From muscle cars to minivans and SUVs, the announcement that General Motors would phase out the Pontiac brand means the end of a historic line. "It is a shock,” says local dealer Jon Burdick. “It's still the second best selling car that GM has and to eliminate their second best selling line comes as a shock."
Some economists say the old business quote, "as goes GM, so goes the United States," may not hold the weight it once did.
“GM still is profitable in India, China and Russia where as, it is not profitable in the U.S," says Le Moyne college economics professor Harjit Arora.
Auto experts say it was clear GM was going to close either the Pontiac or Buick brand. Pontiac is stronger in the United States but Buick dominates it in international sales.
Dealers say current Pontiac owners don’t have anything to worry about. They note that GM shuttered the Oldsmobile line ten years ago but still honored warranties, serviced vehicles and produced parts. Jon Burdick and the staff at the Clay dealership say they aren’t going anywhere. "We have the training, we have the tools, we have the parts, we'll still be able to service anybody's Pontiac,” says Burdick. “Even if it gets to the point where we're not selling them anymore, we'll still service them."
GM says the Pontiac brand will be phased out by the end of 2010 at the latest.
