Editing Pontiac (automobile) (section)

=== 2005–2010 ===
While [[Oldsmobile]] was discontinued in 2004, Pontiac underwent a complete product revamping. The Grand Am was replaced with the mid-size [[Pontiac G6|G6]] in 2005. The Grand Am was produced for the 2005 model year to fill the gap until the new G6 coupe and convertible became available for that model year. Production of the Bonneville officially ended in 2005 after nearly fifty years of production. Although not directly replaced, the RWD [[Pontiac G8|G8]] introduced for the 2008 model year filled some market segments. The [[Pontiac Solstice|Solstice]] concept shown in 2002 was approved for production as a roadster (2006-2009), and, for a few months, 1,266 coupes (2009) were built in Wilmington, Delaware, before the end of Pontiac. In contrast, over 64,000 Solstice Convertibles were manufactured on that same line. The controversial [[Pontiac Aztek|Aztek]] was phased out and replaced by the Torrent, which was identical to the [[Chevrolet Equinox]].

In 2005, the [[Pontiac Sunfire|Sunfire]] was discontinued and replaced by the new Pontiac Pursuit (later named G5 for the American market). Initially, Pontiac did not plan on offering the G5 in the United States; however, dealer pressure to fill the gap left by the discontinuation of the Sunfire caused Pontiac to introduce only the coupe variation into the U.S. The four-door sedan version was available in Canada as the Pursuit throughout the model run. The high-performance GXP trim was introduced in the Grand Prix line in 2005, adding GM's LS4 V8 rated at {{convert|303|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|323|lb·ft|N.m|abbr=on}} of torque. This engine was built to give buyers a V8 sedan option until the all-new G8 arrived in 2008. In 2008, the Grand Prix ended production, and the launch of the Australian-built RWD G8 commenced. The G8 gained positive reception for its high performance and low costs. Many noted the G8 as the poor man's [[BMW M5]] due to its similar performance at a much lower price.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0806_2009_pontiac_g8_gxp_first_look/details.html |title=2009 Pontiac G8 GXP First Look |work=Motor Trend |access-date=May 27, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140620163710/http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0806_2009_pontiac_g8_gxp_first_look/details.html |archive-date=June 20, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The G8 GXP was the most powerful production car Pontiac had ever built and is regarded as the best driver's car ever to wear the Pontiac badge. The Holden Ute was scheduled to launch as the G8 ST before being canceled in January 2009 due to GM's financial situation. It was later announced that the G8 may not see a second generation. Towards the end of the decade, many rumors began spreading that Pontiac would become reliant on RWD. Reports ranged from a compact sedan based on the Alpha platform to a new RWD G6 for the 2013 model year. Many reports suggested that the [[Pontiac Trans Am|Trans Am]]/[[Pontiac Firebird|Firebird]] would return after GM confirmed the rebirth of the Camaro. However, no official company statements confirmed these.

[[File:2009.5 Pontiac G6 sedan.jpg|thumb|right|The G6 was the last Pontiac manufactured by General Motors (2009.5 model shown).]]

