Are Pontiac and Chevy the same company?
No. Pontiac and Chevrolet (Chevy) are not the same company. Both are brands owned by General Motors, but Pontiac was discontinued as a current brand in 2010, while Chevrolet remains an active GM brand sold worldwide.
How the brands fit within General Motors
General Motors operates multiple brands under one corporate umbrella. Chevrolet and Pontiac are distinct brand identities within GM, each with its own marketing approach, dealer networks, and product lineups. While they share engineering resources and platforms at times, they are not the same business unit or brand synonymous with one another.
Key facts about the relationship between Pontiac and Chevrolet within GM:
- Pontiac was a distinct GM division from 1926 until its discontinuation in 2010.
- Chevrolet (often called Chevy) is GM's volume-brand and remains active today.
- Both brands are owned by General Motors, and sometimes share platforms and components, but they maintain separate brand identities and marketing.
- GM has not revived the Pontiac brand for new-production vehicles as of 2025; Pontiac exists now primarily as a historical brand and in the collector market.
In short, they are not the same company; they are separate brands under General Motors.
Historical context and current status
To understand the distinction, it helps to know the history. Pontiac developed as a brand to compete in the mid-tier market with its own styling and dealer network. Chevrolet was and is GM's core mass-market brand, with a broad lineup and extensive dealership reach. The 2009-2010 restructuring during GM's bankruptcy led to the retirement of Pontiac as a current-brand automaker, while Chevrolet continued to operate and expand globally.
Discontinuation and restructuring
During GM's 2009 restructuring, Pontiac was one of several brands phased out as GM streamlined operations. Production of most Pontiac models ended in 2010, and the brand was officially retired as a current production line. The decision aimed to focus GM on brands with sustainable long-term demand.
Current status and public understanding
As of 2024-2025, Chevrolet remains a live, global GM brand with a wide product lineup, dealership network, and ongoing model development. Pontiac, by contrast, is no longer produced as a new-car brand, though its vehicles remain popular with collectors and enthusiasts, and parts for older Pontiacs remain available through aftermarket channels and legacy GM parts catalogs.
Summary
Pontiac and Chevrolet are not the same company. They are separate brand identities under General Motors. Chevrolet continues as an active, global brand, while Pontiac was discontinued as a current-brand automaker in 2010. The two brands may share some engineering resources, but they operate independently in branding and market strategy. If you’re shopping today, you’ll find Chevrolet vehicles in showrooms and online, while Pontiac badges are absent from new models.
Are Pontiac and Chevy the same?
Chevrolet and Pontiac were both owned by General Motors until the company discontinued Pontiac in 2010, with Chevrolet still going strong today. It's not uncommon for GM to share designs and parts across their brands. For example, the Chevy Silverado is essentially the same truck as the GMC Sierra.
Is Pontiac owned by Chevrolet?
Pontiac was owned by General Motors (GM). Its lineup included small SUVs, small-to-full-size automobiles, and a few sporty cars. However, GM discontinued the Pontiac brand, so you won't find any all-new vehicles on the market.
Is a Pontiac 350 the same as a Chevy 350?
Pontiac and Chevrolet 350 engines share almost no interchangeable parts. These two V8s have different engine block castings, different head designs and different internal dimensions. As a result, major components cannot be swapped between them.
What car is the poor man's Cadillac?
1940 LaSalle (poor man's Cadillac.)
