Pontiac responds to G8 rumours, sort of

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By George Skentzos | October 29th, 2008

Pontiac has responded to recent rumours surrounding the future of its G8 range, we’re just not sure if they understood what the rumour was about.

Pontiac has gone on record saying it would not be cancelling either its G8 or Solstice range – although did not address the key issue being the viability of their next-generation replacements.

The VE-based Pontiac G8 range is safe for at least another 5 years – as we already knew, with Pontiac reminding the public that production of the flagship G8 GXP model has only just begun here in Australia with the ST soon to follow.

“We’ve just started building the G8 GXP in Australia and the first cars should be here right around the end of the year. The G8 ST is still on target to start production about mid-summer 2009 and arrive in North America in the fall.”

It has also spoken similarly of its Solstice model which starts production in January.

As for its progression to the next-generation model based on the Australian developed Commodore, Pontiac failed to address the issue – seemingly having not planned that far ahead.

“Our plan is to keep building great cars, like the G8 and Solstice, today, tomorrow, and the next day. We’ll leave the predictions for the future to the folks at the Psychic Friends Network.”

While this response only reinforces the expectation that Pontiac would continue with the VE-platform throughout its five year life-cycle, it seems beyond that is a mystery even to Pontiac itself.

Source: PontiacUnderground

http://integra Manly

Its academic really ……..GM wont last another 5 years anyway………..
Tom

Exactly, who knows what type of form GM will be in in 5 years.

I suspect Pontiac would be one of the first divisions that get the axe if someone with a bit of initiative finally takes to GM.
Casey

Shakey times ahead, there’s been a few rumours flying about GM these past few days. I for one hope they hold on, not just as a GM fan, but for the sake of us all financially.

If GM goes down, and takes others with it (as it would – subsidiary companies, suppliers, etc) could you imagine the fall out financially, not only in the US but abroad – even here eventually? All those people suddenly out of work? Scary thought.
Tom

As much as i hate to say it, it seems very likely GM will go under. yes they are trying to fix things, but the problem is too large, they have such a big clutter of dealer networks and unnecessary brands in the US, not to mention sub class products in the categories that actually count (companies like honda and toyota didn’t get rich by selling sports cars).

I honestly can’t see a way they can keep up with the japanese. That saddens me greatly, because GM produces some of the world’s most interesting cars.
Wheelnut

the thing that is killing GM and Ford more than poor sales is the agreement they signed with the Union of American Automotive Workers back in the late 80s which basically requires then to pay workers health expenses after they’ve retired..
However GM and Ford are expected to put forward a new proposal which abolishes the health care clause.. if the workers aree smart and want to keep their jobs they’ll accept it – otherwise I wouldn’t be surprises if they cease production in the USA – as do a number of industry experts
silky

wheelnut these two corps wont be around much longer anyway, they are gonna file for protection and then all bets with the unions are off. Is that okay car advice or do you feel a need to censor my comments, partic if they dont agree with yours..really, disgraceful guys..
silky

Casey 15 years ago the MV industry in AU used to directly employ about 120,000 people, now, what, 10,000, the world will go on, and the more effiecient industries will pick up the slack. GM should go down, absolute farce as a business..
JEYKL & HYDE

wheelnut,

you are spot on!!!.gm usa is flogging a dead horse. just one question remains,how can it “die sweetly”(or have a “good” fire)in aussie terms.if gm usa owes money to “a”bank,and lets face it half of them are stuffed anyhow,whats the revival plan…
eveready

The automotive manufacturing industry employs around 40,000 to 50,000 in Australia. If one of the OEM’s shuts its doors the flow on effect to suppliers will be drastic across the whole supply chain. Not to mention the specialist support companies that rely on manufacturing business, many of them are small business with no other clientele. The impact on the economy will definitely be felt.

