Pontiac, the American car brand known for its "We Build Excitement" slogan, produced its last model year in 2010. The final Pontiacs rolled off the assembly line in late 2009, marking the end of an 84-year run for the iconic manufacturer. The decision was a key part of General Motors' (GM) restructuring plan during its 2009 bankruptcy, which involved discontinuing Pontiac to focus resources on its core brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.
The last Pontiac models produced were primarily the G6 sedan and the G3 and Vibe hatchbacks. The Vibe, notably, was a product of the joint venture between GM and Toyota, sharing its platform with the Toyota Matrix. The demise of Pontiac was not due to a single model's failure but was a strategic move to streamline GM's portfolio and eliminate internal competition. For years, Pontiac models often shared platforms and components with more popular Chevrolet cars, diluting the brand's unique identity.
For collectors and enthusiasts, the most sought-after final-year models often include the high-performance G8 GXP sedan and the aggressively styled Solstice GXP roadster. These models embodied the performance spirit Pontiac was known for.
| Final Pontiac Models (2010 Model Year) | Key Specifications | Approximate U.S. Production Numbers |
|---|
| Pontiac G6 Sedan/Coupe/Convertible | 2.4L 4-cylinder or 3.5L V6 engine | ~35,000 units |
| Pontiac G3 (Wave) Hatchback | 1.6L 4-cylinder engine | ~10,000 units |
| Pontiac Vibe Hatchback | 1.8L 4-cylinder engine (Toyota-built) | ~28,000 units |
| Pontiac G8 Sedan | 3.6L V6 or 6.0L V8 (GXP) engine | ~28,000 units |
| Pontiac Solstice Roadster/Coupe | 2.4L 4-cylinder or 2.0L Turbo (GXP) | ~5,000 units |
If you're looking at a used Pontiac from around this time, a 2010 Vibe is often considered a smart buy due to its Toyota-derived reliability. However, as these cars age, potential owners should be aware that parts specific to Pontiac may become gradually harder to source compared to parts for the still-active Chevrolet counterparts.