On December 2, 2008, [[General Motors]] eliminated numerous brands, including Pontiac, to appease Congress with the objective of receiving a $25 billion loan from the government.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.freep.com/assets/PDF/1202gmplan.pdf |title=GM Restructuring Plan for Long-Term Viability |date=December 2, 2008 |website=Detroit Free Press |access-date=October 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228212054/http://www.freep.com/assets/PDF/1202gmplan.pdf |archive-date=Dec 28, 2009 }}</ref> On February 17, 2009, GM proposed the sale or elimination of its [[Saturn Corporation|Saturn]] division, the sale of [[Saab Automobile|Saab]], and either the sale or elimination of [[Hummer]], depending on whether a buyer could be found quickly. GM clarified that Pontiac would have begun to focus on "niche" models aimed at the "youthful and sporty" segment, but did not provide specifics. Pontiac was to trim its number of models to four.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tutor |first=Chris |url= http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/official-gm-shrinking-to-four-brands-pontiac-to-four-models/ |title=Official: GM shrinking to four brands; Pontiac to four models |website=Autoblog |date=January 14, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2010}}</ref> However, there were discussions of retaining only one model.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tutor |first=Chris |url= http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/15/goodbye-amino-pontiac-could-kill-g8-st-become-one-car-brand/ |title=Goodbye-amino? Pontiac could kill G8 ST; become one-car brand |website=autoblog.com |date=December 15, 2008 |access-date=October 12, 2010}}</ref> By April 2009, several automotive websites and business publications were reporting that GM was doing a study suggesting it might eliminate the brand, along with sister truck brand [[GMC (automobile)|GMC]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Green |first=Jeff |url= https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aH6K5WdHvDcQ&refer=home |title=GM Said to Study Dropping Pontiac, GMC in Savings Bid (Update3) |website=Bloomberg |date=April 16, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/090416-GM-May-Kill-Pontiac-GMC-Brands/ |title=GM May Kill Pontiac, GMC Brands |website=US News & World Report |date=April 16, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Roth |first=Dan |url= http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/16/pontiac-and-gmc-may-get-ax-you-knew-this-was-coming/ |title=REPORT: Pontiac and GMC may get axe... you knew this was coming |website=Autoblog |date=April 16, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2010}}</ref> On April 23, a report was published stating the company dropped the Pontiac brand while preserving the GMC truck line, and the Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Buick brands.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lavrinc |first=Damon |url= http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/report-general-motors-to-kill-pontiac-monday |title=Report: General Motors to kill Pontiac on Monday |website=Autoblog |date=April 23, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2010}}</ref> The decision to dissolve Pontiac was made primarily due to the increasing threat of a bankruptcy filing if the June 1 deadline could not be met.<ref>{{cite web|last=Green |first=Jeff |url= https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aSzU5bt90cWM&refer=home |title=GM Said to Preserve GMC Brand, Eliminate Pontiac in New Plan |website=Bloomberg |date=April 24, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2010}}</ref> The company dropped the Pontiac automobile and phased out all of its remaining models in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Silke |first=Sharon |url= https://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-04-27-gm-kills-pontiac_N.htm |title=GM killing its Pontiac brand, sources say |work=USA Today |date=April 28, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2010}}</ref> Though both production and franchise agreements ended in 2010, Pontiac remains a registered and active trademark of GM for licensing purposes.<ref>{{cite web|last=Paukert |first=Chris |url= http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/officially-official-gm-kills-pontiac/ |title=Officially Official: GM kills Pontiac (Updated with live webcast embed |website=Autoblog |date=April 27, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://intellectual-property.legalhelp.org/trademarks/trademark-basics/ |title=Trademark Basics |website=Legalhelp.org |access-date=June 17, 2015}}</ref>

General Motors would eliminate an additional 7,000 to 8,000 factory jobs in the United States and shed 2,600 dealers by 2010 under a revised business plan. GM Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson said the Pontiac brand would be closed by 2010, calling it an "extremely personal decision". In addition to speeding up decisions on Saturn, Saab, and Hummer, GM would be left with four brands—Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090427-709022.html |title=Article - WSJ.com |website=Online.wsj.com |date=April 27, 2009 |access-date=May 2, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090430100538/http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090427-709022.html |archive-date=April 30, 2009 }}</ref>

In early May 2009, Jim Waldron, a [[Davison, Michigan]], Pontiac dealer, announced his interest in purchasing the Pontiac brand and logos.<ref name="Longley"/> He had found financing to buy them along with some soon-to-be shuttered GM plants to build cars. However, GM had already decided to retire the brand as it has begun to sell off its remaining inventory and said that, unlike Saturn, Hummer, and Saab, Pontiac was not for sale.<ref name="Longley">{{cite news|last=Longley |first=Kristin |title=Pontiac not for sale, GM says, despite local dealership's offer to buy |url= https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2009/05/pontiac_not_for_sale_gm_says_d.html |newspaper=The Flint Journal |date=May 7, 2009 |access-date=March 21, 2025}}</ref>

The Pontiac brand was pulled after the 2009 model year in Mexico and the brand was renamed Matiz, selling only one vehicle, the [[Daewoo Matiz|Matiz G2]] (Matiz's logo is similar to Pontiac's).

The last Pontiac, a white 2010 model year G6 four-door sedan, was built at the Orion Township Assembly Line in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna34224218 |title=Pontiac hits end of the road after 82 years |website=nbcnews.com |access-date=October 5, 2014 |date=December 3, 2009}}</ref>

Pontiac was one of three brands GM discontinued in 2010; the other two were [[Hummer]] and [[Saturn Corporation|Saturn]].