After 18,000 submissions from fans as part of GM’s “Tame the Name” promotion for the forthcoming Pontiac G8 pickup model, the automaker has decided not to use any of them. Instead, GM says it will call the vehicle “G8 ST” — the same moniker that what was originally announced earlier this year as the “tentative” nameplate.
“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.”
“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.”
The G8 ST will be available in late 2009 as a 2010 model.
