General Motors today announced pricing for its new Pontiac G3 subcompact, which is headed for U.S. dealers this March. In June, we reported that the G3 had been quietly approved by the EPA, and the official announcement of availability came in September. Essentially the same as the Chevrolet Aveo-based Pontiac Wave sold in Canada, Pontiac hopes that the G3 will bring in fuel economy-conscious buyers.
The G3 will start at $14,995 — a figure that includes $660 delivery. The price point puts it less than $500 below the larger albeit marginally less-efficient Vibe, which starts at $15,400.
Aside from unique front and rear fascias, the G3 appears to be identical to the refreshed 2009 Aveo. Engineered in Korea by GM Daewoo, the Aveo/G3 is sold worldwide under a variety of names ranging from Daewoo Gentra to Holden Barina. G3s headed for the U.S. will eventually be assembled at GM’s new San Luis PotosÃ, Mexico, assembly plant. GM currently markets the G3 in Mexico, but only as a four-door sedan. The G3 will initially be launched as a five-door hatchback similar to the Aveo5.
Equipped with a 106-horsepower 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine, the G3 will achieve 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, according to Pontiac. A five-speed manual will be standard with a four-speed automatic optional. Pontiac says that air conditioning, a CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary input jack, fog lamps, rear spoiler, OnStar, and seat-mounted side-impact airbags will be standard across the range.
11/18, 4:42 PM
posted by:
Borat
Well lets hope Pontiac will achieve that high mileage, Aveo did not manage pass 20 on mostly highway driving. But then again, this is excitement!
11/18, 5:41 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Great, badge engineering. Is this GM’s plan to save itself from bankrupcy?
11/18, 6:02 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
This isn’t a result of the current financial crisis. It’s simply a way to get people to come into Pontiac dealerships. More choice to the people, although I would like to see Pontiac modestly go back to RWD. Small sedan/coupe would be good enough for me, with good performance and sharp looks.
G3 and Aveo are sharp little cars, but no doubt they are still using some outdated technology. 4 speed? Now they can’t do much about it, should have done something earlier…
11/18, 6:29 PM
posted by:
oldraven
I’d buy it before I bought an Aveo. Chevy will be fine with the Volt, if Aveo sales tank due to this, I think….. if they survive until late 2009.
11/18, 6:56 PM
posted by:
elviososa
ahhhh…the aveo’s cousin
11/18, 7:09 PM
posted by:
pzimet
Damn…this is such a gay car.
Lets see…the G5 totally blows, is a horrible badge job, and is a failure. The G6 totally blows, and only sells with heavy, heavy incentives or to fleets. The Torrent totally blows, is a horrible badge job, and is a failure.
It is a fact that this piece of ****t is going to follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned vehicles. Pontiac=excitement, right? Nah, it probably means a garbage re-badged Korean economy car.
11/18, 7:25 PM
posted by:
canadian_car
Ya and in Canada this is the Suzuki swift for less money and same package!!
11/18, 8:04 PM
posted by:
Kaizen
You see…this is PARTLY what got GM into their predicament. They have too many brands and too many dealers serving ONE brand. Therefore, when Chevy gets a product, the other dealers of other brands say that they want something similar to sell. What that effectively does is increase the development costs of the car, dilutes overall sales, dilutes brand equity and floods the market with cars people really don’t care for.
Someone needs to pluck Rick Wagoner out of his 9 figure income, give me 10% of it and make me CEO.
11/18, 8:49 PM
posted by:
bigdawg
Pontiacs are nothing more than gussied up Chevrolets for stupid people. GM should have priced this thing at $9.995.00 with NO discounts than at $14.995.00 because the dealers will discount them anyway.
GM could of at least given the 3 door version of this car exclusively to Pontiac. Don’t get me wrong I like GGeneral Motors products, but there are some real dumb asses running the show at that company & th they need to go ASAP.
11/18, 9:12 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
OMG what is wrong with GM? They bring in a stupid Daewoo badge job to give Buick/Pontiac/GMC dealers something to sell under $15,000, and they price it just $800 less than the larger (and far superior) Toyota-based Vibe? And why the 5-door only? The sedan is the Aveo that actually sells!
Nissan has the right idea decontenting its Versa to bring it under $10,000, and offering it as a sedan!
11/18, 9:13 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
Sorry, just $500 less! That’s even stupider!
11/18, 9:50 PM
posted by:
TomF
Now the excitement really begins. Pedal faster.
11/18, 10:59 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
But…but…it just looks sooo happy! How can you not love a face like that? Look…it’s smiling at me! What colors does it come in?
Oh… is there a tampon dispenser in the woman’s washroom?
11/19, 10:00 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
*cough Aveo…*cough gay!
11/19, 11:09 AM
posted by:
murphy1
what a great day in pontiac history! the little sporty 4 door ive always dreamed of is here…….gag……as ive said before, there is no pontiac, therefore the excitment really is gone. until gm changes its philosphy, and its top execs, this brand is to sell cars only. separate chevy (gm1) from the other divisions (gm2) and bring back a purpose to the company….
11/20, 3:14 AM
posted by:
cereal
*gag*
Well, there goes that.
-eat your cereal