Comments on: GM cancels Pontiac G8 ST export

By: The Bull

The Bull — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:40:14 +0000

It’s probably just as well. If Pontiac were to sell a few of these, GM would get a whole bunch of different glue-on plastic ‘enhancements’ and then it would be available from Pontiac, Chevrolet, Buick, SAAB, Saturn, Cadillac and Hummer. They might even market it as an Oldsmobile! If it were to be left as a Pontiac ONLY vehicle, there might be incentive to buy that PONTIAC product and not look fot the cheaper vehicle available from a dozen vendors!

By: Franzz

Franzz — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:15:33 +0000

I thought the article was about the Pontiac. Why then are we talking about Toyota?

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:33:01 +0000

Toyota may have ONE very good RWD platform in their line up.. Yet theres’ nothing that says they can’t have TWO or more RWD Platforms is there?

Is the Crown Platform used in any other car in their line up? That is; is it a “Flexible” or “Global” Platform that can be used by a number of other cars

The Opel Insignia for example is built on the Epsillon Platform which is a Flexible/Global Platform as it is suitable for a range of FWD RWD and even AWD cars

The Porsche Audi VWs are another example of Part Sharing

Because as times get tougher Platform sharing and Part Sharing is going to become more common than it is ATM as its one way to remain competitive and reduce costs.

By: Ezz

Ezz — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:47:51 +0000

Is Australia the only country that goes for this kind of car? Not sure if it is in the makeup of Americans (or Europeans) to buy a utility that can’t really be used as a utility.

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By: The Realist

The Realist — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:58:39 +0000

“However; over the last couple of years Holden have shown that they have the experience and the ability to go it alone – I mean they unlike Toyota were prepareed to put forward a case to build a completely new 100% aussrtralian designed and made rear wheel drive car on a platform that could be used for other project cars.. They put forward the case and it got the green light.”

Yes, but as a business proposition it was a loser – how much have GMH lost over the past few years? And when will they ever be profitable?

“If Toyota are so good why didn’t they do a similar thing to Holden and ask Tokyo if they could make an all new car [maybe even go against tradition and make it a RWD Toyota] instead of taking a platform from overseas then make a number of modifications to it to try and make it more suitable to Australias unique and harsh environment.”

Toyota have one very good RWD car in their Japanese stable – the Crown – which could have been adapted for Aussie use.

I was a passenger in my friend’s Crown in Tokyo recently, and it puts the Aurion to shame.

By: Frenchie

Frenchie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:58:50 +0000

I think GM canceled the ute as Pontiac dealers in US (and there are some 4000) don’t know what or how to sell this vehicle. Most dealers ask GM for a rebate to pass on to customers.

This rebate to get customers in their door has contributed to GM’s finacial mess and was use on just about all of GM vehicle. Some of the better dealers don’t use any rebates as they know what their market wants.

OK they have lot of G8’s in stock (8000), but they have alot of other vehicles that they make in the US in stock too!

What I can’t understand is why are they keeping the G3?
Maybe they will rebadge it under chevy like Wheelnut said as Pontiac have no SUV’s and it gets back to what I was saying before that Pontiac dealers will not know how to sell the ute in the US.

By: SamR

SamR — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:13:22 +0000

Holden can’t go alone, no way.

They may be able design and build a car but they would be making use of a great deal of GM technology, patents and parts. They would also be making use of GM facilities all over the world for various parts of their car designs.

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:04:44 +0000

Scrap Metal – Holden did really well on theri own befroe GM took them over in the late 1930s..

However; over the last couple of years Holden have shown that they have the experience and the ability to go it alone – I mean they unlike Toyota were prepareed to put forward a case to build a completely new 100% aussrtralian designed and made rear wheel drive car on a platform that could be used for other project cars.. They put forward the case and it got the green light.

If Toyota are so good why didn’t they do a similar thing to Holden and ask Tokyo if they could make an all new car [maybe even go against tradition and make it a RWD Toyota] instead of taking a platform from overseas then make a number of modifications to it to try and make it more suitable to Australias unique and harsh environment.

Even you would have to admit that if they made the Aurion RWD; it would have been taken more seriously [by car enthusiasts] which could have saved the TRD brand as well as been as a more direct rival to Falcon and Commodore.

