Pontiac is a brand of automobiles produced since 1926 and sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico by General Motors (GM), marketed as an "athletic" brand specializing in mainstream performance vehicles.
On April 27, 2009, amid ongoing financial problems and restructuring efforts, GM announced that it would phase out the Pontiac brand by the end of 2010 and focus on four core brands in the U.S.: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC.[1]
In my opinion it was badge-engineering that killed Pontiac (An Impala is a Catalina is an Olds 88 is a Lesabre is a Sedan de Ville). Why buy a car from Pontiac if Chevy offered the same car for less money?
The Pontiac brand was introduced by General Motors in 1926 as the 'companion' marque to GM's Oakland Motor Car line. The Pontiac name was first used in 1906 by the Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works. A name linked to Chief Pontiac, an American Indian chief who led an unsuccessful uprising against the British shortly after the French and Indian War. The Oakland Motor Company and Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works Company merged in November 1908 under the name of the Oakland Motor Car Company. The operations of both companies were joined together in Pontiac, Michigan (of Oakland County) to build the Cartercar. General Motors in 1909 purchased Oakland. General Motors' first Pontiac was conceived of as an affordable six cylinder intending to compete in the more inexpensive four cylinder model range. Within months of its introduction, Pontiac was outselling Oakland. As a result of Pontiac's sales rising while Oakland's sales were declining, Pontiac became the only 'companion' marque to survive its 'parent', with Oakland ceasing production in 1932.
Damn I love cars like this - a 1948 Pontiac Silver Streak Convertible Coupe:
My buddy's Dad had one of these with a 455 in it, and we used to scare the crap out of each other:
Yes, it's a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix. Station wagons had the same engine, but this was a bit more exciting.
So now Pontiac will go to that junkyard in the sky, sometime during 2010. RIP GTO.
BONUS AUTOMOTIVE NONSENSE: Funniest "Pontiac" ad I ever saw wasn't selling a Pontiac:
It has to be asked: why in the fuck did GM (or Ford (3) or Chrysler(4)) have four brands????
I get that you might, you know, want to put Jeeps in your Jeep division, but then don't market a fucking Dodge Ram, because you're cannibalizing your sales.
Similarly, I remember when you could buy the same frikkin' car (the Nova/Omega/whothefuckcarestheothermodels) under all four GM brands! What's the point?
This is what they get for foisting the Aztek on the American driver. Ugliest car this country ever produced.
Still, I'd have to say, the most favorite car I ever owned was a '79 Grand Prix.
I once got stuck with an Aztec as a rental, driving from the Inland Empire to San Francisco. It was nearly, but not quite, enough to ruin a really fun trip. Nice to remember that once upon a time, Pontiac (and GM) made cars that didn't suck. "Cruisin' around in my GTO." Damn!
The Pontiac brand was introduced by General Motors in 1926 as the 'companion' marque to GM's Oakland Motor Car line. The Pontiac name was first used in 1906 by the Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works. A name linked to Chief Pontiac, an American Indian chief who led an unsuccessful uprising against the British shortly after the French and Indian War. The Oakland Motor Company and Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works Company merged in November 1908 under the name of the Oakland Motor Car Company. The operations of both companies were joined together in Pontiac, Michigan (of Oakland County) to build the Cartercar. General Motors in 1909 purchased Oakland. General Motors' first Pontiac was conceived of as an affordable six cylinder intending to compete in the more inexpensive four cylinder model range. Within months of its introduction, Pontiac was outselling Oakland. As a result of Pontiac's sales rising while Oakland's sales were declining, Pontiac became the only 'companion' marque to survive its 'parent', with Oakland ceasing production in 1932.
Yes, it's a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix. Station wagons had the same engine, but this was a bit more exciting.
So now Pontiac will go to that junkyard in the sky, sometime during 2010. RIP GTO.
Pontiac dies = the terrorists win.
Posted by: Agi | April 27, 2009 at 07:33 PM
I suspect it has something to do with not being "Green" enough.
(Sarcasm or not? Hmmmm, I move in mysterious ways.)
Posted by: Mike | April 28, 2009 at 03:37 AM
Frankly, I find it pathetic GM selects Pontiac for the dungheap while planning to continue production of the Hummer (Just another blowjob... hmmmm).
Posted by: lonestar | April 28, 2009 at 07:56 AM
Mike: Green is the new black, or something.
lonestar: The Hummer is the future. Take that you Prius-driving cargo cult members!
Posted by: Agi | April 28, 2009 at 08:14 AM
It has to be asked: why in the fuck did GM (or Ford (3) or Chrysler(4)) have four brands????
I get that you might, you know, want to put Jeeps in your Jeep division, but then don't market a fucking Dodge Ram, because you're cannibalizing your sales.
Similarly, I remember when you could buy the same frikkin' car (the Nova/Omega/whothefuckcarestheothermodels) under all four GM brands! What's the point?
Posted by: actor212 | April 28, 2009 at 08:48 AM
This is what they get for foisting the Aztek on the American driver. Ugliest car this country ever produced.
Still, I'd have to say, the most favorite car I ever owned was a '79 Grand Prix.
Posted by: LewScannon | April 28, 2009 at 02:57 PM
I once got stuck with an Aztec as a rental, driving from the Inland Empire to San Francisco. It was nearly, but not quite, enough to ruin a really fun trip. Nice to remember that once upon a time, Pontiac (and GM) made cars that didn't suck. "Cruisin' around in my GTO." Damn!
Posted by: eric | April 28, 2009 at 05:36 PM
I was once an Olds man, so I feel your pain.
Posted by: Rhodo Zeb | April 29, 2009 at 10:21 AM