General Motors has filed to trademark Vibe and Vibe Edition, GM Authority has learned. The trademarks will be used in conjunction with new vehicles, but probably not a new Pontiac Vibe.
The trademarks were filed on March 18th, 2025 with the Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial (IMPI), an organization that could be considered the Mexican equivalent of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The trademarks have been assigned serial number 0119853339099 for Vibe and 0119853339098 for Vibe Edition, and both filings list “Terrestrial Motor Vehicles, namely automobiles” under the Goods and Services category.
2003 Pontiac Vibe
For those readers who may not remember, GM previously offered a compact hatchback dubbed the Pontiac Vibe between the 2003 and 2010 model years. Built as part of a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota, the Vibe shared the same platform as the Toyota Matrix, packing in a surprising amount of space inside the cabin and in the rear cargo area. The Vibe also offered all-wheel drive, and was powered by a series of Toyota-sourced engines.
Unfortunately, the Vibe was discontinued as part of GM’s broader phase-out of the Pontiac brand in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and GM’s subsequent bankruptcy. Pontiac Vibe production officially came to a halt in August of 2009, while the Pontiac brand itself was discontinued in early 2010.
2010 Pontiac Vibe
With all that in mind, it’s looking as though this new Vibe trademark won’t apply to a new Pontiac model. Rather, GM may repurpose the Vibe nameplate for a Chevy model instead, such as a new Chevy Vibe, or possible a Vibe Edition of some existing model already on sale in Mexico, however, at this point, exactly how GM will use the trademark (if GM does in fact use it at all) remains to be seen.
We should also mention the controversy that erupted last year when a cryptic ad declared the imminent return of Pontiac, sending enthusiasts into a frenzy at the brand’s potential rebirth. Unfortunately, the whole thing turned out to be little more than a joke.
Comments
The hemi was supposed to be dead last year as well and yet, here we are! Long live pontiac!
If gm can resurrect Hummer under the GMC brand, they can certainly bring some “driving excitement” under the Chevrolet brand with a Vibe! How about a Grand Prix/Bonneville/GTO? The gas blazer today already looks like the Pontiac Aztec from 20 years ago, and the void left by discontinuing the Camaro needs to be filled. Do I see a Chevy Trax or Bolt EV Vibe Edition on the horizon?
The Trax already drives extremely well, as I kept repeating in my first drive review:
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2023/05/all-new-2024-chevy-trax-first-drive-review-legitimately-good/
The only thing that would make it even more “exciting” to drive is a more powerful engine.
Bring back Oldsmobile with an electric 442