Jalopnik: pontiac vibe

GM Kills Vibe Early, Can't Quit NUMMI

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT

The irony of Toyota building the last Pontiac was perhaps too much for GM, consequently, they've decided to axe the Vibe in 2009. However, GM is still searching for a way to build products at NUMMI with Toyota.

Just one year and seven months after its official debut, the Pontiac Vibe has been put on the chopping blocks, dead after a very short life. Previously the Vibe was to be the only car available to the public in the 2010 model year, now the only product seems to be the 2010 model year G6 for sale to fleets only. So if you want a Pontiac, you better get one this year.

On the other hand, GM clearly wants to continue its production setup with Toyota and is in "active discussions" to find some other way to continue production at NUMMI. Can you say Chevy Tacoma?

General Motors Statement Regarding Discontinuation of Pontiac Vibe Production at NUMMI Facility

As part of its long-term viability plan and recent decision to phase out the Pontiac brand, General Motors has decided to discontinue production of the Pontiac Vibe by the end of August 2009. The Vibe is produced at the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI) facility jointly operated by GM and Toyota in Fremont, California. While no replacement for Vibe production has been determined, GM and Toyota remain in active discussions regarding potential future production at NUMMI.

[Source: GM]

Sweet Irony: Last Pontiac Actually A Toyota

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EDT

According to the 2010 GM Product Guide, the 2010 model year Pontiac Vibe is the only model from the doomed brand for 2010 and is, therefore, the last Pontiac. That's right, the last Pontiac is actually a Toyota.

The fact that the 2010 Pontiac Vibe is surviving until 2010 may have something to do with the join production deal GM has with Toyota to build the vehicle, along with its twin the Toyota Matrix, at the joint NUMMI production facility in Fremont, California. Every other vehicle will end at the 2009 MY with the exception of the fleet-only 2010 Pontiac G6, which may or may not become a strange collector's item for those willing to search the Alamo Rent-A-Car sales lot. [GM Product Guide, Carscoop]

Pontiac Vibe, Solstice Are Dead, Won't Live On As Chevys

Ray Wert — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EDT

GM CEO Fritz Henderson just told journalists the Pontiac Vibe and Solstice will not live on at other brands. Also, he's gonna have to talk with Toyota about what they're gonna do with NUMMI.

What, exactly, GM will do with NUMMI, their cooperative manufacturing effort with Toyota, remains unclear, but Fritz definitely claims they'll have to talk to Toyota and come up with something to do with the plant. Our guess is Toyota will just ask GM to continue making the Toyota Matrix (made on the same line as the Pontiac Vibe, by the same UAW workers) and just increase production numbers on it or, since Matrix production was moved to Canada last fall, maybe they'll just shut the whole place down.

Why the Matrix always sold so much better than the Vibe, we'll never understand. Wait a second, we remember — the picture to the left just jogged our memory. Eeeew. OK, now we know why the Matrix sold better.

Pontiac Vibe Commercial Featuring Shwayze. Wait, Who?

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT

You know you're not 'hip' or 'with it' anymore when when you see a musical artist featured in a new ad campaign and you don't know if they're a nobody or a somebody. Does anybody know who Shwayze is? It's kind of a catchy tune, that relies a little heavily on the fact that Shwayze rhymes with everything. The ad is undeniably targeted at that wannabe-indy-hipster-with-cash demographic that Pontiac is probably just drooling over. Maybe Pontiac is trying to pull an Apple and make artists with their ads. Whatever the case, we're still not sure about this whole "Is Car" slogan Pontiac is running. Nevertheless, the product they're churning out lately is way better than the "Driving Excitement" days so we're not complaining.

Pontiac Drops Vibe's Price to $15,895

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:15:00 EST

Those in the market for a Toyota Matrix might want to make note of the fact that its twin, the Pontiac Vibe, is going to be dropping its base price to $15,895 (with shipping charges) when it goes on sale in February. That's a decrease of $1,500 over the 2008 model price. We're not that surprised by the move, year-over-year sales of the Vibe are down 20.8% and a lower price would make it more competitive in the increasingly competitive not-quite-entry-level market.

We're a bit curious if they're also going to adjust the G5's price given that it'll only be $300 cheaper. Compared to the rebadged Cobalt, the Vibe is a great deal at that price and comes standard with stability control, ABS and OnStar. An AWD Vibe will come in at a base price of $19,495 and the GT version tops out at $19,895. [Source: GM]

2009 Pontiac Vibe Revealed On Video

Ray Wert — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:05:00 EST

Despite still being a few hours away from the official reveal, the folks at the General have graciously dropped some video clips of the new 2009 Pontiac Vibe onto a public web site, so we've decided to go ahead and run them. The video gives us a bit more of a look at the new Vibe-rator than the one press shot we've already been handed. The arrow-headed brand's newly redesigned 2009 Pontiac Vibe comes on the heels of the SEMA reveals of its two NUMMI-platform stable mates, the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Matrix. The five-seat, crossover SUV features a revised exterior and interior design and enhanced safety features, including a tire pressure monitoring system, OnStar and an electronic vehicle stability control system. In addition, GM's also announcing the return of the all-wheel-drive and GT models to the Vibe line-up which should, you know, be something for anyone whom this car may perhaps build excitement in. Depending on the model and engine size, the Vibe's fuel economy in the city varies from an estimated 19 mpg to 26 mpg. All 2009 Vibe models are scheduled to rollout in early 2008. We'll have more shortly. UPDATE: Live reveal shots of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe below.

Photo Credit: Sherry Kraft