| General Motors will 'Shut Down' the 'excitement | | | | After producing the now famous Pontiac Temptest |
| division' - Pontiac - by the end of 2010. Their decision to | | | | LeMans GTO in 1964, Pontiac secured its place as the |
| cut the long time muscle car brand was among | | | | first true 'muscle car'. |
| several aggressive steps listed in a recently updated | | | | "There was a time, a long way back now, when you |
| survival plan to the federal government. This leaves | | | | knew exactly what Pontiac stood for," said Kevin |
| GM with four core brands to place their focus: | | | | Smith, editorial director for the automotive Web site |
| Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. Have we | | | | Recent efforts from vice chairman Bob Lutz tried to |
| regressed to the beginning of the 20th century? | | | | revive Pontiac's image. His plans called for Pontiac to |
| The fate of Saturn, Saab, and Hummer are still to be | | | | produce mainly rear-drive 'modernized' muscle cars - |
| decided. At this time it appears they will either be sold | | | | such as the 2004 GTO or the rwd G8 sedan. This |
| or also shut down. | | | | would have given them a unique selling point over |
| Interestingly enough, the problem for Pontiac was not | | | | other front wheel drive American cars, in addition to |
| sales, according to GM CEO Fritz Henderson. Instead, | | | | competing with RWD performance brands like BMW. |
| it was their long running addiction - profits. Indeed, | | | | Unfortunately Pontiac's revival was not to be. Their |
| Pontiac was the company's third best selling brand, | | | | most popular car remains the G6, followed by the |
| lead by Chevy and GMC. Pontiac sold twice as many | | | | Vibe. The australian based GTO and G8 had only |
| as Buick which is currently set to survive the federal | | | | dismal sales. Bob's plans were further crushed when |
| shakeup. | | | | gas prices soared and the EPA further tightened their |
| Back to the 1950's | | | | grip on consumer transportation with tougher fuel |
| Pontiac's identity as a 'muscle car' brand goes back to | | | | economy regulations. So Pontiac returned to selling |
| the lat 1950's and early 1960's. These cars were | | | | rebadged Chevrolet counterparts by offering the G3. |
| originally designed with wider bodies and pushed out | | | | Pontiac's lack of providing true value as a brand may |
| wheels. This 'wide track' design made the cars look | | | | finally have brought its demise, said Smith. "That's just |
| agile and aggressive - and remained with the brand up | | | | death in a marketplace where there's so much |
| until modern times. | | | | competition and so much quality," he said. |