Pontiac (Almost) Launches Rebadged Aveo (a.k.a. G3)
As many of our Best and Brightest have pointed-out, all the hype surrounding the Chevrolet’s plug-in electric gas hybrid Volt obscures the fact that General Motors’ future depends on selling what it’s got right now, right here. Whether that’s intentional or not is a debate for another post. Suffice it to say, this. We flagged the arrival of the badge-engineered Chevy Aveo back in June. Canadians have already been “enjoying” the G3 as the Pontiac Wave, and now it’s here. Well, not yet. Later this year, as an ’09, at a yet-to-be-announced price. Meanwhile, in a desperate bid to link this POS with U.S. Pontiac’s former “We Build Excitement” strapline (now “Pontiac is car”), the official press release touts the G3’s “sporty functionality” (see: fender vent). “More than ever, fuel economy is an important factor in Pontiac’s formula of style and performance,” claims Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. “The Vibe, G3, G5, and G6 prove that you don’t have to sacrifice sporty design and responsive driving to achieve impressive fuel economy.” Is that what they prove? Who knew?
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This is the perfect car for someone that wants a cheap Korean car, but feels guilty buying one with a Korean name. (Gotta have that American badge to park it at the Union hall.) The shame about it is for a few bucks more, you can get a MUCH better car.
We build excrement.
check www.chevrolet.co.uk for pics of the 3 door Aveo. I don't know how to make links
There's an announcement up on fastlane.gmblogs.com; Pontiac G3 is confirmed. Try to contain your excitement. The announcement includes some "Q&A": Isn’t the G3 just a re-badged Chevy Aveo? The G3 and Aveo share a lot of components, true. But Toyota and Lexus also share components. Why re-engineer the wheel unnecessarily? Well, then, OK!