I would hate to see GM or Ford go under. It is interesting that only a year ago Ford was the company seen as in the most danger. Now I would say GM is in the worst position – low on cash reserves (ford took out a 40billion dollar loan last year and have estimated 26bill still in cash) and the ability to sell of Volvo & its Mazda stake. The other benefit is that Ford US has Ford of Europe, which has a very very strong product line-up to base any US model restructuring around. GM’s options are more limited to raise funds, it European arm is unfortunately not as strong and they have brands most other companies do not want.

Also interesting that Holden is in as much trouble as Ford locally with demand of VE vehicles falling here and abroad. Holden have essentially placed all there eggs in the large RWD segment, and if GM HQ fail to green-light the next Zeta platform they will have no-where to go. FoA on the other hand has plans to build the Focus (and potentially derivatives), so they just need to survive till 2011. If Holden elect to do a small car, it is at least 4 years before they can make this happen, which could be too late?

Anyway, very very challenging times ahead, lets hope all the domestics can pull through!
http://integra Manly

Well funny isnt it ?? a while ago we were hanging shit on Ford Oz for not exporting the FG ……..now as things pan out a bit more maybe it was a good idea to hold of on that idea. Maybe…..just maybe…..if Ford U.S. close more plants they might need Ford OZ to build them a large fuel efficient, multi fuel car……..Territory or FG

Anyway ..the only thing we know for sure is that alot more changes and job losses are imminent……
http://integra Manly

Does anyone know what effect the closing of GMAC next year will have on Holden dealerships ?? I think they finance the dealers stock ……….is that how it works ??
Dlr1

Many dealers with GMAC floorplans have until 30 November to refinance/payout GMAC or risk GMAC taking their stock and auctioning it off to recover their money.
Richo

That GMAC thing isn’t just hurting holden btw, GE money have also pulled out of Australia and a crap load of dealerships in australia have their floor stock owned by GE!
Frontman

Manly,
Yes GMAC did finance a lot of dealer stock, as did GE AUTO (the old AGC), but it would a fairly poor dealership that didn’t get picked up by the likes of St George & Esanda (mods, I’m not intending to advertise, just explaining.) I seriously doubt that you will see wholesale dumping of brand new cars at an auction house near you anytime soon as was rumoured by another source earlier this week.
I personally don’t see GM going down. I can’t see either political party in the states allowing that to happen. It will shrink and go somewhat quiet in it’s restructure (possibly a lot more offshore) but it will survive. After all it survived the Depression.
Eveready is spot on with the evaluation of Ford though, as much as a lot of people put down Mullaly, that is his response. Convert truck Factories to Euro Ford product, replace US Focus with Euro Focus, bring in Mondeo again & for the First time intro Fiesta.
Pontiac’s response, dare I say it, really is what one would expect, much like the FWD Falcon, if these companies did not answer interms of “yes we will continue if the market demands” then one could really call them (as some already do) Pig headed and not prepared for change.

P.S To the moderators thank you for the standards, will keep this blog more focussed (unlike another popular bun fight)
Bavarian Missile

Manly – Whether or not Pontiac do eventually decide to stop selling the VE based G8 doesn’t alther the fact that by exporting the Commodore and the Statesman to the USA Middle East and the UK got them noticed internationally..

That is those in the USA in particular were able to see how good the quality of car we Australians can design and build and how inferior the Average American built car is.

Mainly because GM CEO Bob Lutz fell in love with the Monaro and was impressed that Holden could make it go from concept to reality in less than 3 years.

As a result Holdens position in GM world is a lot higher than that of Ford and even Toyota Australia; and they are now heavily involved in a number of future GM projects in both design and engineering ie – the Camaro for example

Whereas because of Mr Ford Jr Snr Jr’s ignorant arrogant self righteous attitude that American is Better… The Ford Falcon never got the opportunity that Holden did because Ford knew if the Falcon was sold in the USA it would make their Crown Victoria sedan look like a Model T.

