GM Decides to Kill Pontiac Vibe After All, Production Ends August 2009

Only a week after General Motors stated that the Vibe would be the only Pontiac model to be offered for retail sale in the brand's 2010MY portfolio, the automaker announced today its decision to discontinue production of the compact crossover by the end of August 2009. The Vibe is produced alongside its sister model, the Toyota Matrix, at the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI) facility jointly operated by GM and Toyota in Fremont, California.

"While no replacement for Vibe production has been determined, GM and Toyota remain in active discussions regarding potential future production at NUMMI," General Motors said in a statement.

As we speak, the automaker's original plan is to gradually phase out the Pontiac brand by the end of 2010, though we wouldn't be at all surprised if General Motors decides to pull the plug on the historic marque at an earlier point.

Pontiac's 2010MY Roster Limited to the Vibe, G6 Available only for Fleet Buyers

As you all know, the Pontiac era is scheduled to end by late 2010 so it comes to no surprise that the only model offered for retail sale in General Motors' 2010 Product Guide for the United States is the Vibe - most probably because of the fact that it is produced by GM's joint venture with Toyota called NUMMI. The compact crossover continues in the new model year with a few minor upgrades.

These include the replacement of the 'Mystic Blue Metallic' finish with the 'Ignition Orange Metallic' color, a new luggage rack for the AWD models, the availability of a Cargo management package and Sun & Sound package on the base 1.8L while air-conditioning will be standard on all models.

Pontiac will also offer the G6 in its 2010MY portfolio, but the company said that it will be available exclusively for fleet customers only.

GM CEO Says Pontiac G8 GXP Won't Live on as a Chevy or a Cadillac

If you have been eyeing Pontiac's LS3 V8-powered G8 GXP you better hurry up and buy one before the brand closes as the sports sedan won't be offered by any other GM marque. During a web chat on the firm's official blog, GM CEO Fritz Henderson was asked by a online reader whether or not the Pontiac G8 GXP would live on as a rebadged Chevrolet or maybe even as an entry-level Cadillac. Henderson's answer was a clear-cut 'No'. Too bad that no one asked Henderson if that goes for the entire G8 range or only for the GXP.

Via: Jalopnik , Source: GM Blogs

GM Recalling 35,000 Pontiac G8s Over Minor Electronic Glitches

As many as 35,038 2008-2009 model year Pontiac G8 sport sedan owners will be receiving recall notices soon from GM to tackle two separate electronic glitches on their cars. The first problem concerns the brake pedal position switch that could be incorrectly programmed causing the brake lamps to be continually illuminated. General Motors also noticed that some cars may have incorrect values programmed into the tire pressure monitoring system meaning that drivers will not be notified about low tire pressure. GM's dealers will reprogram both the brake position sensor and the tire pressure monitoring system on the affected vehicles free of charge.

Malignant Rumors: Zeta Is Back - Or Is It?

Even though GM's current situation makes it difficult to predict what the future holds for the troubled automaker, Zeta platform rumors have been making the rounds again, and I like what I'm hearing. It turns out GM may want to spread the Zeta love, making use of it in everything from cop cars to Cadillacs. What are the possibilities? Let's cogitate. The G8 (rebadged as a Chevy) police cruisers from down under stand a good chance of making it, as long as Holden pitches the idea right. Not only could they make up for the Impala, the sales would help offset Holden's expected billion (Aussie) dollar annual loss from its expected export of 30,000 G8s to America.

The doorway's already open; Ford's Panther platform is on its way out. With some 60,000 Crown Vics moved yearly as cop cars, this leaves a lot of sales the Zeta sedan could snag. If the cruisers made it, then perhaps the G8 could get another shot, as the new Impala. Don't even start to think LS3 Impala SS, or you'll jinx it.

Then there's the lovely Pontiac ST, a car-based utility vehicle that was trying oh-so-hard to bring back 1983 and whitewash jeans with a vengeance. Sadly, the Pontiac Ute was killed, followed quickly by the brand itself. To make further use of Zeta, people are theorizing that GM could place the ST in the GMC lineup. A car-based GMC truck (Caballero!) would be a fresh vehicle in a stagnant lineup of badge-engineered Chevrolets that's just now starting to get unique options in the form of the 2010 Terrain.

