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REPORT: GM may let dealers sell remaining "non-core" vehicles as used with big discounts

Chris Shunk — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Pontiac, Saturn

You've seen the dealer commercials before. "Now is the time to buy.... year end sale!" Well, if you want the Pontiac or Saturn of your dreams, this really is the best ever time to deal because it's literally the last chance to get a new vehicle from these brands. The Wall Street Journal reports that General Motors is offering dealers $7,000 in cash for each new Saturn or Pontiac model sold until the deal ends January 4. Edmunds reportedly told the WSJ that it expects GM will have about 4,200 Saturn and Pontiac models by January 1.

That $7,000 in cash goes straight to dealers, meaning that a dealer can give you all or only some of the $7,000 off the vehicle if they so choose. But if you do get the entire $7,000 rebate, it could amount to 46 percent off the price of a new Pontiac G3 - you know, if driving a rebadged Chevrolet Aveo is your idea of excitement. But hey, how many new cars can you buy for $8,000 outside of India? A more compelling deal could be $7,000 off the price of a Saturn Astra. Getting a brand-new Astra with tons of options and a $13,000 price tag could be considered a steal.

The catch to the sale is that the vehicle will be sold as used since dealers will officially be the first owners of the vehicle. That could effect customers' ability to purchase a new vehicle with a GM employee or supplier discount, but in the majority of cases, the $7,000 would likely be the better deal. Hat tip to Keerthi!

[Source: The Wall Street Journal | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

REPORT: GM may let dealers sell remaining "non-core" vehicles as used with big discounts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: GM kills Pontiac UPDATED with LIVE webcast embed

Chris Paukert — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:50:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Pontiac, Earnings/Financials

Rumors from late last week have come home to roost, and as part of its restructuring efforts, General Motors has just announced that Pontiac will be "phased out by the end of 2010." GM will continue to build its accelerated viability plan around four brands: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC.

As part of its latest announcement, GM also announced that it plans to have "the resolution" of Saab, Saturn, and Hummer by the end of 2009 "at the latest." In total, GM plans to end up with just 34 nameplates for 2010, as compared to 48 for 2008 - a reduction of some 29%. Further, as part of its viability plan tendered to President Obama's Auto Task Force, the automaker's revised viability plan projects that GM's total market share will dip to 18.4 to 18.9% - the plan is banking on a 19.5 percent share for this year.

A media conference call is scheduled for later this morning and we will have more details and analysis following that, but for now, the official press release after the jump.

*UPDATE: LIVE WEBCAST of GM press conference embedded after the jump... ~~going on right now!~~ (Concluded)

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Officially Official: GM kills Pontiac *UPDATED with LIVE webcast embed*

Officially Official: GM kills Pontiac *UPDATED with LIVE webcast embed* originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM already has nearly two year supply of Pontiac G3

Chris Paukert — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, GM, Pontiac, Earnings/Financials

2009 Pontiac G3 - Click above for a high-res gallery

In news that will doubtlessly result in a chorus of "We told you so" forehead-slaps from critics who noted the arrival of the Pontiac G3 with disdain, word is that General Motors has a bumper crop of the Korean-built subcompacts sitting on its lots.

How many? According to The Wall Street Journal, nearly a two-year supply at current sales rates. In the course of doing some research, writer Neal Boudette discovered that GM has 3,479 unsold G3 units clogging up its dealers and vacant lots. Combined with the knowledge that dealers sold just 141 units of the car in March (or one unit for every 19 of GM's 2,700 Pontiac stores), that means that GM has a supply of these Chevrolet Aveo5 twins that will last them 617 days, meaning that if the automaker stopped building new units, they would still have a supply that would last them until December 16, 2010.

In all fairness, the G3 just came to market in February, and it often takes some time for a new model to take hold. It could well be that GM is planning a big marketing push for the car, but we've seen no evidence of this thus far, and in these cash-strapped days, it would appear that the General probably has bigger-margin fish to fry.

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac G3

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

REPORT: GM already has nearly two year supply of Pontiac G3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Goodbye-amino? Pontiac could kill G8 ST; become one-car brand

Chris Tutor — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Pontiac, Holden

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Pontiac G8 ST

It's been a bad month for Pontiac fans. While begging for money from Congress, GM mentioned its intentions to sacrifice the brand to aid the General's recovery and get a few billion from the feds in the process. Now comes word that GM may keep the brand around, but cut its lineup in half... or more.

Automotive News spoke with Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC, who said that Pontiac's Aveo-based 2010 G3 will sticker for $15,000, but says it's a short-term product for the brand. Unfortunately, Docherty also hints the G8 Sport Truck's lifespan could be even shorter. "We would be foolish if we didn't take a second look at whether or not that is the right thing to do."

In a separate AN article, Docherty goes even further and suggests Pontiac's lineup could be pared down from six vehicles to a single nameplate. According to Docherty, "We are not going to spend tons of money on product development" for Pontiac and that the Pontiac Torrent will be dropped for 2009.

