Chapter 1: The Last Days of Pontiac
In June 2009, General Motors announced that they would be “phasing out” their 83-year-old Pontiac Division by the end of 2010, just a month before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This decision marked the end of an era for Pontiac enthusiasts. Only three Pontiac vehicles were sold as 2010 models in the United States: the Solstice, Vibe, and G6.
Chapter 2: The Final Vibes and NUMMI’s Legacy
Today, we focus on the Pontiac Vibe, one of the last vehicles to bear the Pontiac badge. What makes this car particularly special is its connection to NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated), a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota. NUMMI was famous for producing high-quality vehicles.
The NUMMI factory, formerly known as GM’s Fremont Assembly, had a rich history. It started building vehicles in 1963 and closed in 1982 after manufacturing the legendary Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera. In 1984, as NUMMI, it began producing the Chevrolet Nova, which was essentially an Americanized Toyota Corolla Sprinter. Over the years, NUMMI produced over eight million vehicles, including popular models such as the Corolla.
Chapter 3: The Vibe and Its Toyota Connections
The Pontiac Vibe was co-developed with Toyota and shared its platform with the ninth-generation Corolla. The Toyota Matrix, a mechanically identical vehicle to the Vibe, was built in Canada. Additionally, the Japanese market had its version called the Toyota Voltz, which was produced on the same NUMMI line as the Vibe.
In 2009, both the Vibe and Matrix received a redesign. However, due to the turmoil in the GM world at the time, few people noticed this significant update.
Chapter 4: The Last Vibe Standing
Out of all the Vibe models produced, this particular car stands out as one of the last Vibes to be built. Its production date in July 2009 places it in the final months of the Vibe’s manufacturing life. Interestingly, this Vibe has a story to tell, having lived in West Texas before finding its final resting place near Denver, Colorado.
Chapter 5: From West Texas to Colorado
After making the journey from West Texas to Colorado, this Vibe found itself parked in a less-than-ideal location and eventually ended up being auctioned to Pick Your Part. Before its fate was sealed, it seems the car’s previous owner had a taste of the local agricultural products.
Chapter 6: An Inside Look at the Vibe
This white Vibe may be a base model, but it does come with the optional automatic transmission. Given its features and history, it is highly likely that this Vibe started its life as a rental car. Regardless of its origins, this car’s presence evokes memories of Pontiac’s heyday.
Chapter 7: Pontiac’s Efforts to Stay Relevant
Pontiac made efforts to attract younger buyers during the second generation of the Vibe. They even hired Shwayze, a popular artist at the time, in an attempt to lure younger drivers. However, these efforts were not as successful as they had hoped.
Chapter 8: The Voltz Commercial in Japan
In Japan, Toyota promoted the Voltz with an energetic skate-punk-themed commercial. This unique marketing approach reflected the vehicle’s sporty image and appealed to a younger audience.
Conclusion:
As we reflect on this last remaining Pontiac Vibe, we can appreciate its significance as one of the final vehicles to wear the Pontiac badge. Its connection to NUMMI and Toyota adds another layer of interest to its story. This Vibe serves as a reminder of Pontiac’s legacy and the challenges faced by the brand in its final years. Although the Vibe may have had its shortcomings, it remains a testament to the unique spirit that Pontiac represented in the automotive landscape.
