Pontiac coming back?

[olrocker]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

Fun fact. I used to sit along the wall behind him (and my boss) in one of the forums where these discussions were taking place. Always liked to hear Bob’s perspective on things.

The man should have been made CEO of GM 25 years ago. When Wagoner was elected.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by olrocker

The man should have been made CEO of GM 25 years ago. When Wagoner was elected.

Bob’s a phenomenal product guy. Can’t think of anyone better. Not certain I can say the same for his business leadership skills. A CEO needs to be strong in both areas. Of course he could and probably would have surrounded himself with a team that covered whatever weakness he may have had in that area. Rick was pretty much the opposite flavor. He did surround himself with product experts. Thing is he didn’t always listen to them <cough> SSR <cough>

[BluePhoenix]

Why does everyone harken to the 77 Trans Am "Bandit" car? Iconic yes, but no one uses the great looks of the 98 to 02 Trans Am WS6 with the aggressive Ram Air hood.

[olrocker]

Originally Posted by BluePhoenix

Why does everyone harken to the 77 Trans Am "Bandit" car? Iconic yes, but no one uses the great looks of the 98 to 02 Trans Am WS6 with the aggressive Ram Air hood.

I think the Bandit era 2nd Gen Firebirds are more recognizable among a broader audience. Us enthusiasts know how awesome the 4th Gen WS6 RamAir was but you can pretty much find any American who will recognize the 2nd Gen Screamin Chicken.

Don’t forget, Smokey was the #2 box office smash of 1977 right behind Star Wars. The Firebird/TA greatest sales years were the years following the movie. They couldn’t build 1977-79 models fast enough.

Thats a big 10-4 good buddy

[Evergreen6]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

Learning my lesson from the Solstice experience, I bought it and begged forgiveness. That’s why you guys have to put up with me today.

To quote another automotive great, "We're glad to have you with us!"

[GreenZLE]

Ejecto seato on the EV's and start building vehicles based upon emission standards from 25 years ago. The environment would be fine and maybe American car companies would be able to build things the American public would like again.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by rbuzz00

I found an interesting advertisement on the inside of the rear cover of my May/June issue of Car and Driver that brings up more questions than it does answers. The headline is "Make Some Noise...Pontiac Is Back".

It starts off by mentioning that it's been 15 years since Pontiac left and says "America needs us. The future needs us. So Pontiac is back."

It then goes on to say they will first come out with a hybrid system using a battery and electric motor to start a 667-hp-supercharged 372-cubic-inch V-8.

It goes on to say that Pontiac is here to offer a future filled with V-8s, great sounds, gold pinstripe, and window louvers. A V-8 and great sounds sounds great, but I'm not so sure about gold pinstripes and window louvers. Well, maybe to real Pontiac fanatics. It's hard to follow the hidden meaning of all that, but that last part seems to insinuate that something like a Trans Am may be coming.

Nowhere on the ad is there any GM emblem, or the mention of GM, and there is a weird little disclaimer at the bottom of the ad: "Do you need to be told that this advertisement is fake and not to be taken seriously? Our lawyers think you do."

So is Pontiac coming back, or is this just a fake advertisement meant to gauge the interest of GM possible bringing back the iconic Pontiac brand? Or could it be something from one of the manufacturers of clones of various Pontiac models? Like I said, it brings up more questions than it supplies answers.

Surely GM wouldn't be foolish enough to cancel the Camaro only to bring back Pontiac, which would mean that the Trans Am would eventually return.
Performance cars are losing to SUVs as far as sales go, so why would GM reinvent a performance oriented division? What about the switch to EVs? And what could Pontiac bring out that already isn't available with the Chevy brand? Like I said, lots of questions but no answers.

So what do you think? Is this ad just checking for interest in the return of Pontiac, or is it fake, or what?

Bringing us back on topic. Especially since I played more than a minor part in spinning us way off topic. What would be the business reason for bringing Pontiac back?

• High demand for moderately priced performance vehicles? Nope. Camaro, Challenger, Charger and 300 are gone. Mustang is still standing but sales have dropped year over year despite having no competition. There is simply not enough demand for performance vehicles to revive an entire brand and support all the expense involved in that.
• A brand to keep the sedan alive? Nope. Malibu just got dropped. Sedans in general are losing volume to compact and mid-size crossover utilities.

There is not a logical business reason to revive Pontiac. Especially if whatever comes out of a Pontiac brand only serves to “borrow” sales from Chevrolet.

[102SS]

Yeah but they could combine Pontiac and Hummer to build this

[Martinjlm]

102SS is officially declared the winner of this thread!

[olrocker]

Originally Posted by 102SS

Yeah but they could combine Pontiac and Hummer to build this

The Hummer G8….. by Pontiac

[102SS]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

102SS is officially declared the winner of this thread!

Thanks but I can't take the credit for this awesomeness.

I borrowed it from a thread on the Pontiac G8 forum

A member named Green Martian deserves the credit

The words were mine though

https://www.g8board.com/threads/make...90488/#replies

I post as 102SSRS(my licence plate) over there someone already had that name when I registered here

[Evergreen6]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

Bringing us back on topic. Especially since I played more than a minor part in spinning us way off topic. What would be the business reason for bringing Pontiac back?

