Pontiac Announces New Small Car for U.S. Market
2nd October 2008 10:59 am Pontiac
Expanding its portfolio in the rapidly growing small car segment, Pontiac announced plans to bring the sporty, five-door hatchback G3 to U.S. showrooms early next year. When it arrives, the G3 will provide Pontiac with a total of four vehicles capable of more than 30 miles per gallon on the highway.
Already successful in Canada (as the Pontiac G3 Wave) and Mexico (as a sedan model), the G3 offers an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway while providing the best shoulder and hip room in the segment for seating five adults.
“The small car segment has literally exploded in recent months, with sales up nearly 33 percent in the first six months of 2008 alone,” said Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. “With its proven success in other markets, we felt the time was right to bring the G3 into the BPG portfolio for our U.S. customers.”
The 2009 G3 will join the all-new 2009 Vibe (32 mpg) and recently enhanced 2009 versions of the G6 sedan (33 mpg) and G5 coupe (37 mpg) in Pontiac’s “Over 30” club.
“More than ever, fuel economy is an important factor in Pontiac’s formula of style and performance,” said Docherty. “The Vibe, G3, G5, and G6 prove that you don’t have to sacrifice sporty design and responsive driving to achieve impressive fuel economy.”
Generating 106 horsepower (79 kW), the G3’s 1.6L Ecotec four-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission. It will also feature an unusually rich mix of standard features for an entry-level car, including air conditioning, a CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary input jack, fog lamps, rear spoiler, OnStar, and a host of standard safety features, including four airbags, that gain the G3 a five-star frontal crash rating.
Interior space is optimized to comfortably seat five adults, including “theater”-style seating for rear seat passengers. The rear seats also feature a 60/40 split to offer up to 42 cubic feet of cargo space.
The Pontiac G3 will arrive in U.S. showrooms in spring 2009 as a 2009 model and will be backed by GM’s five-year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. Pricing will be announced closer to introduction.
Pontiac Kicks-Off Pontiac Game Changing Performance Program
29th August 2008 8:14 pm Pontiac
With the kickoff of the 2008 college football season, Pontiac and NCAA ® Football will challenge fans nationwide to support their teams in its fifth year of Pontiac Game Changing Performance, the first and only fan-voted scholarship program. With nearly $200,000 in general scholarship contributions on the line, spectators can “get in the game” by voting on the Pontiac Game Changing Performance, which recognizes the play that had the biggest impact on the outcome of the game.
For 14 straight weeks, ESPN’s College GameDay Crew will determine the four “Pontiac Game Changing Performance” nominations.
“Through Pontiac Game Changing Performance, Pontiac continues to build a closer connection with college sports fans everywhere, providing the ultimate platform for fans to recognize their favorite teams and giving them a true stake in the outcome,” said Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN GameDay Analyst. “The power of this program has pushed Pontiac into the spotlight as a leader in college sports sponsorships.”
Every Sunday morning, beginning August 31, fans can go to pontiac.com/ncaa to help determine which school will earn a $5,000 general scholarship. The school that receives the most votes for that week will be announced during the Pontiac G6 Halftime Report on ESPN Thursday night games.
In addition, each week one lucky individual who visits pontiac.com/ncaa, will also win a $5,000 scholarship for them self or someone in their family.
In December, voters will determine which school wins the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year award and a $100,000 general scholarship contribution. Last year’s award was presented to Trinity University.
“The scholarship contribution by Pontiac will benefit countless Trinity students. The donation was placed in the university’s unrestricted endowed scholarship fund, which makes this a gift that keeps on giving and will impact Trinity students for years to come,” said Coach Steven Mohr, Head Coach of Trinity Football. “We are thankful to Pontiac for their contribution and support of educational opportunities for students across the country.”
Since the program’s inception in 2004, Pontiac, the Official Performance Machines of the NCAA ®, have contributed nearly $1.5 million to NCAA institutions.
“With the help of NCAA® Football and our broadcast partners, Pontiac is once again honored to play a role in enhancing the college athletic experience,” said Steve Rosenblum, Pontiac & GMC Advertising & Sales Promotion Director. “By allowing the fans to actively participate in the excitement of the game, Pontiac Game Changing Performance encourages schools and their fans to put their team on top, but the real winners are the students that directly benefit from the scholarship money.”
Pontiac Names Its New New Sport Truck The “G8 ST”
14th August 2008 5:22 pm Pontiac
After sifting through more than 18,000 possibilities, Pontiac has chosen to keep it simple, naming the recently revealed G8 sport truck the ” G8 ST.”
Thousands of fans submitted suggestions during a “Tame the Name” promotion, which delayed a final announcement until each possibility was considered and cleared for possible trademark use.
“Frankly, we were blown away by both the volume and quality of the names that were submitted,” said Craig Bierley, BPG product marketing director for cars and crossovers. “’ G8 ST’ was one of the most popular suggestions, plus we noticed a far broader trend toward simple, easy-to-remember names.”
“El Camino” was also a sentimental favorite, given the G8 ST’s resemblance to the classic Chevy.
“We actually thought very long about El Camino,” said Bierley. “In the end, we felt it was more appropriate to honor the El Camino’s unique place as part of Chevy’s heritage and not use that nameplate on a Pontiac.”
Perhaps the ultimate reflection of the blurring line between cars and trucks, the G8 ST will create a unique niche segment in the marketplace: a sports car with truck-like cargo and towing capabilities. Sharing the basic architecture and 361 hp V8 engine as the G8 GT performance sedan, it will offer a 73.9-inch cargo bed that has 42.7 cubic feet of cargo space and can carry a payload of 1,000 pounds (453 kg) or tow a 3,500-pound (1,587 kg) trailer.
Thanks to its six-speed automatic transmission and Active Fuel Management system, the G8 ST should offer some of the best fuel economy numbers for V8-powered vehicles with similar cargo/towing ratings while still turning in zero-to-60 times of 5.4 seconds.
The G8 ST will be available in late 2009 as a 2010 model and will be backed by GM’s industry best 100,000 mile, 5-year powertrain warranty. Pricing will be announced closer to availability.
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