This will be fun.
“This is a PONTIAC site, not a SAAB site.”
No, this isn’t even a ‘Pontiac site”, as I’m sure a quick glance at the URL will tell you otherwise.
“SAAB wasn’t a traditional American GM brand”
So what is a ‘traditional American GM brand’ anyway? Was Pontiac anything you’d call ‘traditional’ like that in the last 30 years? Heck, wasn’t Pontiac just the afterthough tacked onto the more traditional Oakland brand if you’re going to be pedantic.
As I’ve said time and time again on GMA, ‘tradition’ means anything you’ve done more than once…such as a bowel movement or talking smack in online gaming.
Futhermore, so what if Pontiac was American and Saab was Swedish. You’re not trying to be xenophobic by suggesting that because Saab was Swedish that it was worth less to GM than Pontiac was, are you?
“So there are more SAAB loyalists than there are Pontiac loyalists; I really don’t care.”
Numbers are scary, especally when they aren’t in your favour.
“Therefore, your mention of SAAB is actually irrelevant to a GM website, and to this thread in particular.”
Incorrect. It doesn’t matter if Saab is no longer tied to GM via intellectual property. The HISTORICAL fact that GM once owned Saab is more than enough reason to include it in this discussion, and even this website.
Also, you Moanalua, cannot ever dictate what car brands are mentioned in this thread or even this entire site; it is not a decision you are in authority to make, ever.
I won’t let your announce that “Saab cannot be mentioned in this thread because I say so”; the very fact that history of GM and Saab crossed paths at one point can never be erased from history or this thread no matter how hard you try or wish it to be otherwise.
“you said Pontiac’s figures of 20 to 30 years ago tell nothing of sales that might occur next year. That argument cuts both ways. If Pontiac were still around, its sales might have been higher next year than YOU seem to suggest.”
And that’s the real problem with this thread; standing by sales stats of 30 years ago when the gas was cheap….versus the G3, G5, and SV6’s sitting on a used lot because they were what Pontiac sold more of.
The G8 and Solstice might have made sense 30 years ago, but as consumer demands changed and the price of gas climbed, where was Pontiac to go? What was it to do? What was it going to become of the brand that Chevrolet wasn’t already doing? Why would GM waste the money making “Two Chevrolets”?
The only way GM could have kept Pontiac around after the 80’s was to make them a Chevrolet clone. The message should have been clear when the Trans Sport first rolled out.
But hey, at least GM followed consumer demand with the Trans Sport. The last thing Pontiac needed then was a V8 powered full size coupe….something some people call a “traditional American car” and what other people nowadays call “unsellable”.
“Shifting comsumer base? That occurs all the time. Who knows how it will shift next year?”
Likely futher away from some would call the ideal traditional Pontiac. I mean nobody thinks fuel efficient subcompact and city cars when you mention Pontiac; probably for the better anyway as Pontiac loyalist would bemoan a reborn Sonic-based G3 because it doesn’t have RWD and 300hp.
Finally, if all my arguments don’t move you, may I remind you that a summary of all you’ve typed for the last year was “GM better do what I say and uphold tradition or I’ll hold my breath”.
Heck, we can do this again for another year. We’ll see what becomes of Saab and Pontiac and any other brands that can’t hack it. I’m not worried as I feel GM made the best decision in both cases and that everything is right in the universe.
The same universe you live in too, by the way.
