Lori Queen says the Pursuit isn't coming stateside

[Northstar]

In the new Autonews, there is a little blurb about a small Pontiac: "Does General Motors' Pontiac division need a small, entry-level car in the United States? Marketing Director Mark-Hans Richer says an entry-level small car is a 'top candidate' on Pontiac execs' wish list. But GM's vehicle line executive for small cars, Lori Queen, says, 'We're not working on that for Pontiac.' Pontiac is well-served by having the Vibe hatchback as an entry-level vehile, rather than entering the crowded small-car segment, she says. Pontiac offers a small entry-level car in Canada called the Pursuit. But Queen says the Pursuit is unique to Canada."

[AAS]

but she didn't rule out the G4 from Mexico :lol:

[turbo200]

YES! I am almost 85% sure this means Pontiac is fighting for something unique and "Pontiac" that could elevate its image as opposed to another Cobalt clone. Which is great imo... Edited September 8, 2005 by turbo200

[I hope GMRULES again]

Glad to see there won't be a Cobalt clone in the U.S. Pontiac dealers in Canada needed the Pursuit to be competitive in that category and I think U.S. dealers could benefit from a sporty compact other than the Vibe. Sunfire did sell 40k last year so those sales are pretty much gone now.

[99camaroSS]

if they do give pontiac a small little entry level car... it damn well better A. look sporty and B. be the quickest and most powerful in its class. otherwise its just another car and thats not what gm's performance division should be dealing with

[BlkHhr104]

Actually the G4 looks different enless that preproduction so maybe we will be getting the G4

[w00t_man]

Thank God. That would've only started the watering down of Pontiac again. so what does this G4 look like...just the Pursuit under a different name? any pictures?

[Cory Wolfe]

This is great that the Pursuit isn't coming here... But there better be a compact coming. I don't want a Vibe either... A coupe. FWD or RWD... It doesn't matter, but Pontiac needs it and it has to be sporty and pack a punch. Otherwise, that new Honda Civic Si is looking pretty good to me....

[Chicagoland]

Actually should read: Loss of 40K money losing cars to high risk creditors. Pontiac should not compete with Chevy. It's not 1971, where B-O-P dealers demand badge engineered Novas or Vegas and steal Chevy customers. Aftetr they do, then there are no new Chvy customers. The old "I want a B-O-P since it is a better brand" doesn't cut it now with a majority of the parts shared. Pontiac should offer car with some value, and not just cheap knock offs.

[Flybrian]

Is it the Pursuit that you people think is bad for Pontiac or the Delta platform? The loss of the Sunfire is 40k sales Pontiac's not seeing, and a Pusuit could easily get those back.

[post="11610"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

You know, I don't think anyone bought the Sunfire because it was a Pontiac; they bought it because it looked better to them than a Cavalier.

Importing the Pursuit as is does nothing for US Pontiac's image. It'll be a waste of time.

[ToniCipriani]

You know, I don't think anyone bought the Sunfire because it was a Pontiac; they bought it because it looked better to them than a Cavalier.

Importing the Pursuit as is does nothing for US Pontiac's image. It'll be a waste of time.

[post="11621"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

It's not importing. It's local consuming it. It's build in Lordstown, OH. :P

But anyways, I hope when this new compact Pontiac hits the shelves, it mean the doom for the Pursuit.

[regfootball]

Is it the Pursuit that you people think is bad for Pontiac or the Delta platform? The loss of the Sunfire is 40k sales Pontiac's not seeing, and a Pusuit could easily get those back.

[post="11610"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Queen says no Pursuit, but its easy enough to just call it a G4......I agree, Pontiac owuld regain those sunfire sales with a G4 or similar.

[Guest Josh]

Pontiac should offer car with some value, and not just cheap knock offs.

[post="11617"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

It's not so much about value anymore as it is "difference." Just take a look at the Hummer brand. You could get the same vehicle from Jeep for probably a lesser price than the H3 is. However, the H3 is "different" in terms of styling, functionality, etc.

Todays market is not dominated by "value" it is instead dominated by DIFFERENCE in terms of styling, etc.

The Aveo is doing well because of its value, however it is not doing as well as the Honda.

Because while the Honda does lack styling, it has more "difference" than the Aveo.

I hope you understand where I'm coming from.

[regfootball]

It's not so much about value anymore as it is "difference." Just take a look at the Hummer brand. You could get the same vehicle from Jeep for probably a lesser price than the H3 is. However, the H3 is "different" in terms of styling, functionality, etc.

Todays market is not dominated by "value" it is instead dominated by DIFFERENCE in terms of styling, etc.

The Aveo is doing well because of its value, however it is not doing as well as the Honda.

Because while the Honda does lack styling, it has more "difference" than the Aveo.

I hope you understand where I'm coming from.

[post="11677"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

great post.

I think a 'G4' would differentiate itself nicely with a Stage 2 ecotec, 6 speed manual, distinct charcoal interior and killer seats. 18's...too.

Pontiac should make the Ecotec an option on the vibe. i know its had to do being a toyota and all, but a 2.4 ecotec in the vibe would be so much more attractive than the torqueless beeoch in the vibe right now.

[Newbiewar]

why not replace the vibe with something off of the HHR platform

[ToniCipriani]

The HHR is Delta. That's what the Pursuit is on right now.

