Lutz denies Pontiac not getting Alpha platform
When we read in Motor Trend that the Alpha platform would find its way beneath the bow tie instead of the next G6, we were a little disappointed. It didn't make sense that GM would forego the performance-oriented image of Pontiac that Blogger Bob promised us for the more family-friendly, high volume Chevy brand. If you can believe that Maximum Bob returns emails from fanatical Cheers and Gears message board posters (we definitely wouldn't put it past him), then we have nothing to worry about.
In the alleged email, the industry's most outspoken executive cut right to the chase to tell the wide-eyed emailer that Motor Trend's story was "totally untrue." Heck, maybe we'll get the best of both worlds and the General will make a Alpha-based performance Pontiac and a stylish, fun and affordable Chevrolet. We've been denied many of the best overseas platforms for too long, but nothing can make us forgive and forget faster than a couple of world-class RWD sedans that aren't the size of a freighter.
[Source: Cheers and Gears via The GM Source]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Avinash machado 9:35AM (12/06/2007)
Not that Motor Trend had much credibility to begin with.
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Avinash machado 9:36AM (12/06/2007)
Not that Motor Trend had much credibility to begin with.
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Avinash machado 9:37AM (12/06/2007)
Not that Motor Trend had much credibility to begin with.
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Carlos 9:54AM (12/06/2007)
Why does anyone take Motortrend seriously? Take everything that they say with a huge grain of salt.
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Andrew 10:04AM (12/06/2007)
Unless I am stuck in an airport/train station I don't read the print mag, or any print auto mags really, because frankly anything with that long of a delay-to-print and full of ads is more trouble than its worth. But from their website, I think motor trend occasionally goes beyond the conventional wisdom (CTS car of the year etc.) and their bloggers seem like intelligent people with interesting and valid opinions. What makes you guys question their legitimacy?
Andrew 10:04AM (12/06/2007)
Unless I am stuck in an airport/train station I don't read the print mag, or any print auto mags really, because frankly anything with that long of a delay-to-print and full of ads is more trouble than its worth. But from their website, I think motor trend occasionally goes beyond the conventional wisdom (CTS car of the year etc.) and their bloggers seem like intelligent people with interesting and valid opinions. What makes you guys question their legitimacy?
Carlos 2:15PM (12/06/2007)
Considering that they've never been spot on with any "future drives" I would never trust them as a source for automotive intel.
DJ 10:32AM (12/06/2007)
Gee, Bob better be nice to MT or they'll stomp their feet, throw a temper tantrum and take away his COTY award for the CTS.
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Dave 10:33AM (12/06/2007)
Great.
Now leave enough room to replace the pumpkin with an electric motor. And give us a RWD series hybrid.
GM hasn't been able to build a decent rear differential lately anyway.
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oby 10:49AM (12/06/2007)
Someone should gently lead ol' Bob out to pasture. So many of the things he says are contradicted by other big shots in GM (sometimes in the same news conference)! Another sick joke is the notion of Pontiac as a performance division. proof positive that GM has no idea what performance is (except for a certain sports car in the CHEVY lineup).
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sleepdog 11:13AM (12/06/2007)
A better question is why anyone would take some clown at Cheers and Gears seriously. Give me a minute, I'll e-mail Bob and be back w/ GM's lineup plans for the next 5 years. Geez... Yeah, MT sucks, MT doesn't know what they're talking about, yada, yada... blah, blah blah...
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Drew 4:02PM (12/06/2007)
He does return e-mails from Cheers and Gears members. I e-mailed him and asked him to sell the diesel CTS in the US. We exchanged emails about it a few times, but ultimately, the answer was no.
George 11:25AM (12/06/2007)
Lutz is an incontinent old fool. I don't know how this dinosaur found his way to the internet a few years back but no under 40 cares. I can't take anyone that looks like Leslie Nielsen seriously.
Why is the G8 taking so long? I won't be holding my breath for the Volt either.
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Reality Check 7:48PM (12/06/2007)
Good thing he is white or we would be calling you a bigot to! His age has nothing to do with anything. Except to show that you are a fool who dislikes old people.
Owain Ozymandias Buck 9:00AM (12/07/2007)
George, I really have to ask for clarification. Did you mean incontinent or incompetent. He could be incontinent and still be fairly competent. Likewise, if he is incompetent, that alone is no marker that he wears depends undergarments.
Precision in thought demands precision in language. ;)
s 12:28PM (12/06/2007)
Some folks on C&G also seem to have predicted Pontiacs demise is right around the corner. I would see that as a very strong possibility given the protfolio has consisted of nothing more than rebadged Chevys and Holdens for years.
"Tick-tock" as they say.
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Mike 3:30PM (12/06/2007)
And the fact that Lexus sports nothin but rebadged Toyotas, and Acura Sports rebadged Accords is no nevermind to anyone. Every automaker out there does it. I just wish people would stop highlighting GM as if they're the only ones that use this technique.
Holden's for years? Last I checked, the GTO was the first Import.....
naggs 4:07PM (12/06/2007)
why would GM bring out brand new models (solstice, g6, g8 and now new alpha car) if it was even considering killing the brand?
absolutly not going to happen
the law 10:36PM (12/06/2007)
never said Buick will not!
;)
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Mike 3:28PM (12/06/2007)
I remember posting on the other thread saying that "Until I hear official news from GM I won't submit to any of these theories."
Once again, Maximum Bob corroborates my belief (although not personally). So ya'll can relax now. :p
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