Pontiac G3 not coming to the U.S... yet
Despite the fact that Canadian Pontiac dealers are already selling the new Pontiac G3 and that the U.S. EPA has certified the model for sale in the U.S., GM is not currently planning on bringing the model over the border. The G3 is basically a badge-engineered version of the Chevy Aveo, itself a relatively new design in five-door trim. While the front-end and grille of the Poncho may actually be a bit nicer looking than the in-yer-face gaping maw of the Chevy, it still features those unfortunate and ungainly fake side vents. Yuck.
Considering that the G3 would be rated at a relatively good 25/34 with the auto and 27/34 with the standard five-speed stick, we wouldn't be surprised if the G3 did eventually make it into U.S. showrooms nationwide. The G3 could be a fuel efficient, entry-level stepping stone into more expensive options at combined Buick/Pontiac/GMC dealerships.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Chris 4:04PM (8/01/2008)
I know it's their signature, but I am so tired of Pontiac's corporate grille and plastic honeycomb design. Can't they come up with something a little more exciting than that?
Try mesh, Pontiac. Try chicken wire. Just try something NEW.
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Zane 4:22PM (8/01/2008)
How about electrically charged barbed wire and a laser gun hidden under the Pontiac logo?
P.S.: As you might have figured, I'm dying to get out of the office right now.
TyWright 4:03PM (8/01/2008)
Dude if you work for GM, get out. Seriously, that company won't be around long. DROP THE PATRIOTISM and get realistic. The company is making stupid decisions like this one every day that is helping North America falling into the pit faster...
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Joce03 7:21PM (8/01/2008)
Amen to that!
patrick 4:09PM (8/01/2008)
More ugly rebadges from GM. This "g3" looks like a re-hashed design from the 1980's. The pontiac grill is butt ugly now just as in the 80's.
Buh-bye GM. They are so asleep at the wheel.
Didn't Bob Lutz say GM wasn't going to do any badge engineering anymore? I think he said that a few years ago and lookee what we got here y'all.
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why not the LS2LS7? 5:04PM (8/01/2008)
There's no cladding. It looks nothing like an 80s Pontiac.
thomas 5:24PM (8/01/2008)
cladding was 90's.......
jgp 6:47PM (8/01/2008)
Cladding was introduced with the 1985 Pontiac Grand Am.
In any case, this doesn't look like an 80s/90s Pontiac. That's a very specific-looking cheap piece of crap. This just looks like a generic piece of crap.
MachinaDC5 4:08PM (8/01/2008)
G3, Mazda 3, 3 Series, we need more 3-centric names and we need them now!
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BigMcLargeHuge 4:31PM (8/01/2008)
Don't forget more alphanumerics starting with 'G'
And quickly!
3cubed 4:11PM (8/01/2008)
Gm better do something. The Volt, Beat, and Cruze need to be out yesterday. With over a thirty percent drop in sales in July for GM, they need to do something quick.
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Xcountryflyer 4:11PM (8/01/2008)
Desperate to up their CAFE mileage number with this rebadged version of a terrible vehicle.
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mr.ed 11:14PM (8/01/2008)
When you cheap out on engineering, it shows. The mileage on this thing is hardly any better than a Malibu. So, aside from easier parking and lower payments, what's the benefit?
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Alex 4:12PM (8/01/2008)
That's okay, Canada can keep this one.
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phez 4:39PM (8/01/2008)
Believe me, even Canada isn't buying them.
thomas 4:13PM (8/01/2008)
you guys make it sound like theyre selling that thing in the US already....
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txdesign 4:15PM (8/01/2008)
Compared to the innovative small car design shown on the new Ka, MiTo, Fiesta, etc. this is just dull, dull, dull. Get your head out of the small car = boring mindset.
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Graham 4:26PM (8/01/2008)
I hope Autoblog isn't encouraging yet more badge engineering from GM as a good thing, which is part of what's got them into their current predicament.
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Andrew L 12:03AM (8/02/2008)
Are you Kidding me? We need a Buick, SAAB, and a Saturn version of this car... Seriously!
Icon149 4:27PM (8/01/2008)
please oh please don't sell this in the USA as a pontiac! GM pontiac is the performance brand, badge this as something else, sell it as a aveo, we don't need another ugly econobox, it has no sporting pretensions at all. give it rear wheel drive and go kart like handling and we can talk, fix the face while you are at it. this is not edgy enough for pontiac.
blah,
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