By: Captain Mainwaring

Captain Mainwaring — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:29:09 +0000

This was a dumb idea from day one, typical of the meatheads who have run GM into the ground.
As a Chevrolet El Camino it would have worked. Badging it as a Pontiac (who have never sold a pickup of any kind) was like pinning a ‘CLOSED’ sign on the Pontiac shop.
Let’s get GM into Chapter 11 as fast as possible and start over.

By: bencong

bencong — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:38:33 +0000

cant say im suprised that the yanks dont want the ve ute in some part due to the economic downturn they them selves have created but maybe also due to the fact that the ve is just oh so average having just got rid of my ve sv6 ute the most woefull car i have ever owned.the only thing good about the ve is its good looks ,build and finish is on par with korean cheapies,my old vy storm was a much better car.sorry gm never again.

By: Motorhead

Motorhead — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:49:05 +0000

It’s a shame as I think marketed right it could have worked by going after people wanting to downsize from a full sized truck to something a bit smaller & more economical while remaining practical.

By: Frontman

Frontman — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:00:57 +0000

Scrap Metal, that is the worse case scenario, but in the glass half full scenario, Opel, Vauxhall, Holden & GM-DAT are actually reasonably well positioned to (under the right leadership) seperate as one and become a far better proposition. (yes I know, I will awaken from the dream time soon :-( ..)

By: Bret

Bret — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:34:14 +0000

Frontman & Nick,
Maybe the VE global platform has not been the success that GM had hoped, but make no mistake without GM Holden doing this new global platform, Commodore would now be a local adaption of some other GM global platform.

Local platforms for specific regions are finished in the long term, every car, in every country will eventually be part of a global platform program.

It’s sink or swim for the VE platform. Either GM make it work in significant numbers worldwide or Aus gets an adaption of something else.

That’s why, unfortunately, I think that the Falcon as we know it is finished long term – it will eventually be part of a global platform program.

All we can hope for is Commodore and Falcon to be Australia needs and not some “close enough best fit”.

By: Schah7

Schah7 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:31:58 +0000

Schah7
I’m as Happy as that the Commodore Ute has been Cancelled
Besides the Crap Chevy engine the ute is probably one of the Best cars G.M U.S.A has. Just not the Market I guess.
Just wish Ford would get their Act together and offer a few
more “Cult-Type” Cars.
Look at the Line up:

Corvette
Camaro
Pontiac G8
Pontiac ST G8 Ute
Caddilac CTS
Hummer
Volt [New-Age] car
Ford:

Mustang

Ford shore we all need the “New-Age” Cars BUT how about a few more with “Heart-Soul”

By: Scrap Metal

Scrap Metal — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:29:07 +0000

Nick .how can Holden move away from the GM ? They are owned and basically run by GM. The fact is if GM go down the shitpipe so too will Holden.

By: Scrap Metal

Scrap Metal — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:25:06 +0000

BJ……I totally agree. It is just a matter of time before it ends. GM may not even be around by March…….well more than likely wont be around by March the way things are going.

By: nick

nick — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:23:08 +0000

I couldn’t agree more with frontman. Holden needs to do their own thing and move away from the General. We also need to start putting Aussie’s who understand our market back in charge and not yank’s trying to cut costs and please head quaters. If they can’t make their home market work, what chance do they have with ours? Holden was highly profitable in the early 2000’s under aussie leadership and now it’s back asking for government handhand outs.

By: BJ

BJ — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:15:28 +0000

The G8 will be the next to go; why would GM continue to import the G8 only to watch it pile up in stock yards? If you can’t sell it; don’t import it.

By: Frontman

Frontman — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:40:03 +0000

I just feel for Holden, I mean realistically they put their wotsits on the line a few years ago and designed a platform to suit what GM wanted for it’s grand vision of a Global RWD platform. Ever since then the yanks have basically snubbed it. I reckon VE would have been a lot better if the team had’ve been able to do what they wanted not what the yanks wanted. (please note I prefer to drive the FG to the VE and base the comment on my preference only)

By: Scrap Metal

Scrap Metal — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:44:30 +0000

Alex…….thats probably right because yank interiors are as bad if not worse than the VE. I guess when you compare it to the FG Falcon it looks even worse.