First off @ yabadabadoo. I think making four separate forum discussions asking to stop discussion of Pontiac is having the opposite effect. 😉
@ Alex. That sucks to hear about the Zeta uncertainty. Any word if a new RWD layout is in the cards for a sedan?
@ PontiacRulz. I hope you’re not considering avoiding GM vehicles based on the decisions of corporate executives. Personally, I look at it this way. Who was the CEO in charge when Pontiac was shutdown? Fritz Henderson. He’s not with GM anymore. Looking at it more broadly – who is most responsible for the demise of Pontiac? IMHO, it was James McDonald, who was CEO from ’81 to ’87. Even before becoming CEO, he pushed/forced the idea of badge engineering upon GM. He took sharing components too far until he destroyed brand identity. (The horrible body cladding also began during his tenure.) THAT, in my opinion, is what killed Pontiac. The hit that BOP took severely hampered their marketability. GM buried Olds & Pontiac and focused on Buick because the profit margin was there for Buick. If Pontiac could have commanded a good profit margin, they would still be with us, but the damage inflicted by James McDonald was long lasting and far reaching in hurting the reputation Pontiac had established. That’s one side of it.
Here is another side on why I am still giving GM a chance. Where are the people who DESIGNED and BUILT the Pontiacs you loved? As far as your 2000 GP and your grandfather’s ’04 GTP, I am guessing that many of the people involved in the styling, engineering and manufacturing are still with GM. From my understanding, there weren’t many layoffs when Pontiac was buried. I can only guess that they were absorbed into Chevy and Buick. Personally, I’m looking for the passion and spirit of Pontiac to be carried on through those people into some Chevy (and Buick) designs – even if the name is not there. That’s just my personal feelings on that. I haven’t decided what I’ll replace my 2001 GP with yet, but I’ll be looking to GM first, then to Ford and possibly Dodge (if they demonstrate improved build quality and customer service.) Whatever you choose, I hope you don’t base your choice on trying to punish someone who isn’t with GM any longer.