So despite that Holdens export program may be cut back.. I believe its a good thing that Holden gae it a go and got some recognition at least… Hey the VEwon Middle East Car of The Year

Although I expect the G8 will eventually be built in Canada alongside the Camaro once they have been able to meet initial demand.. leaving Holden room to build other cars including the Torana and maybe even local versions of Chevs and Opels at Elizabeth
eveready

This may be a bit off topic, but I drove past Fowles Auction Yard (the one on Princes Hwy just past the Western Ring Rd) – and noticied it was jammed packed with Commodores. Does anyone know what the go is with that?

Is it a sign that Holden have been over producing cars?

I know Ford has drastically cut production output recently (causing the lay-off of staff reported by the media), this was to match production to demand. By the looks of it, Holden will have to do the same?
B-Man

Eveready

The commodores at Manheim-fowles in Altona are there for storage only, they are not assigned to auction. As far as i am aware, it is to free up some space at holdens own storage facility in the area, so i wouldn’t be taking it as any kind of sign as to the astanding of commodore sales.
http://www.caradvice.com.au George

Guys, your fantastic comments are much appreciated! Good to see so many constructive and well thought out responses!
JEYKL & HYDE

everready,

also might have to do with the fact that holden arn’t making many more anything locally before 09(big holiday break)
Wheelnut

You took my identity babe….so Im taken yours hehehe.
http://CarAdvice Rising Asia

Bavarian Missile Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Manly – Whether or not Pontiac do eventually decide to stop selling the VE based G8 doesn’t alther the fact that by exporting the Commodore and the Statesman to the USA Middle East and the UK got them noticed internationally..

The current economic crisis might see this not happen, what then. Would they be bought out by another?
Wheelnut

If Pontiac decide to continue selling the G8 which they are expected to do as they need a RWD car of some sort [be it the size of a Commodore or the new Torana which Bob Lutz said is the perfect car to become the new Pontiac G6 compact sedan] to compete against the Japanese and Europeans… Then expect Production of the LHD variants to be built in Canada alongside the Camaro as it to uses the VEs platform

However; If Pontiac do decide to stop selling the G8 then Holden can focus more on the Middle East and the UK – with the potential to go into Europe too. Not to mention the new medium sized car [Torana] they plan to make at Elizabeth
Tom

Holden, we really want a 1400kg Torana, thankyou.
Andrew M

Tom,
a 1400kg Torana is very unlikely since their current small car (Astra) already weighs pretty much that
Spitfire

The Torana is a pipe dream (no pun intended). The numbers do not stack up.
Andrew M

Spitfire,
I agree.
Im not really feeling the Torana vibe either
Dlr1

i do find it somewhat amusing that a number of people who champion the “Torana” cause criticise other manufacturers for offering a number of models in a particular segment that they believe are almost the same size… i think their little mantra goes something like “Rav4 is a wannabe Kluger is a wannabe Prado is a wanna be Landrcruiser” or something like that.
Wouldn’t the Torana be a wannabe Commie? As such i think its probably one or the other, not both.
On a small sideline Autonews reports that Ford has plans to reduce the number of platforms it builds cars on globally from 35 down to 9. Such a plan could easily spell the end for the RWD Falcon as we know it.
SamR

I used to be a huge Holden fan in the 70′s and 80′s.

Now there is not ONE car they make that I would even dream of buying. Sure I would like to drive a HSV 427 but no way would I want to own one.

Their smaller cars are rubbish too, either Korean crap or unreliable expensive to maintain Euro crap.

The Govt should stop buying Commodores and buy Greener cars as in their Greenhouse policy
Marvin McConoughey

Mostly true, Missile, when you say, \”those in the USA in particular were able to see how good the quality of car we Australians can design and build and how inferior the Average American built car is.\” I live in the USA and went shopping the past week for a new car. Pluses for the G8GT include the powerful engine, good automatic, and roomy interior. The looks were good, but not superior. We didn\’t choose to pursue the G8 GT further because of the dark, gloomy interior, the very high seat side bolsters, and the very poor fuel mileage in town. We were not impressed with the faux air scoops on the hood. We are now looking at a Hyundai Genesis V8, which I admit is not a direct equivalent.

USA cars have, in my parochial view, generally better looking interiors but lag behind in the mechanicals.