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Author Topic: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.  (Read 2290 times)

Offline canadianexpress

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Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« on: February 23, 2006, 10:05:58 am »
http://www.autonet.ca/News/2006/02/23/1458523.html

I Guess the End of the Pontiac Vibe.
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Offline Shnak

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2006, 10:19:28 am »
Wouldn't it also be the end of the Matrix since from what I recall, Pontiac were the ones initiating the project, and Toyota got interested and joined in by offering the Corolla powertrain. I'm sure Toyota could build their own Matrix without any help from Pontiac though...  ;)
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Offline ericthejet

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2006, 10:41:04 am »
Too bad for the Vibe.  I think it's one of the better cars in Pontiacs lineup.
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Offline ovr50

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2006, 12:19:38 pm »
Toyota sells a large number of Matrix (Matri??); I doubt that the end of the Toy/GM deal will affect the building of the Matrix at all. OTOH, the Vibe maybe a dead duck. They may just "grandfather" all the stuff currently under way and not do any new vehicles together, that makes sense to me.  ???
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Offline Shnak

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2006, 12:24:05 pm »
Anyone knows the salesnumbers of the Vibe compared to the Matrix? I would think both are pretty close, no?

And I welcome this news extremely positively as the interior of the Matrix (mostly Pontiac crap) is what turns me away from this car. Make it more like the interior of the Yaris, and my interest would go up by a factor of 10. Put the Camry/Rav4 2.4L engine in it and my interest would go up by another factor of 10...  ;)

I really like the format of the Matrix... it would be perfect for what I need right now... but I have never liked its interior, and always thought its engine was too small.
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Offline Giant Dwarf

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2006, 12:29:27 pm »
I thought the Vibe was selling pretty well.  I recall a few people posting here who had to wait for a while to get theirs in.  That's a good sign of a car selling well, isn't it?

As for the interiors, I thought there were a lot of shared parts there too (ie. dashboards, gauge pod layouts, etc.). 
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Offline cstraw

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2006, 02:36:42 pm »

My fiance recently picked up a 5spd 2005 Pontiac Vibe during GM's clearout sales in the summer.  While mechanically exactly like the Pontiac Vibe they of course have small differences, namely in option packaging, different exteriors, radios and slight difference in base price.  I prefer the more subtle styling of the Matrix, but the Vibe during the GM sales event was an obvious choice = $4500 less than an equivalent Matrix.  While shopping for 2005 Vibe models, pickings were slim at best towards the end of the sale.

While slightly weak on power and 'fun' it is marketed as an economy car and as such returns admirable fuel economy for its intended use.  The interior (exact same as Matrix) is far from inspiring but we think it will stand the test of time well (durable).  Dollar for dollar I believe you would be hard pressed to find more car for your money.

Chris
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Offline Panzer

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2006, 02:57:55 pm »
Quote from: ovr50 on February 23, 2006, 12:19:38 pm
Toyota sells a large number of Matrix (Matri)??

Matrices...   ;D
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Offline sirAQUAMAN64

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2006, 05:03:52 pm »
Matrix handily outsells Vibe, but moving Vibe has never been a problem for GM.

I think there will be a next gen Matrix-Vibe unveiled this year.
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Offline Giant Dwarf

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #9 on: February 23, 2006, 05:17:23 pm »
Quote from: sirAQUAMAN64 on February 23, 2006, 05:03:52 pm
Matrix handily outsells Vibe, but moving Vibe has never been a problem for GM.

I think there will be a next gen Matrix-Vibe unveiled this year.

Wow!  Just goes to show that looks can be decieving.  (either that or the unoffensive, non-descript styling of the Matrix makes it hide better in traffic).  I seem to see Vibes everywhere with comparatively few Matricies.  :)
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Offline Snowman

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #10 on: February 23, 2006, 05:24:20 pm »
I see a lot of both here in Sudbury, but I think more of them are Matrix. They both a well built and practical wagon. I can't see either GM or Toyota stopping production without a replacement.
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Offline Giant Dwarf

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2006, 05:27:03 pm »
Huh.  Go figure, GM has a successful product that is well designed and executed, is practical and stylish and priced right.  Who'd have thunk it?
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Offline Shnak

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2006, 05:33:05 pm »
Quote from: Giant Dwarf on February 23, 2006, 05:27:03 pm
Huh.  Go figure, GM has a successful product that is well designed and executed, is practical and stylish and priced right.  Who'd have thunk it?

yeah but let's not kid ourselves... it wouldn't be nearly as successful had Toyota not gotten involved in this project... Without Toyota, it would have ended up as a taller Sunfire... think about that for a minute...  ;)
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Offline AVToller

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2006, 05:41:41 pm »
In Port Alberni, I believe that the Matrix is the single best selling car. Vibes are quite rare. This may be related to the fact that there is only 1 "import" dealer in town, and the fact that the GM dealer is not known for - well let's just say that some people don't think too highly of it.  :shuffle:
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Offline safristi

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Re: Toyota, GM Partnership nears end.
« Reply #14 on: February 23, 2006, 06:12:31 pm »
"SOME_TIMES" it takes a while fer a VIBE ta reach tha' INTERIOR!!!!! :-* ::) :P :rofl2:...try an IMPOTENT
 WHINE!!!!..wif da BIG MAC!!!...
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