CAFE rules could bring G3 subcompact from Pontiac to U.S. market
Despite already selling a version of the Toyota Matrix as the Pontiac Vibe, it seems that the coffers at General Motors may bring the Pontiac G3 to the U.S. market. Already sold to our neighbors up north, though known in Canada as the Wave, the G3 is a slightly revised Chevrolet Aveo, which is currently the cheapest vehicle the General offers for sale in the U.S. Oddly enough, the G3 would not post significantly better fuel economy figures than the already available Vibe, though it would undercut its slightly larger sibling by a few thousand dollars. While we can see the reasoning behind wanting as full a vehicle line-up as possible for dealers representing the Pontiac-Buick-GMC trifecta, the G3 seems to do little more than continue to water-down Pontiac's already shaky performance image.
As was previously reported, the Pontiac G3 was just recently approved for sale as a 2009 model by the EPA. According to Automotive News, though, some dealers and even some executives within GM itself were surprised by the decision to get the G3 certified for sale in the states. Sounds like we may not be the only ones who think that the G3 may be a bit too much brand-dilution.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
steven 4:23PM (6/02/2008)
So this is a different car than the 40MPG Delta-based compact that Chevy will be building in Lordstown.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20080602/ANA02/847106937/1176
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