GM pulling ahead production of 2009 Pontiac Vibe
The current 2008 Pontiac Vibe
One General Motors model that hasn't received much attention lately is the Pontiac Vibe, but that will be changing in the next few months. The current Vibe has been around for six years and shares a platform and assembly line with the Toyota Matrix. Both cars are built at the GM/Toyota NUMMI joint venture in Fremont, California. Toyota has primary engineering responsibility for both cars and is pulling ahead production of the 2009 Matrix because it's unhappy with the sales mix of the current model. Production of both cars should be starting in the first quarter of 2008 and they will probably make their first public appearance at either the L.A. or Detroit auto shows in November or January, respectively. We briefly got a look at some spy photos of the new Vibe last month and the basic shape is carried over but still in keeping with other current Pontiac models. The styling, however, is much cleaner without the strakes and cladding of past Pontiacs.
[Source: Wards Auto World]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tim 10:15AM (9/19/2007)
The Vibe and Matrix are greater successes in Canada, where buyers are more hatchback-prone than Americans. Seriously some of today's most practical and useable all-around vehicles. Fuel efficiency, somewhat fun-to-drive, and especially roomy considering their exterior dimensions. GoodCarBadCar.net ranked the Vibe as one of the Top 5 American branded vehicles.
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geo.stewart 12:04PM (9/19/2007)
I like the Vibe/ Matrix body style and many do but the downfall is that shared Corolla platform. it is quite outdated and after Toyota quit offering the 180hp engine, it died on the vine.
can only hope the next gen is either kept updated or makes a lightyear leap ahead of competition.
Tim 12:21PM (9/19/2007)
It's true, Toyota/GM might as well realize the next version needs 155bhp+ as the starting point for power and push sportiness alongside the utility. Relating to your comment, check out this Corolla piece.
FrankTheCrank 10:19AM (9/19/2007)
Or as Duddie Diamond(central MA GM whore) likes to call it:
"The gas sipping, SUV, Pontiac Vibe"
Puhleeeze...it's a friggin hatchback.
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john riley 11:19AM (9/19/2007)
'The gas sipping, SUV, Pontiac Vibe'
"Puhleeeze...it's a friggin hatchback."
Which is how most SUVs are used, and what a lot of them are becoming.
psarhjinian 12:28PM (9/19/2007)
Yes, it's a hatchback. A tall hatchback. Formerly with optional AWD. And a high seating position.
Hey, maybe we could come up with a name for cars like the Vibe and Matrix: they're sort of a cross between a hatchback and small SUV. Let's call them "crossovers!"
On a non-sarcastic note, have you looked at most SUVs recently? They're more akin to the Matrix then to the Suburban. Drop the static ride height of the Rogue, Tucson or Compass and inch and you get something a lot like the Matrix.
Chaz 10:26AM (9/19/2007)
The Pontac rendition is more conservative and tasteful than the Toyota. That's gotta be a sign of the apocalypse.
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Robert 10:59AM (9/19/2007)
Pontiac would do well to forget about their "trademark" grille. It ruins everthing, even the otherwise attractive Solstice. Not because the grille is ugly. Heck, it's not much different from the BMW kidneys. It ruins everything because it's associated with so many ugly, rattly, plasticky tubs from the past.
It's like unveiling some all-new, supposedly exciting talk show, and naming Geraldo Rivera as host.
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Robert 11:06AM (9/19/2007)
.. or using Tony Danza in a new sitcom.
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Bill 10:08PM (9/19/2007)
Like the cladding of the 90's, I'm ready for the grill to pass too. They've been clinging to it too long. It's part of what made the GTO go flat. That said I do think the Vibe looks better than the Matrix. My neighbors just got a Vibe, which works perfectly for them and their yappy pair of dogs.
This is off topic, but I was a little sad when Olds was killed, I had been hoping for Pontiac. Styling wise, I thought the last few years of Olds were among the best of GMs lineup. Sure not exciting, but contemporary, consistent through the lineup, and not gimmicky like Pontiac.
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AlexP 11:17AM (9/19/2007)
I don't know where you heard that Matrixes were built in the NUMMI plant, but it isn't the case, they're made in the Ontario (province) plant, the same plant in which Corollas are made.
The Vibe and Matrix (ever since Corolla production was moved to Canada) are built at different locations.
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Kowell 11:39AM (9/19/2007)
True, I don't even think the Matrix was ever built in USA. Ontario has been producing the Matrix for as long as it existed.
Bob-omb 12:12PM (9/19/2007)
So is this going to be on the new Corolla platform or not? I'm assuming it is, but I'm surprised there's already, like, completed spy shots that look like they're from a factory. And the interior only looks freshened.
Oh, the board took down the shots...bummer. That board's a fanboy paradise. Saying GM doesn't need Toyota to help them with this car since the Delta platform and the 2.2L ecotec are better than anything Toyota has to offer. What a laugh!
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SS3 1:08PM (9/19/2007)
I owned a Vibe for four years, it was a great urban runabout (and surprisingly good on the highway). Nice steering, excellent seats, and a very flexible cargo hauler.
Weakness? The powertrain. Not enough torque, noisy and rough at high RPM, and a terrible clutch and gearbox.
My car was NOT unique. The Corolla powertrain was fuel efficient but it left a LOT to be desired in the refinement and power department.
Andre 2:09PM (9/19/2007)
The New Matrix and Corolla will be unveil at SEMA next month.
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Beat-it-nerd 1:30PM (9/19/2007)
It is being unveiled at the LA auto show. Fact.
http://www.gmaccessoriesstore.com
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Gary Combs 2:31PM (9/19/2007)
I fell in love with the Vibe when it came out. I got one in 2003, just recently totaled it in May and got an '07 last month. I would have loved to wait and get an '09 model, but thats too far off. Seriously is a great "american" car and I wish Pontiac would due more to promote it. I love the fuel efficiency and even the 130 hp engine. I drive a manual for the control, otherwise I don't think I could handle having just 130 horses...
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Chuck U. Farlie 2:59PM (9/19/2007)
I've heard stories of next gen. Corolla and Matrix platforms offering up an optional V6 mill. If that's the case I'll have a mint 2005 Matrix XR for sale when the new one hits the showroom!
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SPG 3:05PM (9/19/2007)
Ever driven a totally basic Matrix or Vibe?
They are terrible.
One of my least favorite things are when you have your groceries on the plastic rear cargo area you can hear them banging around and getting damaged.
Plus it's so tinny and the handling is crap.
This car needs a good rethinking to make it as great as I thought it was before driving one for a week.
In the end my wife hated it so much she threw a bottle at it and it broke off one of the logos from the back.
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RenaultMike 4:20PM (9/19/2007)
AlexP is correct. The Pontiac Vibe is built at the NUMMI plant in Fremont. The Toyota Matrix is not. NUMMI does build Toyotas, though, including the Corolla and Tacoma truck. If you are visiting the Bay Area, a tour of the NUMMI plant is quite a fun activity.
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