Topping off the range is Cadillac. The DTS/STS replacement with the extended-wheelbase Zeta under it could supply the American luxury brand with a large, RWD car to compete with ze Germans and Japanese. If you factor in Cadillac's ever-improving designs, it's a car for people who want full-size luxury and who also want to buy American. Standard of the World? Not quite, but it would be a fitting (and economically feasible) new model after the latest CTS.

What about the engine lineup? With the Zeta platform, a lot is possible. The required V8's would appear, of course, but what about people who don't want a guzzler? Offer smaller engines like the direct injection V6 and a hybrid option and people will take notice. There's also whisperings of turbocharged 4-cylinders making the rounds. And diesels? That would almost be a necessity for something like the ST, where utility would be a selling point.

The questions I pose are these: What kinds of Zeta-based cars do you think that American consumers want to see (sedans, coupes, utes)? What kinds of power trains are important to you? Ultimately, what would make you buy "big" from GM and its remaining brands?

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel. When not back in Sparkle City, he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. Oh, and if for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

Transformers Update: Holly Autobots, Jazz with Pontiac Solstice uniform revealed!

As reported a few days ago from Carscoop, Autobot character Jazz in the upcoming Transformer Movie will not be based on the classic Martini Porsche 935 Turbo that most of us knew in the 80's, but instead it will wear a Pontiac Solstice "costume". And what better proof of that is a picture from the actual movie set ?

Thanks to Latinoreview which released a series of pictures during a filming in Los Angeles, we get a first look of Jazz in his Solstice uniform -check out that Fast & The Furious rear spoiler, and not only as the set reveals more pictures of Bumblebee (Chevrolet Camaro), Ratchet (rescue vehicle) and Ironhide (Black GMC 4X4 truck). To see more click on this link: LatinoReview - Transformers

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Pontiac G6 GXP Show Car

Pontiac revealed the first official pictures of its G6 GXP concept car that will make its public appearance in the upcoming New York International Auto Show. The styling enhancements give the G6 GXP a dramatic look, with a hint of the Nismo Nissan 350Z when looking at it from a ¾ rear view. Under the hood, the G6 GXP uses a slightly tuned 3,9 liter V6 engine that produces 270 hp. According to Pontiac, if the G6 GXP grabs the public and media attention, it may go in production later this year.

PRESS RELEASE

Seeking to build on the 25% retail sales gain by the G6 so far this year, Pontiac is revealing a new G6 GXP coupe show car at the upcoming New York International Auto Show. Designed to augment the G6’s sleek styling with a more aggressive appearance and stance, the new GXP show car will test both media and public reaction before any final decision on production is made.

“Although the GXP performance series has been very successful in the past, we’ve never attempted to introduce a GXP on our largest volume vehicle and we want to be sure we do it right,” said Dennis Maraone, Pontiac product director. “We believe the package of exterior, interior and performance enhancements we’ve put together on the G6 GXP show car should appeal to 2+2 coupe enthusiasts.”

Highlighting the exterior styling changes is a redesigned front fascia, featuring an integrated lower air dam and an aggressive chrome treatment of Pontiac’s signature twin-port grille, as well as a twin air scoop hood. Around back, the new rear fascia shows off the dual chrome-tipped exhaust and unique “hammerhead” spoiler. Side rocker panels, 19-inch wheels, vented cross-drilled brake rotors, and a 25-mm reduction in suspension height finish off the GXP’s ground-hugging appearance.

Inside, red accents give the GXP a sportier flavor than a standard G6. The red chrome trim on the instrument cluster, center stack and door controls augments the red leather seat and door panel inserts.

Under the hood, the G6 GXP uses a modified 3.9-liter V-6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Linking a ram air induction system with K&N air filter to a cat-back free flowing exhaust helps boost engine output to 270 horsepower (202 kw) and 259 lb.-ft. of torque (358 Nm).

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