Holden ute "didn't fit Pontiac's vision"

Order Canceled: Australian-built Pontiac G8 ST ute.

GM Holden's plant in Elizabeth was due to begin preparations for production of the Commodore-based Pontiac G8 ST within a few months, with deliveries scheduled to begin at the end of the year.

With a projected export of up to 5000 V8s a year, the decision will deal a blow to Holden's production base in Adelaide.

Detroit-based Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson said the decision to cancel the export program was made "as part of a vehicle review related to GM's long-term plans."

"The G8 ST was not in line with Pontiac's future vision as a sports car brand."

"However, this decision does not affect other Pontiac G8 models, including the recently released G8 GXP."

GM Holden spokesman Jonathan Rose confirmed that the program had been halted.

“We received this confirmation overnight,” he said. Even if the US market picks up this year, any decision to restart the ute export program remains with Pontiac, Rose said.

“It will clearly be a Pontiac decision,” he said.

Pontiac's decision does not affect exports of the G8 sedan based on the Commodore sedan. However, due to a slump in North American vehicle sales, Pontiac only sold 15,000 G8 vehicles, half of what was expected.

The North American and Middle East markets are GM Holden's most important export markets.