So what will Pontiac be selling? According to Docherty, the G8 is the most likely candidate for GM's performance brand, and that the ideal future for Pontiac would be "very focused, very specialty or niche."

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac G3

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Goodbye-amino? Pontiac could kill G8 ST; become one-car brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pontiac defends decision to sell G3 in U.S.

John Neff — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Pontiac

Click above for high-res gallery of the Pontiac G3 (without the "Kick Me" sign)

As you may know, Pontiac has finally decided to sell the Korean-built G3 five-door hatchback in the U.S. On sale elsewhere in the world as a Daewoo and as the Pontiac Wave in Canada and Mexico, the G3 is basically a Chevy Aveo5 with a different nose and red gauges. It's brand rebadging in the grand old GM tradition. Jim Hopson, Manager of Pontiac Communications, has recently attempted to defend the G3's insertion into Pontiac's lineup on the GM Fastlane Blog. Let's take a look...

Continue reading Pontiac defends decision to sell G3 in U.S.

Pontiac defends decision to sell G3 in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Pontiac G3 Wave: Excitement has left the building

Alex Nunez — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:12:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Pontiac

Click above for a hi-res gallery of Pontiac G3 Wave

For a little while there, it looked like Pontiac was getting its mojo back. The G8 is terrific, the Solstice GXP Coupe is ready to join the roadster, and the even more awesome G8 GXP is waiting in the wings. All rear-drive. All meant to be fun. And then GM goes and does this.

Behold, friends, the 2009 Pontiac G3 Wave. Yes, that's an Aveo5 with Poncho nostrils, and it reeks of product strategy that's more 1989 than 2009. Why not just call it G3 Le Mans? You know, in honor of the last Daewoo-sourced trashback that helped turn that whole "We Build Excitement" thing into a punchline. By comparison, this makes the equally distressing Pontiac G5 look like a Corvette ZR1 on the cool meter -- and trust us, this is the only scenario in which you'll ever see those two models mentioned in the same sentence again.

The press release after the jump explains that, "More than ever, fuel economy is an important factor in Pontiac's formula of style and performance." In the G3 Waveo, "performance" means red gauge lighting and 106 horsepower channeled through a 5-speed manual or cutting-edge 4-speed automatic. It also gets over 30 mpg highway, so we're supposed to bust out the Veuve Clicquot and celebrate this new era of efficiency at the Pontiac division. Thanks, but we'll skip this party.

The G8 and Solstice are genuinely exciting, desirable cars that had restored some luster to the Arrowhead, but this...

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac G3

[Source: Pontiac]

Continue reading 2009 Pontiac G3 Wave: Excitement has left the building

2009 Pontiac G3 Wave: Excitement has left the building originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A better BMW? E90 3-Series G3 by G-POWER

Scott Davis — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, BMW

How do you improve on a car as good as the E90 BMW 3-Series? There are several tuners in the aftermarket that would be happy to take your money. Some are better than others; G-POWER is one of the best. When it comes to BMW tuning, G-POWER customers benefit from the wealth of experience it has acquired since opening the doors in 1971. For 2006, they have taken liberties with the BMW E90, enhancing every aspect of the bimmers already competent performance.

Starting with a "discreetly-sporty" aerodynamics program with "hybrid" (carbon-fiber reinforced plastic) components produced at their own plant, the body is enhanced with a front bumper, side sills, and a carbon fiber rear diffuser. There is also a wide body kit called "Extremo" that has wheel arch extensions, plus wing spoilers. Wheels are also a part of the package, with several 19 or 20" lightweight styles available.

The range of power options for the G3 is stunning. G-POWER is capable of providing any level of performance the customer requires. Starting with enhanced four and six cylinder engines up to 3.3 liters and it only gets better from there. A 5.2 liter V8 with 420 BHP, a 470 BHP 5 liter V8 and the ultimate, a 5 liter V10 with 550 BHP. More power is also available for diesel fans through their G-POWER D-TRONIK engine tuner. The chassis and exhaust are also tested and tuned on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife to extract every last ounce of potential. The interior can also be enhanced to provide both safety and comfort levels that will only make the driving experience that much better.

[Source: worldcarfans.com]

See more pics after the jump!

Continue reading A better BMW? E90 3-Series G3 by G-POWER

A better BMW? E90 3-Series G3 by G-POWER originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pontiac G3 proves badge engineering alive in Mexico

John Neff — Wed, 03 May 2006 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Budget, Chevrolet, Pontiac

Though General Motors has promised to end the exercise of badge engineering in the U.S., our kin over at Autoblog Spanish have found proof the practice is alive and well in Mexico. Meet the Pontiac G3, what is essentially the 2007 Chevy Aveo that will be sold in the U.S. later this year. The Aveo is itself a clone of the Daewoo Gentra.

Don't get us wrong, we're not knocking the General for selling a version of the Aveo/Gentra in Mexico under the guise of Pontiac. Just as long as Pontiac dealers in the U.S. don't start demanding another small car in addition to the Cobalt-based G5 sold in Canada they're already clamoring for.

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Pontiac G3 proves badge engineering alive in Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 May 2006 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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