PET REMEMBRANCE

[GrandPrix08]

About couple weeks ago, I have actually mailed out a complaint letter that actually included some mean sentences, and to my surprice, they actually sent me a reply letter. It is nothing more than their automated letter it seems, that nothing much really make us Pontiac fans feel any better, but I decided to post it anyway. Here is what I wrote:

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Dear General Motors,

I got your letter saying you are killing Pontiac brand, and personally, I am writing this letter to Re-consider. Though, I know from the experience, that you guys/gals over at GMAC does not even CARE about what your potential customers would have to say, now that the decision is official, I would like to point out a few things that you may be interested in.

First of all, look at the stats of what the public thinks about the decision here, that is, IF you care about what your potential customers think and would even bother to make time to read it. Here:

http://www.newsvine.com/_question/2009/04/...n-to-ax-pontiac

Just look at the poll and read what they have to say. You will see that MOST people are not favorable about your decision. I know Chevy brand is your 'BABY' division with the most sales and profit, and that you even DESIGNED it to be that way, since all you do is give new models and stuffs to ONLY the Chevy Division, and what you give to Pontiac and others are just 'Badge' engineered copy of the Chevy to AVOID direct competion that might DAMAGE your precious Chevy sales, yeah, you thought us Pontiac fans didn't know huh?. Obviously you haven't learn about your past mistake killing Oldsmobile. Killing a brand won't solve anything. It may save you money for the short run for any reason, but for a long run, it will hurt you more. Because, all those loyal customers whom you may have thought would go to other divisions for their car shopping, will NOT. You have probably saw that result with the demise of the Oldsmobile. They did NOT stay in GM, but shopped elsewhere, let alone, the decision chased them away to buy imports instead.

Please re-consider. You still have until June 1,2009 to get things together to pick up where you left off, and be great again. Killing an 83 year old, heritage laden Pontiac is not the way to go. Though I know this letter may end up in the trash since I know General Motors won't really care about what a repeat Pontiac customer has to say since the company is almost broke, but it's the least I can do to try to ask you to give a re-consideration. GM without Pontiac to me is NOT a GM, it's just unthinkable to have GM without the once great performance Division of the red arrowhead and the mean looking twin port grille and the signature, aggressive feeling red on black litting gauges. Where else could I find those 'Characters'? As far as I can tell, no other GM division offer those, and if I want the red litting gauges, only BMW offers anything like it, but I simply CANNOT afford them.

As of this moment, unless the decision gets reversed, I am not comming back to GM for any of my future cars. I have had 3 Pontiacs since 1992, and a little more than a year ago, I finally got the Grand Prix I wanted for so long, since I did not like IMPORTED G8 and I had to get the last, TRUE North Amercan made Pontiac, but now, with your bad decision, I may not be able to get anymore new Pontiac even if I wanted to. I was kinda waiting to see how the next gen Firebird would come out looking like, the next AMERICAN GTO if it revives, not to mention the next, AMERICAN Bonneville, which could have been my 4th Pontiac.

I sure hope this letter isn't the only letter you get from the loyal Pontiac customers in reply to your letters sent to the Pontiac owners, and I really wish you give another thought about your decision. I admit some of my sentences above was kind of rude in a way, and I appologize, since I was very upset, frustrated, and angry to hear about the bad news. Pontiac CAN, and COULD do it again, it can become great again, with the right products that people want, it may go back to the image of what Pontiac was known for. The cars like the Grand Am, Grand Prix, Firebird, Bonneville, and GTO can get Pontiac get back on its feet. It's what the cars like imported G3, re-badged G5, and imported Vibe that really hurt the Pontiac reputation and image that dug its own hole. Bringing back Grand Am, Grand Prix, Bonneville, GTO, or even Fieros, along with current Solstice and getting back on race-tracks like NASCAR, Grandam race and others is the kind of news that I was expecting and wanted, not the DEATH of once a great make with rich history and heritage.

Don't stab the Pontiac's back. Give it the deserved respect and life-line so it lives again to see the glory of yester years again. It can do it. After economy picks up, Pontiac can really become an icon that it once was again.

Thank You.

-Michael Kwon
Proud Owner of 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix.

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Here is what they sent me in return:

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May 20, 2009

Michael Kwon
(my address, which I won't reveal)

Service Request Number: 71-724974098

Dear Michael,

We understand how the decision to phase out the Pontiac brand is incredibly painful for each member of our loyal customer base. Please know that every possible outcome was intensely studied before this decision was made. The agreement to discontinue the Pontiac line was equally as painful for every member of the Pontiac Team, from our corporate employees to the personnel at our local dealerships

Our goal now is to keep Pontiac owners aware of the following key facts:

Your Pontiac vehicle warranty coverage is completely unchanged and fully backed by GM. Once Pontiac has been phased out, owners will still be able to receive service on Pontiac vehicles at any Buick Pontiac GMC dealer. Pontiac parts will continue to be availiable for the foreseeable future.

In these difficult times, your satisfaction as a customer remains a key mission to us at Pontiac and General Motors. If we can be of any future assistance, please visit us online at pontiac.com or contact our Pontiac Customer Assistance Center at 800-762-2737. Customer Relationship Specialists are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Sincerely,

Respectfully,

Your Pontiac Team

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As you can tell, this is just their lame chain reply mail. It seems like they have already prepared these in a long time even before the decision was made to thwart any complaint letters so they don't have to read them, and just mail these excuses back as a reply.

I knew they were going to do that, but if you ever decide to mail them a letter yourself, you can too, and if you don't know, their address is:

Customer Assistance Center
Pontiac
P.O.Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172

All you would get is another junk reply mail like this, but at least you are standing up for this matter and letting them realize how foolish their decision was. You know, take a stance, and let them know what the guys/gals of GM have just failed at.

[jmlee0695]

the first part sounds like it might have been a little personal, with a few words changed around from other chain letters they send.

[Chieftain]

^^^ I have to agree.