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Pontiac Vibe 2009+
2009 Vibe timetable pulled forward at NUMMI-
quote Wards- 2009 Vibe
General Motors Corp. will accelerate production of its redesigned ’09 Pontiac Vibe by at least two months, a move meant to satisfy an advanced timetable for the ’09 Toyota Matrix and growing consumer demand for choices in the upper-small car segment.
The 6-year-old Vibe and Matrix share a common platform. The Vibe is built at New United Motor Mfg. Inc., a Fremont, CA-based facility operated jointly by GM and Toyota Motor Corp. The Matrix is produced at Toyota’s Cambridge, ON, Canada, plant.
Toyota wants to update the Matrix because it has attracted families, rather than younger buyers the auto maker originally sought.
“The styling does not have the sense of motion about it,” says Mike O’Brien, head of product planning for Toyota Motor Co. USA, during a recent industry event in Michigan. “It’s a bit boxy. And it just does not have the appeal to young people that we had hoped for.”
In speeding the Matrix redo, production of the ’09 Vibe now will begin in first-quarter 2008, ahead of a typical NUMMI production turnover in mid-second quarter.
“They are sister vehicles, so the timing that would affect one vehicle would affect the other,” a GM spokesman tells Ward’s.
In GM’s case, the earlier the redesigned hatchback arrives the better. More fresh choices in its fuel-sipping small-car portfolio could help diversify its mix.
-end
quote Wards- 2009 Vibe
General Motors Corp. will accelerate production of its redesigned ’09 Pontiac Vibe by at least two months, a move meant to satisfy an advanced timetable for the ’09 Toyota Matrix and growing consumer demand for choices in the upper-small car segment.
The 6-year-old Vibe and Matrix share a common platform. The Vibe is built at New United Motor Mfg. Inc., a Fremont, CA-based facility operated jointly by GM and Toyota Motor Corp. The Matrix is produced at Toyota’s Cambridge, ON, Canada, plant.
Toyota wants to update the Matrix because it has attracted families, rather than younger buyers the auto maker originally sought.
“The styling does not have the sense of motion about it,” says Mike O’Brien, head of product planning for Toyota Motor Co. USA, during a recent industry event in Michigan. “It’s a bit boxy. And it just does not have the appeal to young people that we had hoped for.”
In speeding the Matrix redo, production of the ’09 Vibe now will begin in first-quarter 2008, ahead of a typical NUMMI production turnover in mid-second quarter.
“They are sister vehicles, so the timing that would affect one vehicle would affect the other,” a GM spokesman tells Ward’s.
In GM’s case, the earlier the redesigned hatchback arrives the better. More fresh choices in its fuel-sipping small-car portfolio could help diversify its mix.
-end
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Finally!
Pontiac gave me a free poster that said "Available in dealerships end of January, 2008" on the bottom. The guy I talked to who was handing them out and talking about the Vibe said it would be in dealerships by early February. I guess we'll wait and see what happens!
Any info? Thanks.
It looks very nice I might add. Just a bit smoother and less chunky. I hope they have some way to store the headrests and cargo cover though. That was the #1 complaint of the old one that I had. A little reworking of the plastic and it would be simple.
Oh - and if anyone from Toyota/GM is reading this...
GIVE US LEATHER AS AN OPTION.
My mother is holding off on a new car purchase right now until the Vibe comes out but leather is a big selling point for her. She wants it to have at least a little bit of luxury feel to it - without having to get the GT model.
However, the poster they gave me definitely says at the bottom, "Available in dealerships, end of January, '08" Of course, it's just a poster, and was probably printed months ago.
I haven't seen or heard anything yet either. Par for the course with GM product launches.
1. The 2.4 liter motor is much quieter and smoother than my 2005's 1.8 liter. It was more peppy, but still not "race car" by any means. The car had the 5-speed automatic, which shifted smoothly. My 2005 is a manual, so I can't compare the difference in the 5-speed auto from the current 4-speed.
2. As many on several blogs and posts I have seen have mentioned, the gauge cluster seems kind of weird. It's quite similar in terms of color and appearance to the current cluster, but of course there is that "odd" rectangular thing housing the fuel and temp gauges now. Personally, I think they should have just left it as three circles, but that's just my opinion.
