Is Pontiac made by Toyota?
No, Pontiac is not made by Toyota. Pontiac was an American automobile brand that was owned and produced by General Motors (GM), not Toyota. Pontiac vehicles were manufactured in the United States and Canada until the brand was discontinued by GM in 2010.
The History of Pontiac
Pontiac was founded in 1926 as a division of GM and was named after the famous Native American leader Chief Pontiac. The brand was known for producing affordable, mid-range cars and trucks that appealed to a wide range of American consumers. Some of Pontiac's most iconic models over the years included the Firebird, Trans Am, Bonneville, and Grand Prix.
Pontiac was considered one of GM's "mid-level" brands, slotted between the more premium Buick and Oldsmobile divisions and the more budget-friendly Chevrolet. The brand was known for its distinctive styling, performance-oriented models, and marketing campaigns that emphasized excitement and sportiness.
The Decline and Discontinuation of Pontiac
In the late 2000s, Pontiac's sales and market share began to decline significantly, due to a combination of factors including the global financial crisis, changing consumer preferences, and increased competition from other automakers. In 2009, as part of GM's restructuring efforts during the automotive industry crisis, the decision was made to discontinue the Pontiac brand.
The last Pontiac-badged vehicles were produced in 2010, marking the end of the brand's 84-year history as part of the GM lineup. While Pontiac was never associated with Toyota, its discontinuation was a significant loss for GM and American automotive enthusiasts who had grown to love the brand's unique identity and products.
Did Toyota make Pontiac?
The Pontiac Vibe is a compact car that was sold by Pontiac from 2002 to 2010. It was jointly developed by General Motors along with Toyota, which manufactured the mechanically similar Toyota Matrix.
Is the Pontiac Vibe basically a Toyota?
In fact, the Pontiac version of this tall-wagon/hatchback thingy essentially takes the place of the Prizm at the California production facility that Toyota and General Motors share. Both the Vibe and the Matrix were designed primarily by Toyota. Pontiac then applied its styling to the Vibe.
Who builds Pontiac?
Pontiac Assembly. Pontiac Assembly was one of four General Motors assembly plants in Pontiac, Michigan located along Baldwin Avenue. It served as the home factory for GM's Pontiac Motor Division since it was built in 1927.
Is Pontiac and Buick the same company?
Since 2005, GM had gradually consolidated Buick with GMC and former Pontiac dealerships to create the current Buick-GMC network. During General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization and emergence in 2009, the company designated Buick as a "core brand", citing the division's success in China.
What Chevy has a Toyota engine?
Geo Prizm (1990-2002)
The brainchild of Toyota and General Motors, the Geo/Chevrolet Prizm ran on a Toyota engine the entirety of its 12-year stint.
Why does Pontiac no longer exist?
Amid the financial crisis, General Motors needed a government bailout. Congress agreed but required the company to restructure its business and cut costs. In the end, GM decided to eliminate several brands, including Pontiac. The last car to wear the arrowhead badge was a G6, which ended production in early 2010.
What Chevy cars did Toyota make?
The Geo Prizm and Chevrolet Prizm were compact cars that were rebadged versions of the Toyota Sprinter, a vehicle that the Japanese automaker Toyota never directly sold in the North American market. The Sprinter itself was derived from the Toyota Corolla.
Why did GM get rid of Pontiac?
Amid the financial crisis, General Motors needed a government bailout. Congress agreed but required the company to restructure its business and cut costs. In the end, GM decided to eliminate several brands, including Pontiac. The last car to wear the arrowhead badge was a G6, which ended production in early 2010.
What company owns Pontiac?
GM
Though both production and franchise agreements ended in 2010, Pontiac remains a registered and active trademark of GM for licensing purposes.
Which Pontiac Vibe has a Toyota engine?
Pontiac Vibe (2002-2010)
Jointly developed by General Motors and Toyota, this Pontiac hatchback came with two different options: the 1.8L 1ZZ-FE engine and the 2ZZ-GE engine, both of which belong to the Toyota ZZ Series.
