Pontiac Sunfire to be discontinued in June

Vintalage · 01-26-2005, 10:04 PM

Quote:

DETROIT - General Motors will kill the Pontiac Sunfire in June, which could leave Pontiac without an entry-level car for two years or longer.

Pontiac-GMC Marketing General Manager Jim Bunnell says there is no plan to replace the Sunfire. The automaker is looking at several options, including an import priced below the Vibe.

"There is nothing planned in the foreseeable future, in the next 18 to 24 months" to replace the Sunfire, Bunnell says. "It will be some time after that if we were to figure out something that would make sense for us."

He says GM is "just laying out options," including the possibility of an import. "We are going to look at the entire portfolio within GM," he says, "including our opportunities overseas."

Pontiac has declined to sell a U.S. sister car to the Chevrolet Cobalt, which is built on the Delta front-drive, small-car architecture. It does sell a Cobalt sibling, the Pursuit, in Canada. The Sunfire uses the same platform as the old Chevrolet Cavalier.

If GM adds a vehicle, Bunnell says, it would have to reflect the Pontiac brand in performance and content: "We are not interested in badge engineering."

Bunnell says there is debate within GM as to whether Pontiac needs a vehicle priced below the Vibe. GM likely will weigh Vibe sales for 2005 and part of 2006 before deciding.

Pontiac sold 58,894 Vibes in 2004, up 3.5 percent from 2003. That vehicle and a sister vehicle, the Toyota Matrix, are assembled by NUMMI, a GM-Toyota partnership in Fremont, Calif.

The base Vibe costs $17,690, including destination.

Pontiac sold 36,095 Sunfires in 2004, a 17.2 percent drop from 2003. The base 2005 Sunfire coupe costs $11,460 including transportation. A Sunfire sedan is not offered.

- Rick Kranz
- Autoweek

Irate · 01-27-2005, 06:53 AM

Quote:

If GM adds a vehicle, Bunnell says, it would have to reflect the Pontiac brand in performance and content: "We are not interested in badge engineering."

hahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahah ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

1HOTGT · 01-27-2005, 08:09 AM

a lot of us have known this for quite some time!!

Mike3800 · 01-27-2005, 09:06 AM

FYI... Cavalier is being discontinued as well.

GAGTSCTGuy · 01-27-2005, 09:18 AM

Sounds like someone forgot to tell AutoWeek

sc02grandam · 01-27-2005, 11:05 AM

they should sell the pursuit.. i think it looks better than the cobalt

Vintalage · 01-27-2005, 01:01 PM

Who here knew the sunfire was being discontinued and when?

SC/TGrandAm · 01-27-2005, 01:30 PM

I didnt know it was being discontinued.

The 2 individuals that are being a pain in the ass both frequent a cavalier or sunfire forum... therefore hear all about that 'cool' car before we do.

Mike3800 · 01-27-2005, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC/TGrandAm

The 2 individuals that are being a pain in the ass both frequent a cavalier or sunfire forum...

Why would you frequent a Cavalier or Sunfire forum?

Who's the other pain in the ass besides you?

I thought everyone knew the sunfire and Cavalier were gone. Hell... I knew that probbaby a year ago if not earlier.

Ever hear of the... "Cobalt" ??? OK... since this is new for you... The Cobalt is on the same platform as the Saturn ION, it will take the Cavalier's place. In Canada, the Sunfire is being replaced by the "Pursuit" on the same platform as the Cobalt, so far there are no plans to bring the Pursuit here. Logic would dictate that if the platform is dead... so are the cars on the dead platform.

Funny I read all of that info here. Never read it on a J-body forum... but then, I don't frequent J-body forums nearly as much as here.

FYI Vint... I know you know I don't care and am not being a "pain in the ass" to you. It's all good.

I for one am glad you are on here, you post most of the newest most interesting topics in this section...

crazypontiac03 · 01-27-2005, 06:12 PM

we all knew that was coming with the cobalt coming out after all they are the same Car.

SpyhunteR · 01-27-2005, 06:13 PM

I traverse the j-body org forums!!!!!!! *raises hand*

TJ95GAGT · 01-27-2005, 06:17 PM

If GM adds a vehicle, Bunnell says, it would have to reflect the Pontiac brand in performance and content: "We are not interested in badge engineering."

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrateWS6

hahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahah ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

my thoughts exactly on that statement. Isnt that ALL thier known for.

AznGA · 01-27-2005, 06:17 PM

I didn't know Pontiac is killing the Sunfire.

onesexyga · 01-27-2005, 06:55 PM

I thought it was going to be replaced by the G4. I had heard they were dropping the Sunfire, Grand Am, Bonneville, for the G4, 6, and 8. I also assumed it would be on the Cobalt platform.

bigbenSC · 01-27-2005, 06:57 PM

Goodbye Sunfire, you won't be missed by me. Don't be so hard on GM for badge engineering. We can look to Ford for that. Every car that Mercury has sold was just a rebadged Ford. At least GM has done a little to differentiate it's twin cars recently. The Malibu/G6/93 look nothing alike. The old Malibu/Alero/Grand Am were all diferent in their own right (interiors, suspension tuning, engines). If you look at a Ford 500 or Mercury Montego it is easy to see that they are the exact same car! The same can be said for Ford's minivans and SUV's. The Japanese do a great job of taking the same car and making it different. At Honda the Accord and TL are very different, yet the same. It would be a surprise to me if Pontiac sells a version of the Cobalt with nothing changed than the logo on the front.

Mike3800 · 01-27-2005, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbengt67

Don't be so hard on GM for badge engineering.

onesexyga · 01-27-2005, 08:17 PM

Suvs dont count.

