Pontiac To Kill RWD G8 After Current Generation

[antonio31]

I got the article off of a website while surfing the net. I don't know if any of this is true.

Edmunds Inside Line is reporting sources inside GM have confirmed the rear-drive Pontiac G8 will fade into memory at the end of the current model's production run. If true, the previously announced elimination of the Solstice and the disappearance of a RWD G8 would leave GM's performance brand without a rear-drive vehicle in about five years' time. Of course, what could change in that five years? Just about everything. Let's take a look at the possibilities.

Another glut of cheap gasoline, a marked change in GM's fortunes (like winning the lotto — in all 50 states) or a management shakeup could rapidly result in a wave of new rear-wheel-drive Pontiacs, including a next-gen G8. Those are the least-likely options, however. In the short term, don't discount the effect a Chrysler purchase might have on the Pontiac brand; GM could decide Dodge has more performance credibility than Pontiac — and we wouldn't necessarily argue — resulting in the Excitement Division getting dumped for Dodge. Crazy talk, but these are crazy times. [Edmunds Inside Line]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=134167

[bobyoung]

Let's hope it's not true, and 5 years is a long time anyway, lots of things can happen in 5 years. Maybe we can sway them a little by submitting a myth to GM FACTS AND FICTION:

http://gmfactsandfiction.com/

[Crazy Paul]

Misleading thread title IMO......not your fault, it's posted the same way on every car website.

The title makes it sound as if Pontiac has suddenly decided to end the G8 as we all know it.

The facts are.
The car began life as a VE model Commodore, first available to buy in Australia in 2006.
Pontiac did not commit to wanting a left hand drive version (G8) of this V Car or Zeta base until they had actually driven a VE road car. So it was well into the program before Pontiac was finally on board, you all know just how much longer it was until the G8 was in your showrooms.

The initial press release February 8, 2007 states:
"Holden boss Denny Mooney announced North American export plans for the Australian-made VE Commodore as part of a deal General Motors' Pontiac brand that is said to be worth as much as $1 billion annually to Australia's largest automotive manufacturer.

Mooney said the deal will last "for the life cycle of the car," rumoured to be around 6 years, but he would not be drawn on volume or the value to the company of this export program.

Bob Lutz, the GM vice chairman for product told drive.com.au at the Detroit show earlier this year that annual volumes of 30,000 to 50,000 were possible."


So in reality the complete V Car or Zeta range (VE Commodore,G8,new Camaro???) will cease production, as planned all along, in around 2012. That really has nothing to do with Pontiac "killing" anything.

[todds87ss]

IMO it has more to do with the new CAFE requirements in effect starting 2012. With 24MPG hwy, the G8 won't cut it (in a large production run). Part of the reason Mustang goes all V6 by then.
We will see just what the future holds for our beloved and highly anticipated Z28...

[Bob.au]

I think Edmunds is smoking some of the best crack known to man.

Great post HSV-GTS-300!

[bobyoung]

IMO it has more to do with the new CAFE requirements in effect starting 2012. With 24MPG hwy, the G8 won't cut it (in a large production run). Part of the reason Mustang goes all V6 by then.
We will see just what the future holds for our beloved and highly anticipated Z28...

V6??

[Toreadorranger]

V6??

It it will most likely be the 3.5 Ecoboost turbo motor

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/06/d...ect-injection/

[-Ray-]

I know quite a bit about that motor. The next motor in that line up will be the tIVCT. Twin independent variable cam timing.
GTDI is built in Cleveland.

[nosbusa1500]

There are talks about GM killing Pontiac, Saab, and Saturn in order to receive bailout money.

Stay Tuned.

[DollarBill]

Im sure the G8 is going down because the rest of the lineup are going down with it.