Pontiac (automobile)

Pontiac was an American automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland division. It was named after the city of Pontiac, Michigan, where the cars were originally manufactured. The brand quickly gained popularity and eventually replaced Oakland in the General Motors lineup.

History

Pontiac was introduced by General Motors in 1926 as a more affordable alternative to the Oakland brand. The first model, the Pontiac Six, was a six-cylinder car that offered good performance at a reasonable price. By 1933, Pontiac had become the only companion marque to survive its parent, as Oakland was discontinued.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Pontiac became known for its performance-oriented vehicles. The introduction of the Pontiac GTO in 1964 is often credited with starting the muscle car era. Other notable models from this period include the Pontiac Firebird, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Pontiac Bonneville.

Models

Pontiac produced a wide range of vehicles over its history, including sedans, coupes, convertibles, and SUVs. Some of the most iconic models include:

• Pontiac GTO
• Pontiac Firebird
• Pontiac Trans Am
• Pontiac Grand Prix
• Pontiac Bonneville
• Pontiac Fiero
• Pontiac Solstice

Decline and Discontinuation

In the early 2000s, Pontiac struggled with declining sales and a lack of new models. In 2009, as part of General Motors' restructuring during its bankruptcy, it was announced that the Pontiac brand would be discontinued. The last Pontiac vehicle was produced in January 2010.

Legacy

Despite its discontinuation, Pontiac remains a beloved brand among car enthusiasts. Many of its models, particularly the GTO and Firebird, are considered classics and are highly sought after by collectors.

See Also

• General Motors
• Muscle car
• Chevrolet
• Buick
• Oldsmobile