-year NUMMI partnership with Toyota General Motors has confirmed that it will dump its ownership stake in the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) joint venture that it established with Toyota more than 25 years ago. Located in Fremont, California, the NUMMI plant was last responsible for versions of the Toyota Corolla and Tacoma, as well as the Pontiac Vibe.

    But with GM’s decision to discontinue the Pontiac brand, the automaker decided to stop selling the Vibe. There was hope that GM would use the facility to produce another model but it appears that all chances have since been eroded.

    Troy Clarke, GM’s North American chief said in a statement that GM... General Motors has confirmed that it will dump its ownership stake in the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) joint venture that it established with Toyota more than 25 years ago. Located in Fremont, California, the NUMMI plant was last responsible for versions of the Toyota Corolla and Tacoma, as well as the Pontiac Vibe. But with GM’s decision to discontinue the Pontiac brand, the automaker decided to stop selling the Vibe. There was hope that GM would use the facility to produce another model but it appears that all chances have since been eroded. Troy Clarke, GM’s North American chief said in a statement that GM and Toyota could not reach an agreement on a future product “that made sense to all parties.” As a result, NUMMI would be considered part of the “Old GM” and sold off as the company works its way through bankruptcy. Clarke also said there were no future GM vehicles planned for the joint venture at this time. “We have enjoyed a very positive and beneficial partnership with Toyota for the past 25 years, and we remain open to future opportunities of mutual interest,” he said. The NUMMI facility currently employs more than 4,500 UAW workers and 890 salaried personnel. The plant produces about 250,000 cars and 170,000 trucks a year. Read More

  • GM denies any plans to license Toyota's hybrid Synergy Drive system

    GM denies any plans to license Toyota's hybrid Synergy Drive system June 19th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, June 19th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 2 Comments

    GM denies any plans to license Toyota's hybrid Synergy Drive system Earlier this week news broke that General Motors would in fact be discontinuing the Pontiac Vibe, built alongside the Toyota Matrix at the California New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) the two carmakers share. Since then, speculation as to what sort of joint GM-Toyota project might emerge from the void has run wild.

    Earlier reports, originating before the announcement of the Vibe's discontinuation, indicated that Toyota and GM were already in talks about a model to replace the Vibe. No further developments in those discussions have been made public, however.

    Instead, pundits and analysts have turned to guessing games, suggesting... Earlier this week news broke that General Motors would in fact be discontinuing the Pontiac Vibe, built alongside the Toyota Matrix at the California New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) the two carmakers share. Since then, speculation as to what sort of joint GM-Toyota project might emerge from the void has run wild. Earlier reports, originating before the announcement of the Vibe's discontinuation, indicated that Toyota and GM were already in talks about a model to replace the Vibe. No further developments in those discussions have been made public, however. Instead, pundits and analysts have turned to guessing games, suggesting that one possibility could be a licensed hybrid using Toyota's Synergy Drive system found in the Prius. But GM's president of North American operations, Troy Clarke, shut that rumor down in a chat on the company-run GM Fastlane Blog today, reports Edmunds. Clarke said in response to a question about the potential for licensing Toyota's hybrid tech, "We are not in current discussions with Toyota on licensing their synergy drive. I would point out that we are working like crazy on our own hybrid technology." That last reference to GM's own hybrid technology no doubt refers to both the Volt extended-range electric vehicle and the two-mode hybrid powertrain GM may be rolling into the next-gen Buick Enclave. The Buick angle in particular was part of Clarke's discussion. "I will tell you that you will be pleasantly surprised at the product line up we have for the new Buick. It will go places product wise we haven't gone with Buick before," said Clarke. Read More

  • Tax break on new cars extends to all 50 states

    Tax break on new cars extends to all 50 states June 11th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, June 11th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 0 Comments

    Tax break on new cars extends to all 50 states No one at this point doubts the country's, or the world's, economic woes, most especially those within the car industry. So the announcement today that the U.S. Treasury has expanded its offer of a tax break on new car sales to those bought in states without a sales tax comes as a welcome aid.

    Under the original deal, which forms part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, taxpayers who bought a new vehicle this year were entitled to deduct state or local sales or excise taxes paid on the purchase. Now, new sales made in states without a sales tax, such as Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon, can also... No one at this point doubts the country's, or the world's, economic woes, most especially those within the car industry. So the announcement today that the U.S. Treasury has expanded its offer of a tax break on new car sales to those bought in states without a sales tax comes as a welcome aid. Under the original deal, which forms part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, taxpayers who bought a new vehicle this year were entitled to deduct state or local sales or excise taxes paid on the purchase. Now, new sales made in states without a sales tax, such as Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon, can also qualify for the deduction. "This tax deduction not only increases support for the auto industry as it seeks to rebuild, but also puts money back into the pockets of hard-working Americans," deputy treasury secretary Neal Wolin revealed to Automotive News. To be eligible for the tax break, the vehicle must have been bought after February 16, 2009, and before January 1, 2010, and is available regardless of whether taxpayers itemize on their returns. The catch is that taxpayers will only be able to make the claim on their 2009 tax returns filed next year. Furthermore, the deduction is limited to the fees and taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price of a qualified new car, light truck, motor home or motorcycle. Finally, taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is between $125,000 and $135,000 (between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers) miss out. Read More

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