GTO officially gone after 06

Braves299 · 02-21-2006, 12:39 PM

Gone for Now
Pontiac to drop GTO after '06 model year
By JAMIE LAREAU | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
12:59 pm, February 21, 2006

DETROIT -- General Motors has told Pontiac dealers that it will discontinue the GTO coupe at the end of this model year. GM will make the last deliveries of the vehicle to dealers by the end of September, sources close to Pontiac say.

GM will produce 10,000 to 12,000 more GTOs before dropping the nameplate, one source close to the situation says. Last year, Pontiac sold 11,590 GTOs compared to 2004 when it sold 13,569. That's a 14.6 percent drop.

When Pontiac launched the GTO in 2003, it projected 18,000 annual sales. The vehicle was criticized for bland styling, and some fans of the original GTO complained that it lacked nostalgic styling cues.

A Pontiac spokesman confirms the GTO will be discontinued after the 2006 model year.

“There are some changes in the federal regulatory standards. One is an airbag deployment standard that would require some very expensive re-engineering of the car,” says Jim Hopson, Pontiac spokesman. “Since the architecture of this car is being phased out around the world it’s not economically feasible to continue this car.”

Pontiac will continue to build the GTO through the end of May, Hopson says. The last “boatload will hit the ground in June”, he adds.

The GTO first came to dealerships in December 2003 as a 2004 model, Hopson says.

The GTO is built on a rear-wheel drive architecture from GM's Holden division in Australia. The present model is going out of production as GM constructs the new Zeta RWD architecture, says the source.

There is no replacement coupe planned at this time and because of the strong Australian and weak U.S. dollar, the GTO had to be priced thousands over where GM originally wanted it -- in the mid-twenties, the source says. "It never did as much volume as we had hoped," the source says.

Pontiac is considering a replacement in the lineup for a RWD performance vehicle, but does not have anything to announce yet, Hopson says.

The GTO suggested retail price starts at $31,990, including shipping. One GM source says, "the 2005 and 2006 were pretty well sold out, and sales were especially strong in areas of GM weakness, like Southern California. It's a shame it has to go -- for now."

.

Kdawg207 · 02-21-2006, 12:41 PM

GM is just Bipolar...must be

fukin retards

Braves299 · 02-21-2006, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kdawg207

GM is just Bipolar...must be

fukin retards

Seriously. Can't they just redesign the thing here in a America??? I don't understand why they'd kill it already.

Anyways.. with this gone, they have GOT to bring back the Camaro, or some other muscle car. I hope at least.

Kdawg207 · 02-21-2006, 12:49 PM

I guess this time in life its a good thing I have a company car....no pressure in buying...I can sit back and wait till something perfect for me rolls out

caraudiodave · 02-21-2006, 01:15 PM

well they had a few slight hints that theres a new GTO:

Quote:

...The present model is going out of production as GM constructs the new Zeta RWD architecture, says the source.

Quote:

Pontiac is considering a replacement in the lineup for a RWD performance vehicle, but does not have anything to announce yet, Hopson says.

no way they could have sold it for mid-twenties unless it had a v6. it would have undercut the vette too much.

nascarnate326 · 02-21-2006, 01:25 PM

Darn it. I liked the GTO. Now we will see camaro's everywhere. Just great.

DrFabulous · 02-21-2006, 03:11 PM

GregFarz78 · 02-21-2006, 03:12 PM

GM big wigs must have down syndrome...kill the only Pontiac thats worth a damn excellent decision

Just kill off the pontiac brand now all thats left is crap.

cavingman · 02-21-2006, 03:16 PM

but they have the new G5! :\

Pontiac Ninja · 02-21-2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braves299

they have GOT to bring back the Camaro, or some other muscle car. I hope at least.

They most certainly are. THe Camaro will be produced from everything I keep reading and hearing. Its the most complete and ready for production concept ever from GM. It will get the green light.

I also REALLY think we will see another rwd car to go with the Camaro soon after. Whether its a Firebird or something totally new, we'll have to wait and see. In addition as caraudiodave pointed out it hints at something else in the article!!

And oh yeah.......hate to say I told ya so

>A new firebird, much closer to REALITY!!! (posts 16-19)

But it is official now at least.

RedGrandTour · 02-21-2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kdawg207

GM is just Bipolar...must be

fukin retards

LoL, or maybe they're having a mid life crisis.

bigbenSC · 02-21-2006, 05:09 PM

I really enjoy driving my dad's '05, but the platform the car rides on is ancient and it lacks a lot of modern features. I'm sure a replacement of some sort will come along in the next 3 years or so.

Braves299 · 02-21-2006, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbengt67

I really enjoy driving my dad's '05, but the platform the car rides on is ancient and it lacks a lot of modern features. I'm sure a replacement of some sort will come along in the next 3 years or so.

