@alex: You’re begging the question. As I had told you before, I’ve read SEVERAL claims that Akerson said Pontiac won’t return on his watch. I’ve ALSO read that as a result, Pontiac loyalists have called for his removal. Now, have YOU any evidence that Akerson DIDN’T take the aforementioned position? How do YOU know he never took that position? There’s nothing “ludicrous” about it at all; it’s a pretty serious charge. Also, why would Pontiac loyalists make that up? What would they gain from it? If you can PROVE that Akerson DIDN’T assume such a position regarding Pontiac, I’d be happy to see the proof. Since the charge HAS been made, you can now no more assume that he DIDN’T take that position, than I can that he DID. The charge HAS been MADE; if you dispute it, provide evidence that it’s false. Personally, I have nothing against Akerson. In fact, I hope the charge ISN’T true.
I think it’s ridiculous to say that a brand that was #3 at GM, was possibly the most popular American brand in Canada, and has such a large following, “isn’t viable.” For God’s sake, why do you think there are so many Pontiac websites and threads? Google “Bring Back Pontiac”. Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps the Great Recession had something to do with Pontiac’s murder? And, the last sentence of your second paragraph is something of a contradiction in terms. If a car brand has a large following, it probably SHOULDN’T be dropped, except for extenuating circumstances. The extenuating circumstance was the Great Recession, which ENDED THREE YEARS AGO. At present, the only reason I can see that GM might not consider reviving Pontiac right-away is that GM is having problems in Europe. Once THAT clears-up, GM ought to take advantage of Pontiac’s large following in the US and Canada, and revive Pontiac. I think it would also be a tremendous PR coup.
I never suggested that GM had a “deep-rooted hatred” for Pontiac. Why would it? Why would an automaker have a deep-rooted hatred for one of its own brands? That was never an issue.
Finally, don’t you worry that I might “not be able to resist the ‘switch’ for long” to Chevy or any other GM brand. Unless GM revives Pontiac, hell will freeze-over before I purchase a new GM vehicle, “world’s best” or not. For decades, I’d been loyally purchasing only Pontiacs because I like the brand, and its products have served me well. Then GM kicks the brand into the gutter. I’ll be darned if GM is going to smell any of MY business (again, unless Pontiac is revived).
