Not Getting My Hopes Up

An interesting video about the possible return of the Pontiac name or monikers. I agree with TK at the end that there is still a lot of smoke and mirrors to this. I am not going to get my hopes up.

However, the fact that Trans Am Depot is not producing licensed Trans Am anymore (heck GM isn't producing the Camaro anymore either) is telling. I would caution anyone on getting their hopes up on this. GM has maintained the trademarks and copyrights to Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Hummer, Holden, GEO, and Saturn even though these cars have not been produced since at least 2010 (except Hummer is now a GMC). Why? Because GM still can control the licensing and merchandising rights to these orphaned brands/models. GM continues to generate millions of dollars in licensing and merchandise revenue from signs, T-shirts, baseball caps, etc barrng these nameplates and logos from 3rd party vendors. So they are still making money off of these abandoned names.

Would I like to see the Trans Am or GTO return as performance car? Damn right I would. However, my expectations are zero to none at this point. GM renewed the Chevelle name many years ago too but nothing has come from it either. Not even a concept car. 

Today, GM's line up is almost entirely trucks, EVs and SUVs, the Corvette, the Chevy Malibu, and Cadillac CT5 and CT4 (and their V-series variants) are the only coupes/sedans that GM currently sells in North American today. GM and most of the rest of the big three have all but conceded the car market to the Asian and European manufacturers.

While this might be hope for some sort of return for Pontiac, I will only believe it when I see sadly.

Edited May 16, 20251 yr by Frosty