BORG Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 The End Of The Road For Monaro Kevin Hepworth 24 February 2006 www.carsguide.com.au Holden's hopes of a continuing export program for Monaro-derived cars seems to be over. The decision this week by Pontiac to axe the Monaro-based GTO following disappointing sales and changes to US airbag regulations has effectively ended all Monaro-based production. Production of the Pontiac GTO will officially end in June. Holden spokesman Jason Laird says: "We had been aware of the issues that Pontiac faced and the possibility that production of the GTO could cease. As by far the largest customer for the car – and that includes local sales – the Pontiac decision does necessitate revisiting production plans." Laird says as Holden is in discussion with the remaining markets he would not pre-empt any action from those talks. General Motors projected annual sales of 18,000 when the Pontiac GTO was launched amid much fanfare in 2003 but market response was disappointing from the outset. The car's perceived bland styling, particularly the absence of the trademark bonnet scoops from the original 1960s Pontiac GTO, and the decision to launch the car amid winter snows had it on the back foot from the outset. Only 13,569 were sold in 2004 and by last year, the addition of more radical bonnet scoops and a 6.0-litre V8 could only entice interest from another 11,590 buyers. GM Pulls The Plug On Pontiac GTO Christopher Jensen 24 February 2006 www.drive.com.au Almost a year after Holden announced the demise of the Monaro, production of its made-for-America twin, the Pontiac GTO, is also set to cease. The maker expects to stop selling the Australian made, Holden Monaro-based Pontiac GTO in September with production in Australia ending in May or June, the company said this week. "The GTO has been a good performer for us and given us a lot of credibility," says Jim Hopson, a Pontiac spokesman in Detroit. "We would love to keep building it." The major problem is that the GTO won't meet a new US federal safety regulation without considerable investment which the maker can't justify, Hopson says. That regulation requires new "advanced airbags" on vehicles built after August 1, he says. Beyond the problem with the federal regulations, it doesn't make financial sense to continue the GTO in the US when that platform is being discontinued in Australia, says Jim Hall, a car analyst with AutoPacific Inc. "It is not a surprise," Hall says. The question now is whether there will be a replacement for the GTO? "We think there is room for something like that," Hopson says. However, he declined to discuss the issue in detail. According to Hall, there are several scenarios that GM is investigating. One is whether it would make more sense to have Australia provide the basis for a new Camaro if officials decide that the Pontiac Solstice convertible is enough of a niche, performance vehicle for the Pontiac brand. Another is whether to let the GTO have a family, offering a coupe, a sedan and a less-powerful model. Three models would increase volume, which helps the financial picture, but one concern is that it might dilute the GTO image. Originally Pontiac had hoped to sell about 16,000 GTOs a year. But while it got good reviews for its performance there was criticism of the look, which wasn't seen as being distinctive enough. Despite some cosmetic changes and adding more power last year the maker sold 11,590 vehicles, down almost 15 per cent from the previous year. But GM insists the GTO isn't a flop, having brought new buyers into Pontiac showrooms and generally boosted the image of the division. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Welcome to 3 days ago, ;-) Of course, know it alls will laugh and blame it on styling, which is all they care about. And of course, they will say that it 'sold in such low numbers', forgetting it was meant as a low volume car. If not for the extra costs to certifiy and to import from AUS, it would still be around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolarBear Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 There's a little more to the story too. The Monaro was already scheduled for replacement, and another GM Division lobbied for- and won- the rights to the new chassis. Seen a Camaro, mate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grbeck Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 Welcome to 3 days ago, ;-) Of course, know it alls will laugh and blame it on styling, which is all they care about. And of course, they will say that it 'sold in such low numbers', forgetting it was meant as a low volume car. If not for the extra costs to certifiy and to import from AUS, it would still be around. The car was a high-performance Edsel, plain and simple. GM initially limited the amount imported to 18,000, and couldn't even sell that amount. So it cut the amount imported...and still couldn't sell those. I've heard that dealers, until very recently, had brand-new 2004 models in stock! It takes more than high-horsepower to wow buyers in that price class. The Pontiac nameplate doesn't cut it in that league...especially when it is attached to car that looks like an overgrown Grand Am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebritt Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 The GTO looked just like every other GM car .......bland! It had no personality to it at all. GM needs to get away from this straight,flat body with cheap grille kick it's on. I know its cheaper to make straight flat panels but COME ON!! :boring: :boring: :boring: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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