Pontiac's demise is being poignantly documented by the New York Times – which itself seems to have a macabre interest in the final days of established brands – an obsessive concern for brands that become obsolete – a grim fixation on companies crushed by economic forces.
Is there a lesson in Pontiac's imminent disappearance? Global capitalism is destructive, yes. Over-capacity in car manufacturing means that some brands must die, yes. Fuel prices and demographic trends favor some strategies over others, of course.
But this old brochure pictured in today's New York Times reminds us that one reason for Pontiac's end is GM's absolute failure to keep alive and fresh the once-compelling spirit of the Pontiac brand.
brandsinger
2 comments:
Completely agree, Brandsinger. Growing up, we'd whoop when a souped-up Bonneville, GTO or LeMans rumbled by. They were cars that mattered. I'm not sure what happened... interchangeable parts, models, styles, I suppose. I'll miss the idea of Pontiac, but not the current models...
Thanks, Anonyman. I too remember the brand from my childhood -- one Pontiac convertible flew by my family as scarves and hair and collars flapped merrily in the wind. We were chugging along, my dad minding the wheel of a dignified blue Chrysler. What was that? A Pontiac!
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