The suspension components (Don't they still use leaf springs?) and design are ancient on the Corvette, yet it still performs great. That doesn't make it a bad car though.

nascarnate326 · 02-21-2006, 05:51 PM

I just like how GTO's arnt everywhere. I see more c6 vettes then GTO's. For some reason I like that. Ya, mine as well kill off Pontaic, migrate solstice to Opel, and hope to hell Chevy can beet the MazdaSpeed cars.

JohnnyB4439 · 02-21-2006, 06:19 PM

Yet again GM droppes the ball, they come out with cars that people "want" but do not make them the way the consumer wants them, and then wonders why they do not sell. Stop making cars they way you want and start making them the way the buyer wants!!

If GM comes out with the Camero and Challenger similiar to what ive seen in the pictures so far, thats a step in the right direction...

GregFarz78 · 02-21-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braves299

The suspension components (Don't they still use leaf springs?) and design are ancient on the Corvette, yet it still performs great. That doesn't make it a bad car though.

yep the c6 vette has leaf springs and pulls over 1g in a turn...outdated technology or not the GTO was the best car pontiac had to offer and probably the only GM car under 40k I'd consider buying

caraudiodave · 02-21-2006, 07:58 PM

1) GM was smart to get rid of the current GTO. it wasnt selling, the magazines were trashing it (mainly for its style, or lack there of), and the platform didnt meet the US safety requirements.

Quote:

...and hope to hell Chevy can beet the MazdaSpeed cars.

2) pontiac doesnt compete with or beat mazdaspeed. they actually compete with ford, mazda, nissan, chrysler, dodge and chevy.

blckgagt · 02-21-2006, 08:11 PM

I doubt they will drop the nameplate...wasn't there plans on redesigning under the new platform that the camaro is supposed to be on if it comes out, which i thin kit will. Plus they have been trying to rejuvenate pontiac to be the performance division with the GXP models. I don't think the GTO is dead, and if it really was, then they would have to bring something back in its place or it would leave the camaro and vette to take on dodge, ford...etc. Just wouldn't make sense to me. Of course wouldn't be the first time they did something that didn't make sense.

AaronGTR · 02-21-2006, 09:17 PM

Seriously guys.... welcome to 2 friggin' years ago. OLD OLD OLD NEWS!

GM was gonna just re-design the GTO here in the states for the next generation of the car. However the developement of the next RWD global platform was temporarily shelved due to developement costs and GM needed the money elsewhere (also old news). So they have no platform for a new GTO hence the reason it will have a few years hiatus before it shows up again.

crazypontiac03 · 02-21-2006, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

Seriously guys.... welcome to 2 friggin' years ago. OLD OLD OLD NEWS!

GM was gonna just re-design the GTO here in the states for the next generation of the car. However the developement of the next RWD global platform was temporarily shelved due to developement costs and GM needed the money elsewhere (also old news). So they have no platform for a new GTO hence the reason it will have a few years hiatus before it shows up again.

Thank You!!! Get over it people.. Its been DEAD...
It will be back in a few year's, probably.

02-21-2006, 12:39 PM	#1
Braves299 WVU owns you AKA: David Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Derwood, Maryland Age: 36 Posts: 2,170 Vehicle: '99 GA SE 3.4, '06 Ram	GTO officially gone after 06 Gone for Now Pontiac to drop GTO after '06 model year By JAMIE LAREAU \| AUTOMOTIVE NEWS 12:59 pm, February 21, 2006 DETROIT -- General Motors has told Pontiac dealers that it will discontinue the GTO coupe at the end of this model year. GM will make the last deliveries of the vehicle to dealers by the end of September, sources close to Pontiac say. GM will produce 10,000 to 12,000 more GTOs before dropping the nameplate, one source close to the situation says. Last year, Pontiac sold 11,590 GTOs compared to 2004 when it sold 13,569. That's a 14.6 percent drop. When Pontiac launched the GTO in 2003, it projected 18,000 annual sales. The vehicle was criticized for bland styling, and some fans of the original GTO complained that it lacked nostalgic styling cues. A Pontiac spokesman confirms the GTO will be discontinued after the 2006 model year. “There are some changes in the federal regulatory standards. One is an airbag deployment standard that would require some very expensive re-engineering of the car,” says Jim Hopson, Pontiac spokesman. “Since the architecture of this car is being phased out around the world it’s not economically feasible to continue this car.” Pontiac will continue to build the GTO through the end of May, Hopson says. The last “boatload will hit the ground in June”, he adds. The GTO first came to dealerships in December 2003 as a 2004 model, Hopson says. The GTO is built on a rear-wheel drive architecture from GM's Holden division in Australia. The present model is going out of production as GM constructs the new Zeta RWD architecture, says the source. There is no replacement coupe planned at this time and because of the strong Australian and weak U.S. dollar, the GTO had to be priced thousands over where GM originally wanted it -- in the mid-twenties, the source says. "It never did as much volume as we had hoped," the source says. Pontiac is considering a replacement in the lineup for a RWD performance vehicle, but does not have anything to announce yet, Hopson says. The GTO suggested retail price starts at $31,990, including shipping. One GM source says, "the 2005 and 2006 were pretty well sold out, and sales were especially strong in areas of GM weakness, like Southern California. It's a shame it has to go -- for now." . __________________ Carl Lee Combs July 8, 1944 - February 20, 2002 "Gone for now, never forgotten"