[Clownzilla]

With being employed at a Pontiac, GMC, Cadillac, SAAB dealership, we have been kicked out of the compact car segment with the loss of the Sunfire. It did sell, and we need a replacment. The Vibe is great but (lets face it) is not performance. The Sunfire wasn't either, but it's time for Pontiac to take a step towards compact performance. I know people will get angery for me saying this but GM needs to really use Daewoo as a design/production resource a lot more. A Pontiac made by Daewoo? If you give them the time and resources I think they can develop a GREAT inexpensive + peppy + compact vehicle. People do buy Chevy Aveos, and I think they will buy a Pontiac ?????????. I know the Aveo is a totally diffrerent market, but I think it shows that Daewoo CAN develop competative compact vehicles for the USA.

[Cory Wolfe]

Well... I don't like the idea of a Dae-Ponti-woo, but you are right. Daewoo is making better vehicles than GM NA. Sad, but true.

[ToniCipriani]

LeMans.

[Northstar]

The loss of the Sunfire is no big deal. I'm guess at least half of them went to fleets, meaning GM probably sold no more than 20k/year to consumers, and even those were heavily discounted. I really doubt GM is going to lose any sales by not brining the Pursuit here, because it's simply a Cobalt. If you want a performance compact, the Cobalt SS/SC is waiting for you. Something like a cheap 3-Series would appeal to a totally different market and far fewer sales would be lost to the Cobalt or vice versa.

[LosAngeles]

LeMans.

[post="11829"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

But that began as the Vauxhall Astra/Opel Kadett, with European engines and everything (it was simply all assembled in Korea), so that doesn't count in my mind....it was basically the third-gen T-car.

I personally think Pontiac should get the Astra hatches again (leave the convertible for Chevy as a Cobalt vert)....but if that doesn't happen, I don't mind using the Lacetti/Forenza, but with Ecotecs instead.

[ToniCipriani]

I don't mind using the Lacetti/Forenza, but with Ecotecs instead.

[post="11864"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

You give me the chills. A Pontiac Optra is NOT what Pontiac needs.

[LosAngeles]

If it's good enough to be in a touring car racing series, it's good enough to be in Pontiac's lineup. Of course my preference is the Astra hatch.

[Cory Wolfe]

If you want a performance compact, the Cobalt SS/SC is waiting for you.

Pontiac should not compete with Chevy.

What if I don't want a Chevy...? Go somewhere other than GM? Chevy isn't supposed to be the performance brand in the first place. The fact that it has that, the Corvette, and a trim dedicated to performance on many vehicles... All of which Pontiac doesn't have... is sad. Chevy tries to be everything to everybody... So saying another brand shouldn't get a certain car because of Chevy is f**king retarded, IMO. In this analogy... there goes the whole GMC lineup. The whole Buick lineup would be gone because of Cadillac. Etc. Etc... :rolleyes:

Look, Pontiac needs a compact. It has to be profitable. Sorry... but I don't see RWD platform that is cheap enough and flexible enough to where it can be that. Developing a new one will take time and money... Two things that GM doesn't have much of.

I'm not saying bring the Pursuit here, I'm saying give Pontiac a performance oriented vehicle off of Delta that would... In essense... replace the Sunfire and the Vibe. It's cheaper and more profitable than any existing RWD platform and wouldn't take as long as developing a whole new one. It's simple.

[LosAngeles]

Astra can replace Sunfire no problem, but in a new truly high-performance Pontiac world, the Vibe would have to just die, since it's simply doesn't fit (as much as I like the car myself)

[Flybrian]

I'd love for Vibe to be replaced by an authentic GM vehicle, i.e. one with a better engine and better reliability than the current one. Seriously, I really liked the idea of a smallish wagon so much so I considered one back in the day, but the waste-of-time 1.8l holds it back so much.

[daves87rs]

I thought with the Vibe's updating in the next year or so, the trim levels were going to be changed, with a value/loaded/GT model line. More would be standard, and the price would mirror the HHR as far as priced was concerned. I know the Corolla gets a bunch stanard of its update, such I expect the Vibe will benefit from that... so you should be able to get a nice Vibe for around 16 grand, or about 15 or so with ED.....

[regfootball]

I thought with the Vibe's updating in the next year or so, the trim levels were going
to be changed, with a value/loaded/GT model line. More would be standard,
and the price would mirror the HHR as far as priced was concerned.

I know the Corolla gets a bunch stanard of its update, such I expect the Vibe
will benefit from that...

so you should be able to get a nice Vibe for around 16 grand, or about 15
or so with ED.....

[post="12100"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

ED? isn't that a term from Viagra ads?

[AAS]

so what does this G4 look like...just the Pursuit under a different name?  any pictures?

[post="11581"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I think it looks exactly the same. Pontiac G4

[bcjohnso99]

I think it looks exactly the same.  Pontiac G4

[post="12214"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Yep. I live in Canada and see Pursuits all the time - The G4 is the same car.

By the way, I own a Cobalt and let me tell you, there are waaaay more Pursuits on the road in my areas than Cobalts. I wonder if Pontiac gets more looks from non-GM customers than Chevy does...

[LosAngeles]

GM IS Chevy to the average mind, so I can see where one can think that way....

[turbo200]

ummm....I don't know that Pontiac even gets looks anymore. It's image is very very bad right now and thier designs are getting tired. Chevy isn't much better, but it seems they have it easier with getting new product.