WEB ALERT: The 2009 Pontiac Vibe

Or will it be a week from now? Us Camaro fans weren't too happy when our much-hyped November update was forgotten then pushed back a week. Well, all shall be forgiven, as you guys are still the best at keeping the fan base up to date. My thanks go out to Bob and everyone at the GM Fastlane Blog!

Time Zone?

Im all for Pontiac, but I think that money would have been better spent making the G5 less pathetic. Its ugly, uninspiring, and out classed in almost every way, by the competition. Honestly, when you've seen more Bentleys, then G5's, I think there's a problem.

Kind of disappointing. Although it looks great from the front, and much better than the new Matrix, it's still pretty goofy.

Why are they still making this thing anyways? A full GM design using an ecotec powertrain would be more powerful, more efficient, and better looking. Not to mention it would give them the option of using the 2.0 turbo... making it a REAL Pontiac.

That one guy brought up a good question too. How do they plan on making this car more appealing over the Matrix? The Matrix surely will sell better just because of the Toyota badge.

That's one thing that really worries me about GM. They still have no clue how to appeal to a young demographic. The G6 GXP shows just how clueless they are. And it's scary. Most people around my age (18) don't just dislike GM. They hate them. I don't think the people at GM know just how serious or widespread it is. They really need to start making some good entry level vehicles to get the younger demographic interested. Right now the inexpensive cars appear to be pretty low on GM's to do list.

Att: Mr. Bob Lutz and Mr. John Larson with Pontiac,

I recently saw the early introduction of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe cross-over at media.gm.com. This vehicle introduction was very creative and fun to watch. Might I ad that GM is the only vehicle manufacturer that places their vehicle introductions on-line, open for the public to view and i appreciate it. When the original Wayne Cherry designed Vibe came out earlier in the decade, it served as a nice compliment to the larger Aztec and allowed Pontiac access to an emerging, younger, more urban demographic. Previous Pontiac's could not do this so in this time period, the Vibe was good for Pontiac in chasing more volume. I also understand that from a business case, this vehicle would serve the purpose of the NUMMI alliance with Toyota that the Chevy Prizm originally served. Frankly, I think that this alliance is well out-dated and the products that are produced from this alliance were never and still aren't compelling. I am a 20 year-old Saturn sales consultant and seeing these new GM designs in recent years have impressed me greatly. However, this Pontiac seems like a step backwards in terms of design for the Pontiac brand. The proportions seem off, the wheels aren't pushed to the far corners of the car like the other Pontiacs for a stable, masculine stance. It still feels like the old body cladded Pontiacs. I always hear how Pontiac is tightly focusing their brand to make their brand lines more identifiable and crisp; I don't see how the new Vibe fits into this strategy. Now more than ever, Pontiac is not a full-line division. Pontiac should just focus on sporty coupes, sport sedans, and convertibles that have precise driving dynamics. Not cross-overs for active life-styles. Why did this car debut so early?

Sincerely,
Andrew Tamas
Roselle, Il

Toyota recently had a strategic change that states that the whole Toyota lineup will have

hybrid cars. That means from Yaris to Highlander. Yaris hybrid (known as Vitz in Japan) is

already available in Japan. This is fantastic! I wonder how much they make on hybrid cars.

GM doesnt fit two-mode hybrids in their crossovers(Outlook, Enclave, Acadia) because they

will make less profit. This is ridiculous! The Diesotto from Mercedes will be available in 7

years whereas GM's HCCI is available from 2015! The transducers are expensive. Can't they

jointly purchase to lower the price? Anyway, HCCI is a great way to fight the Japanese. and

i think GM is slackening up!!!!

The new Vibe is nice. Very good styling, decent drivetrains...

But, it is still nothing more than a re badged and redesigned Toyota Matrix, based off of the epitome of "unexciting", the Corolla. As I understand it, Pontiac wants to be the exciting brand to bring back the driving enthusiasts. Where does the Vibe fit in that plan? Saturn will have the perfectly good Astra hatchback, with its efficient 1.8l engine in a few months, and Chevy has the popular HHR. So who needs the Vibe? In my opinion, Pontiac needs to move to completely RWD, along with Cadillac. Give Buick one RWD Grand Touring type coupe, and Chevy can have the Corvette and Camaro. Then the Impala can be FWD and more fuel efficient, while still serving as the larger and more upscale counterpart to the Malibu. This way the majority of GM cars can remain FWD and therefore more fuel efficient, while the driving enthusiasts will still have a strong and wide lineup of RWD cars to choose from.

Pardon my unenthusiasm, but isn't the Vibe nothing more than a rebadged Toyota?

First you have Saturn selling rebadged Opels, now you offer a rebadged Toyota Matrix in Pontiac livery.

There must be a back story to your strategy, but it flew over my head.

Where can i find the music being played from the Vibe introduction?

The car looks fine and I'm sure it is executed well, but I'm thinking that the 1.8 should be used as the base engine or an optional engine with a credit. 26 mpg is not what this AWD car should be about. The previous AWD's got 31 and with the new ratings would be what now 30 or 29? Please make a quick switch as gas mileage is what this about.

It's kinda funny how things change:

Five years ago, when the Vibe was based off the Toyota, that was a *good* thing.

Now, when the Vibe is based off a Toyota, that's a *bad* thing.

Weak Toyota engines, uninspired Toyota interior and bland Toyota-appliance soul.

NUMMI has been great for GM - GM got a peek into Toyota's strengths and hopefully was able to copy the good manufacturing process with out producing Toyota/WalMart style stuff for the masses.

The Vibe will do well - good work but hard work for GM to polish a Corolla into something fun to drive.

The subject of 4 cyl. 4 wheel drive vehicles for GM is definitely way down on the priority list. For 2008 there are NO GM passenger vehicles available to purchase that have an economical 4 cyl engine and a 4 wheel drive train. The only vehicle made is the mid size Colorado or Canyon truck. The 4 cyl 4 WD Saturn Vue was nice concept, but someone gave up on the idea because they could not find a reliable drive train system. This lack of a highly desirable vehicle with todays gas prices going even higher will only force potential buyers to many other manufacturers that produce a 4 cyl, 4 WD vehicle. GM should not rely on the Vibe to be the one and only choice. Bring back the 4 WD Vue, 4 cyl and sell the driving public what it wants.

The Vibe is ugly like all the rest of Pontiac's car's excluding the Solstice. They all look too much alike. Now build Kevin Morgan's concept of the Trans Am and Pontiac will have something worth buying!

What a great opportunity for GM to boast about this little Toyota.

I just loved the introduction video, desparately trying to appeal to younger people with their terrible rap "artists" and horrid other entertainers, if you call them that.

Why not just build a cool car yourself, and stop trying to crowbar your way into someones personal opinion of your company and its products.

If you build a superior car, in every way, then you will gain access to the preference of buyers of all ages.

And, for heavens sake, stop using that horrible $.89 honeycomb grill garbage.

Nate H., Dover, Ohio