02-21-2006, 03:11 PM	#7
DrFabulous FIGJAM AKA: Matt Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: MN Posts: 9,675 Vehicle: Acura\|Chevy\|Porsche	__________________ '18 Acura MDX Kid hauler '15 Chevrolet Tahoe Toy Hauler '01 Porsche Boxster Project

02-21-2006, 03:12 PM	#8
GregFarz78 GAGT - Junkie AKA: See Above Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Philly, PA Age: 43 Posts: 4,413 Vehicle: 04 Honda S2000	GM big wigs must have down syndrome...kill the only Pontiac thats worth a damn excellent decision Just kill off the pontiac brand now all thats left is crap. __________________ My Pics

02-21-2006, 03:16 PM	#9
cavingman Moderator AKA: Brendan Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA Age: 40 Posts: 3,772 Vehicle: 04 Saturn Ion Redline	but they have the new G5! :\ __________________ bleeehh....

02-21-2006, 06:19 PM	#15
JohnnyB4439 Live For This! AKA: Johnny Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: St.Louis, Missouri Age: 36 Posts: 1,217 Vehicle: 2004 GTO A4	Yet again GM droppes the ball, they come out with cars that people "want" but do not make them the way the consumer wants them, and then wonders why they do not sell. Stop making cars they way you want and start making them the way the buyer wants!! If GM comes out with the Camero and Challenger similiar to what ive seen in the pictures so far, thats a step in the right direction... __________________ http://www.jbdvds.com

02-21-2006, 01:25 PM	#6
nascarnate326 Honda CRF 450 AKA: Nathan Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Age: 34 Posts: 1,188 Vehicle: 2004 Grand Prix GT	Darn it. I liked the GTO. Now we will see camaro's everywhere. Just great.

02-21-2006, 05:09 PM	#12
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	I really enjoy driving my dad's '05, but the platform the car rides on is ancient and it lacks a lot of modern features. I'm sure a replacement of some sort will come along in the next 3 years or so.

02-21-2006, 05:51 PM	#14
nascarnate326 Honda CRF 450 AKA: Nathan Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Age: 34 Posts: 1,188 Vehicle: 2004 Grand Prix GT	I just like how GTO's arnt everywhere. I see more c6 vettes then GTO's. For some reason I like that. Ya, mine as well kill off Pontaic, migrate solstice to Opel, and hope to hell Chevy can beet the MazdaSpeed cars.

02-21-2006, 08:11 PM	#18
blckgagt ~Turbocharged~ AKA: Randy Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN Age: 37 Posts: 1,265 Vehicle: 99 GAGT, 07 Vette	I doubt they will drop the nameplate...wasn't there plans on redesigning under the new platform that the camaro is supposed to be on if it comes out, which i thin kit will. Plus they have been trying to rejuvenate pontiac to be the performance division with the GXP models. I don't think the GTO is dead, and if it really was, then they would have to bring something back in its place or it would leave the camaro and vette to take on dodge, ford...etc. Just wouldn't make sense to me. Of course wouldn't be the first time they did something that didn't make sense. __________________ 400whp 435wtq - MMS Race Block w/ 8.5:1 comp ratio, Eagle H-beam rods. MMS Stage 2 heads, Turbo Cam, chromemoly pushrods, GM gaskets. MMS 65 mm Turbo Kit w 60lb/hr injectors, Walbro fuel pump, powdercoated engine. MMS 3.29 4t65eHD conv., 3500 stall TC. Milzy headers w/ downpipe, magnaflow exhaust, FFP Pulley, f/r strut braces, Msd 8.5 SC wires, *** bodykit, Bilstein Coilovers. 17x8 AE 185s. Pioneer HU, B/A speakers. Baer brakes. Wot-tech engine mount. SB Rear Swaybar. ES Poly links

02-21-2006, 09:17 PM	#19
AaronGTR BlingWithBallz AKA: Aaron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Detroit area, MI Age: 43 Posts: 12,254 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT1 2dr	Seriously guys.... welcome to 2 friggin' years ago. OLD OLD OLD NEWS! GM was gonna just re-design the GTO here in the states for the next generation of the car. However the developement of the next RWD global platform was temporarily shelved due to developement costs and GM needed the money elsewhere (also old news). So they have no platform for a new GTO hence the reason it will have a few years hiatus before it shows up again. __________________ The few, the proud, the boosted! 13.788 @ 103.73 mph (3/2011) 320 whp and 300 ft/lbs torque. (3/2011) See it here. the total package.

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