GrahamKracka · 01-27-2005, 08:42 PM

yes they do

Vintalage · 01-27-2005, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onesexyga

Suvs dont count.

Of course they do. Don't be silly.

onesexyga · 01-27-2005, 09:24 PM

really should have included this in my post. Would have been much more clear>

01-27-2005, 08:09 AM	#3
1HOTGT Full Throttle Member AKA: Emily Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Huber Heights, Ohio Age: 42 Posts: 167 Vehicle: 2003 Grand Am GT Sedan	a lot of us have known this for quite some time!! __________________ Visit Our Site: Full Throttle Motorsports!

01-27-2005, 09:06 AM	#4
Mike3800 GAGT - Junkie AKA: Michael Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northglenn, CO USA Age: 49 Posts: 3,394 Vehicle: 2015 Chrysler 200S AWD	FYI... Cavalier is being discontinued as well. __________________ -Mike

01-27-2005, 09:18 AM	#5
GAGTSCTGuy GAGT - Senior Member AKA: Phil Join Date: May 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Age: 41 Posts: 1,034 Vehicle: 04 GAGT SCT,99 Formula	Sounds like someone forgot to tell AutoWeek __________________ 2004 Grand Am GT SC/T --- Daily driver 1999 Firebird Formula --- Weekend toy 1998 Sunfire SE --- Wife's car N-Body

01-27-2005, 11:05 AM	#6
sc02grandam GAGT - Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edmonton/ Saskatoon, CANADA Age: 41 Posts: 920 Vehicle: 02 GT coupe.. SC	they should sell the pursuit.. i think it looks better than the cobalt __________________ my car click here to listen to the supercharger and exhaust

01-27-2005, 01:01 PM	#7
Vintalage Hey paisanos! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Maryland Age: 38 Posts: 5,490 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am GT1	Who here knew the sunfire was being discontinued and when? __________________ 2002 Grand Am GT1 Sedan - Black 7000K HID PICS [SOLD to Jscarano]

01-27-2005, 01:30 PM	#8
SC/TGrandAm Newbie AKA: Kyle Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI Age: 39 Posts: 2,944 Vehicle: 2008 Accord	I didnt know it was being discontinued. The 2 individuals that are being a pain in the ass both frequent a cavalier or sunfire forum... therefore hear all about that 'cool' car before we do. __________________ 2008 Accord EX-L Coupe 2002 GA SCT- R.I.P HID Pioneer http://www.myspace.com/Kleigou

01-27-2005, 06:12 PM	#10
crazypontiac03 MiDnIgHt AKA: Jason/Sparky Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: IL Age: 37 Posts: 3,019 Vehicle: 2008 HHR/05 Galant	we all knew that was coming with the cobalt coming out after all they are the same Car. __________________ Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if it wasn't for FORD's our tools would rust! "Unions were the rise and will be the fall of this Great Nation" "A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in... And how many want out." Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: 1. Jesus Christ 2. The American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. -Tony Blair

01-27-2005, 06:13 PM	#11
SpyhunteR #1 hater AKA: Rob Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Las Vegas Age: 38 Posts: 4,968 Vehicle: 01' 2.4T GA / 08 TBSS	I traverse the j-body org forums!!!!!!! raises hand __________________ Hey kids going to Vegas? Let me help you help me help you! Shoot me an email or PM for all your Vegas Night Club bottle hallucinations & strip club desires! FACEBOOKFACE! "Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car and oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you take the wall with you."

01-27-2005, 06:17 PM	#13
AznGA GAGT - Junkie AKA: YJ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Midwest Posts: 4,440 Vehicle: GAGT	I didn't know Pontiac is killing the Sunfire.

01-27-2005, 06:55 PM	#14
onesexyga onesexyfiero AKA: Kevin Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Vermont/New Hampshire Age: 35 Posts: 1,534 Vehicle: 00 GAGT, 88 Fiero GT	I thought it was going to be replaced by the G4. I had heard they were dropping the Sunfire, Grand Am, Bonneville, for the G4, 6, and 8. I also assumed it would be on the Cobalt platform.

01-27-2005, 06:57 PM	#15
bigbenSC SC and Loving It! AKA: Ben Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Age: 36 Posts: 1,772 Vehicle: 2005 SRT-6, 2001 GA GT	Goodbye Sunfire, you won't be missed by me. Don't be so hard on GM for badge engineering. We can look to Ford for that. Every car that Mercury has sold was just a rebadged Ford. At least GM has done a little to differentiate it's twin cars recently. The Malibu/G6/93 look nothing alike. The old Malibu/Alero/Grand Am were all diferent in their own right (interiors, suspension tuning, engines). If you look at a Ford 500 or Mercury Montego it is easy to see that they are the exact same car! The same can be said for Ford's minivans and SUV's. The Japanese do a great job of taking the same car and making it different. At Honda the Accord and TL are very different, yet the same. It would be a surprise to me if Pontiac sells a version of the Cobalt with nothing changed than the logo on the front.

01-27-2005, 08:17 PM	#17
onesexyga onesexyfiero AKA: Kevin Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Vermont/New Hampshire Age: 35 Posts: 1,534 Vehicle: 00 GAGT, 88 Fiero GT	Suvs dont count.

01-27-2005, 08:42 PM	#18
GrahamKracka WannaBe Fat Kid AKA: Richard Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Age: 36 Posts: 1,517 Vehicle: 2005 Nissan Titan	yes they do

01-27-2005, 09:24 PM	#20
onesexyga onesexyfiero AKA: Kevin Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Vermont/New Hampshire Age: 35 Posts: 1,534 Vehicle: 00 GAGT, 88 Fiero GT	really should have included this in my post. Would have been much more clear>

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