Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, GM, GMC, Pontiac
Pontiac's new identity: RWD?
It's no secret that General Motors' one-time "performance" brand has lost its way in recent years, to the point where product czar Bob Lutz singled out Pontiac as one of GM's "damaged brands" in a widely-quoted speech. Now rumors are circulating that GM may revive Pontiac's performance focus by dumping FWD models in favor of an exclusively RWD lineup.
Autoweek reports that a plan may be in the works to phase out the FWD models after the next round of model revisions already in the works. Also rumored to be on the way out are any truck models, with the Torrent SUV possibly destined to receive a GMC badge. A new RWD sedan would replace the Grand Prix.
This would be a big change for Pontiac, which currently carries only two RWD models, the Solstice and the soon to be discontinued GTO. Needless to say, the RWD plans would include the new GTO already making the rounds of the rumor circuit, but it seems unlikely that a new Firebird will join the pony car revival any time soon.
Look for a forthcoming Pontiac RWD concept car as a trial balloon for the new brand strategy.
[Source: Autoweek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
naggs 7:12PM (5/29/2006)
excelent idea, getting rid of the minivan was step 1 and now dont screw it up with a rebadged cobalt. even now i consider the g6 to be a brand damaging car, its just not a drivers car and nothing like it should be anywhere near an "american bmw"
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Paul H 7:15PM (5/29/2006)
Oh GM....
Pontiac needs a lot more than RWD to ever be seriously considered as a supplier of sports sedans. It's a decent idea, and it could turn out some decent cars, but in my opinion, GM needs to just axe Pontiac and GMC, and maybe Buick too. They're spreading themselves too thin...they need to invest more money in fewer, high-quality cars. Just my thoughts.
Hopefully Pontiac can turn out a retro-looking GTO that's nearly as good-looking and fast as the new Mustang, upcoming Challenger, and hopefully upcoming Camaro.
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Steve 7:19PM (5/29/2006)
yaaaaaaay
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not important 7:20PM (5/29/2006)
pontiacs should be bmws with v8s, simple as that.
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Jay 7:38PM (5/29/2006)
I love reading news that says GM is finally agreeing to do what almost every man, woman, child, dog, cat, and protozoa on Earth has been telling them they need to do for years and years.
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doglet 7:41PM (5/29/2006)
i agree, it seems like the corporate guys at gm are making decisions based on market research from 10 years ago. it has seemed like that alot recently. the biggest concern that i have is that by the time they finally get to all rear wheel drive, fwd will be back.
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Stphane Dumas 7:55PM (5/29/2006)
for small cars and "small" mid-size, FWD will be the rules while mid-size who're a bit bigger and larger cars, RWD can have some of its advantages, however with lots more of hp and torque who'll be added over the years, we tend to overshadow AWD who might become a more major player over the years.
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goat 8:13PM (5/29/2006)
YES! YES! YES!
This is exactly what I've been saying is the way to go with Pontiac.
American styling, rear wheel drive exclusively and German performance and handling.
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AdamT 8:23PM (5/29/2006)
It's not gonna matter which end is doing the work if they still look like the Grand Prix.....or if they just look like the Impala with a twin-opening grille insert.
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Noah 8:36PM (5/29/2006)
I don't buy it in the least. I won't believe this until I see them on showroom froors. We're going to keep seeing badge swapping and FWD left right and center until they go into Chapter 11 and then we'll see the change.
--Noah
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Stoneman 8:37PM (5/29/2006)
How about going further and getting AWD with Vehicle Stability Control like Audi?
I drove an A4 Quattro Turbo two weeks ago. Oh man. That car is good. But check my review of it.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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farris 9:11PM (5/29/2006)
you know, the fiero was RWD....
just wishful thinking, i guess
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Jeff the Baptist 9:12PM (5/29/2006)
"GM needs to just axe Pontiac and GMC, and maybe Buick too."
