GM to cease Vibe production in August, ending public availability of Pontiac brand
06/18/2009, 4:38 PM
By Andrew Ganz
Though General Motors had announced last week that it planned to continue production of the Pontiac Vibe through the 2010 model year, the restructuring Detroit automaker now says that it has reached an agreement with Toyota to cease building the hatchbacks at the end of August 2009.
The Vibe was, unceremoniously, set to be the last Pontiac-badged vehicle available to consumers. The Vibe’s departure leaves only the G6 in production, which will be available solely to fleet users for the 2010 model year.
The Vibe was built at the GM-Toyota NUMMI joint-venture assembly plant in Fremont, California. It is expected that GM will continue to utilize the plant, though a release from the automaker says only that, ” GM and Toyota remain in active discussions regarding potential future production at NUMMI.”
Vibe was set to receive only a handful of updates for the 2010 model year. may
06/18, 4:53 PM
posted by:
Borat
That was a fast and brilliant decision. For years Vibe was the most reliable vehicle produced by “Big 3″ and today probably the most reliable car in GM stable.
06/18, 4:56 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I suppose a last run of ‘70 GTO Judge models is completely out of the question.
06/18, 5:01 PM
posted by:
carstuff
No, the LaCrosse has that place at GM.
The Vibe is actually 3rd in the Compact car segment. LaCrosse is #1 in the Midsize segment over Camry (which for the past 5 years or so did not place) and has the lowest PPH score at GM. Remember Buick is #1 for dependibility. The Lucerne places 2nd in Large car .
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2009043
I heard that the Vibe was only going to remain to be built due to contractual arrangements with Toyota. guess they worked that out.
06/18, 5:07 PM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
Bravo GM for waking up! This car finally gets the proper dismissal and death it deserves. It was very boring and uneventful. And to say the least, meaningless. This is one of the smartest moves they have made in the past few years.
06/18, 5:33 PM
posted by:
F50
Good riddance. but shame that the Pontiac brand is killed, it just has so much potential.
06/18, 5:38 PM
posted by:
TL
@F50
I couldn’t agree more.
It’s a pity to see cars like the G8 go out of production and now this happens….
06/18, 5:42 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Good riddance to Vibe and the mediocre mindset which it represents.
06/18, 5:43 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
This just means the the Toyota built small size truck replacement for the Colorado/Canyon is just that much farther along…
06/18, 6:26 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooowhatever.
I won’t miss the Vibe. I will miss other Pontiacs, though.
06/18, 7:37 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
Everybody get your 2009 Vibe, G3, and Solstice coupes now.. these one-year orphans are bound to be collectible someday.. though probably not in my lifetime!
06/18, 8:49 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
better git that G3 while the gittin’s good
06/18, 9:39 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
The last Pontiac should be a Solstice GXP coupe. Make a special ‘end of the brand’ run like Oldsmobile did with the Aurora. Go out with your balls between your legs Pontiac.
06/19, 5:25 AM
posted by:
AutoCritical
What a shame on all the money spent to start producing it, then to stop.. I guess they would have worked it out to cover costs, unless it was wrapped as part of CH11…
06/19, 8:57 AM
posted by:
A4
little typo at the end there? leavin me hangin?
06/19, 9:37 AM
posted by:
zfenderguy
Wouldn’t mind a Solstice GXP coupe with the 290 HP tune.
End the brand with the Vibe, huh? That’s sending a loud and clear message that you care nothing whatsoever for the heritage of the brand. A rebadged Corolla. WTF.
06/19, 10:30 AM
posted by:
TomF
Good little car. Should never have been positioned as a Pontiac though. How humiliating for everyone concerned.
06/19, 2:32 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
I have been seeing many G8’s around lately, probably due to them being cheap and the dealers trying to get rid of them. I like the styling they should have at least kept that car going until 2010
06/19, 5:01 PM
posted by:
injunraiv
If the Vibe is how Pontiac will be remembered, it can just die now. Remember the Solstice, G8, Firebird, GTO, Catalina, Grand Prix, Ventura, Bonneville, Tempest, Starchief, Le Mans, & others. Forget the G3, G5, G6, Vibe, Aztek, Torrent, SV6 & other nondescript toasters from the last few years.
RIP
06/19, 5:58 PM
posted by:
sharpie
Thanks to the Chinese, Pontiac is being killed, and Buick is still hanging around.
06/21, 5:30 PM
posted by:
Get Real
John Delorean rolled over in his grave too many times these past few months.
Pontiac dies with a Japanese built ugly little turd. So sad an ending.
Foolish GM, let it all wither and die.