<![CDATA[Jalopnik: Pontiac Aztek]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: Pontiac Aztek]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/pontiac aztek http://jalopnik.com/tag/pontiac aztek <![CDATA[ Which Dead US Automotive Nameplates Should Remain Buried? ]]> Seems the boss-man has been moonlighting again over at Popular Mechanics, this time advising Detroit about which of its dead nameplates should remain six feet under. We won't give away Ray's picks; you'll have to head over to PopMech for those, but we've tossed our own version together after the jump.

5) Plymouth Laser
Plymouth_Laser.jpgThere's a malt liquor called Laser. It's about as refreshing to a college thirst as a pint of warm vinegar, but it does the job. Pretty similar to the Plymouth Laser actually.

4) Merkur XR4Ti
Merkur_XR4Ti.jpgJust because the Germans are doing it doesn't make it cool (or scatalogical). Naming cars with letters and numbers may seem like a good idea, but nobody is going to sing about how it was 'fun, fun, fun 'till her daddy takes the XR4Ti awaaaaay.'

3) Jeep Jeepster
Jeep_Jeepster.jpgIf Jeep considers reusing the name "Jeepster," that means the lately questionably off-road brand is considering a car-like Jeep, and that's stupid. We actually think the original Jeepster is pretty cool; our only reason for nominating this one is because Jeeps should never have been so city-fied.

2) Ford Fairmont
Ford_Fairmont.jpgAs much as we love the Fairmont police cars of the past, and the name does conjure up images of fair mountains, it's one that needs to stay buried. This one makes the list if only to discourage Ford from it's ridiculous and annoying "F" naming penchant.

1) Pontiac Aztek
Pontiac_Aztec-1.jpgWe know, GM, you're tempted to relive those halcyon days of 2001 when you besmirched an entire ancient civilization by unleashing the Pontiac Aztek upon the public. Quetzalcoatl will rain down destruction upon you should it ever make a return.

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Jalopnik-399224 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EDT Ben Wojdyla http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=399224&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Gale Harold Tries, Fails To Sell Pontiac Azteks ]]> Everyone laughs at the Aztek. Poor Aztek! But at least The General was trying something interesting, either ignoring the focus groups or selecting incredibly unrepresentative focus group members when they made their prediction that their über-cladded crypto-minivan would sell like crazy. And, as part of their ad campaign, they got Queer As Folk actor Gale Harold to do an ad for this fine motor vehicle; watch as he scarfs some sushi, then swings to the beat! Can you hear the marketing wizards bandying about words like "hip" and "urban" and "edgy" in their meetings?

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Jalopnik-381761 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT Murilee Martin http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=381761&view=rss&microfeed=true