• High demand for moderately priced performance vehicles? Nope. Camaro, Challenger, Charger and 300 are gone. Mustang is still standing but sales have dropped year over year despite having no competition. There is simply not enough demand for performance vehicles to revive an entire brand and support all the expense involved in that.
• A brand to keep the sedan alive? Nope. Malibu just got dropped. Sedans in general are losing volume to compact and mid-size crossover utilities.

There is not a logical business reason to revive Pontiac. Especially if whatever comes out of a Pontiac brand only serves to “borrow” sales from Chevrolet.

To that point, GM no longer has an excitement division. The $60k Base Corvette that never happened was always priced too high for today's hopeful middle class anyway. Camaro is gone. Anything affordable has a wheezy little 4-cylinder and the coolest it's ever going to get is a RS/RST badge, and that's still pretty nerdy these days.

Would it kill GM to bring back a $30k vehicle with a V8, a vehicle inspired by the Ripsaw, with packages to make angry plebs feel cool again?
An actually secure console lockbox for a firearm.
An optional mount for a holster on the center console?
A keyed door and ignition?
An HVAC vent aimed at the crotch?
Some kind of removable roof panel.
More firearm storage in the rear cargo/trunk area.
Pre-wired for GMRS radio, with a spot for it.
Optional sound system with a large sub under each seat, and an overhead sound bar that can be upgraded with aftermarket speaker sizes.

Colors could be matte olive-drab, sand-tan, black, or stainless-look. I'm sure folks would spring for a digital camo option in green, gray, or blue, too.

Make putting a front license plate on it impossible so people feel like they're subverting the law.

There's this whole market out there for guys who need to look and feel tough and like they're non-conforming, and GM really doesn't touch on that. Probably because there's actually no money there, but still..y'all could try!

It would be a good boost for Ms. Barra too...call it her idea. Instead of being framed as she currently is, maybe she could take on more of a sugar-momma in charge, image. Guys secretly like that too.

[GreenZLE]

Originally Posted by Evergreen6

To that point, GM no longer has an excitement division. The $60k Base Corvette that never happened was always priced too high for today's hopeful middle class anyway. Camaro is gone. Anything affordable has a wheezy little 4-cylinder and the coolest it's ever going to get is a RS/RST badge, and that's still pretty nerdy these days.

Would it kill GM to bring back a $30k vehicle with a V8, a vehicle inspired by the Ripsaw, with packages to make angry plebs feel cool again?
An actually secure console lockbox for a firearm.
An optional mount for a holster on the center console?
A keyed door and ignition?
An HVAC vent aimed at the crotch?
Some kind of removable roof panel.
More firearm storage in the rear cargo/trunk area.
Pre-wired for GMRS radio, with a spot for it.
Optional sound system with a large sub under each seat, and an overhead sound bar that can be upgraded with aftermarket speaker sizes.

Colors could be matte olive-drab, sand-tan, black, or stainless-look. I'm sure folks would spring for a digital camo option in green, gray, or blue, too.

Make putting a front license plate on it impossible so people feel like they're subverting the law.

There's this whole market out there for guys who need to look and feel tough and like they're non-conforming, and GM really doesn't touch on that. Probably because there's actually no money there, but still..y'all could try!

It would be a good boost for Ms. Barra too...call it her idea. Instead of being framed as she currently is, maybe she could take on more of a sugar-momma in charge, image. Guys secretly like that too.

LOL!

I have to say though, not having a lock on the glovebox is one of the dumbest things GM has ever done. I dont get it.

IMO, Pontiac catered to people with a bigger build. Seats in Chevy's were made for skinny people, Pontiac's had wide/flatter seats for fat people.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by Evergreen6

To that point, GM no longer has an excitement division. The $60k Base Corvette that never happened was always priced too high for today's hopeful middle class anyway. Camaro is gone. Anything affordable has a wheezy little 4-cylinder and the coolest it's ever going to get is a RS/RST badge, and that's still pretty nerdy these days.

Would it kill GM to bring back a $30k vehicle with a V8, a vehicle inspired by the Ripsaw, with packages to make angry plebs feel cool again?
An actually secure console lockbox for a firearm.
An optional mount for a holster on the center console?
A keyed door and ignition?
An HVAC vent aimed at the crotch?
Some kind of removable roof panel.
More firearm storage in the rear cargo/trunk area.
Pre-wired for GMRS radio, with a spot for it.
Optional sound system with a large sub under each seat, and an overhead sound bar that can be upgraded with aftermarket speaker sizes.

Colors could be matte olive-drab, sand-tan, black, or stainless-look. I'm sure folks would spring for a digital camo option in green, gray, or blue, too.

Make putting a front license plate on it impossible so people feel like they're subverting the law.

There's this whole market out there for guys who need to look and feel tough and like they're non-conforming, and GM really doesn't touch on that. Probably because there's actually no money there, but still..y'all could try!

It would be a good boost for Ms. Barra too...call it her idea. Instead of being framed as she currently is, maybe she could take on more of a sugar-momma in charge, image. Guys secretly like that too.

I see that someone intends to challenge 102SS’s King o’ the Thread title.