Killing both Pontiac and GMC would also destroy Buick by gutting the dealer network. The Pontiac/Buick/GMC dealer is too common and for good reason. Dealers need all three brands to compete with other brands like Chevy, Ford, Toyota, etc.
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Steve 9:18PM (5/29/2006)
Be carefull what you wish for. Bad RWD is worse then average FWD. If the G6 Pontiac had either AWD/FWD,the 3.9 pushrod with 270hp, VVT auto six speeds with paddels and better tires it would be a very good sports coupe(and the interior from Saab). Pontiac could have this to market in six months. They could then offer additional vehicle that are RWD and AWD. It dosn't have to be all or nothing, just a good product with correct pricing. I have never had any quaility problems with GM (we have a fleet of 34 cars and trucks) just strange product offerings.
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doglet 9:21PM (5/29/2006)
gm should have chevy and cadillac only
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BimmerLover 9:53PM (5/29/2006)
As a consumer who has purchased 18 high performance vehicles in the past 25 years, I can honestly tell you that I have never given serious consideration to a FWD car. Pontiac's move to shift to RWD is smart and overdue. I'd like to see a new GTO and a RWD Gran Prix with a 400hp engine option. Just notice how successfull Dodge has been with the Charger, Magnum and (hopefully) the Challenger! It's crunch-time, GM, and RWD is back in style!
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Baffled by the lack of finish 10:23PM (5/29/2006)
I just returned from a trip and had the unfortunate experience of renting a Chevy Cobalt as airport transportation. Just as with all the GMs I've seen in recent years, the switchgear and interior finish were embarrassingly bad. On top of that the gas pedal had an odd swtichy lag, there was no 'overdrive off' button for the auto tranny, and the driver's seat had barely working adjustment levers.
I suffered flashbacks to a Chevy rental 2 years ago, a Pontiac rental 3 years ago, a Pontiac rental 4 years ago, and a Pontiac I drove 10 years ago. All the same flaws.
At one time GM used the slogan "Nobody sweats the details like GM," which more accurately should read "Nobody screws up the details like GM."
Pontiac and other GM products first need basic proper execution to compete with premium brands. I both laugh and cry at the BMW/Audi comparisons...I'll take front wheel drive if done right. Mazda can put out sporty fwd vehicles for $20K-$25K (Mazda 3, Mazda 6). These products have decent finishes, solid buzz, and are are truly fun to drive. Why can't GM do this too?
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Jaymez 10:28PM (5/29/2006)
Now, if we could just convince them to move the entire truck and SUV line up over to the GMC nameplate. Chevy and Saturn can share the FWD sedan market, along with mini-vans. Caddy stays where it's at, or move up scale a notch. Axe Buick. Then, GM might have a chance.
Oh, put a banana in Saab's tail pipe.
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Keith 10:32PM (5/29/2006)
YES PLEASE!!!
GM, this will shoot the energy and respect into the brand that will sell cars.
Even if the average Joe does not know about FWD v. RWD, the fact Car & Driver, Edmunds.com, etc. would be writing rave reviews would sell cars.
The BMW 3er is RWD or AWD, and sells VERY well - partly because it gets rave reviews in car tests, mainly because of the sporty RWD design.
GM, PLEASE do this, PLEASE!!!
Oh, very important:
MANUAL TRANSMISSION.
If Pontiac made hi-quality RWD cars with manuals, I would buy if they offered a good value.
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craigger 10:52PM (5/29/2006)
Totally agree with #4. If they drop the LS2 into anything that has a stiff chassis for 2/3 the price of bimmer's they won't be able to make enough of them. The current GTO is an amazing bargain, but the systems engineering is a joke (See trunk, ebrake, and non ipod radio). If they could build a rear wheel drive grand prix car that had old gen 5 series stiffness with a v8, I would easily pay 25-30 for it. And I would love torching all the 3 series. make mine a convt and I'll pay 5 grand more!
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