3. I was not impressed with the radio controls. The radio (premium on this car) had great sound, but the radio itself reminded me of the late model Chrysler's that were all silver buttons with illumination forming the "words" rather than paint or white on black. Not my thing.
4. The front seat was very roomy and the seats were more comfortable than the current Vibe. This car had black leather with "GT" stiched in the seatback. It was very soft and very premium in appearance.
5. The back seat was NOT as roomy or comfortable as the current Vibe. The roof was much lower, and sloped down in the rear. As you face the front, the roof visibly dips behind the center light toward the back seat. I wasn't uncomfortable, but I definitely felt more cramped than I do in my current Vibe. The back seat also seemed lower and I didn't feel like I was sitting up as high as I do in my Vibe.
6. The cargo area was a little bit smaller, but not noticeably so. There are no "lock-down" tracks like there are in the current Vibe. Where those are, there are rubber "grip strips" instead. Also, the rear window no longer opens on it's own. The hatch opening is not as wide either.
7. The GT model has very cool ground effects, but they make the car run very low to the ground. For someone in a snowy state like me, that could be an issue. The back end of the car actually seems to sit higher than the current Vibe.
8. In terms of driving impressions - like I said, I didn't get a chance to actually drive it for very long, and didn't have time to take it out on the freeway. It seemed quieter, and the ride seemed rather firm, which may be because it was the GT model.
Let me know if you have any questions about anything in particular that I missed or overlooked. The dealer said they had the car for about a week, but weren't selling it because it's the only one they have currently. He said 7 more were supposed to arrive next week, including some all-wheel drive models.
If you live in Michigan, it's at Sawyer's Pontiac on Michigan Avenue in Lansing. He said as far as he knew, it was the only 2009 Vibe that had been delivered to Michigan so far. Of course, he may have just wanted me to think that! :-)
Overall, a very nice car, and a very nice upgrade. I might consider it later down the road, but I'll keep my 2005 until it's at least paid for!
http://autos.mlive.com/Autos?tp=TR_mlive&category=search&temp_type=detail&tl=3&l- isting_id=150328232&dealer_id=487372&from=more_inventory
Say, what was the price on the test vehicle?
GM has reduced the starting price on the '09's, so even with the $3000 rebate, the '09's may potentially still be less than an '08, depending of course on model choice and options. That could cause quite a problem also.
I wonder if they are still making 2008's, or if the production run has ended completely? NUMMI is a big plant, but I'm assuming since it's the only place that Vibes are made that once the transition is made, they can't manufacture both. That would mean quite a limited number of 2008's, depending on when they went on sale in 2007.
Model years can be so confusing. They should just do away with them completely and sell the cars. Keep track of the selling date to know how "old" a car is, instead of going by model years that are really pretty useless in determining a car's age. I had a 2000 Ford Contour that I bought in August of 2001 - brand new. Helped a lot on the resale value because the miles seemed "low" for a 2000 model, even though it didn't start acquiring miles until late in 2001.
I thought the base was available with the 5-speed auto IF you upgrade to the 2.4 liter motor. Of course, how many will be made that way? They may limit the number to try and push buyers toward the GT.
My perfect choice would be base, 2.4, 5-speed auto, with all the safety features standard and standard independent rear suspension. I think I can get that in the new Vibe, except for the suspension. How about the anti-lock brakes? I've seen in one spot that it's standard across the line, and in another that it's optional across the line. Anyone know?
'Between the Vibe and the Matrix, I'd take the Vibe for its longer warranty and better looks. The Matrix offers an optional GPS navigation system that the Vibe doesn't get, but that wouldn't be enough to sway me.'
I don't know if this arrangement is likely to change for Pontiac's benefit. I'd be most content without the navigation system. What I'm really hoping is that the base model will at least offer the option of steering wheel controls that operate my iPod--a feature sorely lacking on my '05 Corolla. I'd also like the larger engine and the roof rack, which I've always liked on the previous model.
STILL waiting for GM to update the Pontiac website to reflect the 'build and price' feature for the new Vibe as well. What's taking these guys so long? Am I too impatient?
That Sawyer dealership may have sold his 09's as there are none listed at the website.