GM 72-Hour Sale: 0% for 72 Months

Maybe GM’s math skills got them into the trouble they’re in. Their just announced 72-hour sale starts today and runs through July 6, which is 144 hours by our count. Maybe they wanted to tie the sale name in with the sale terms, namely 0% financing for 72 months on select models for those buyers who qualify.

Included 2009 and 2010 models in the 0% for 72-months term are: Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra regular, extended and crew cab light-duty pickups; Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL SUVs; Chevrolet Impala; and the Pontiac Vibe, G3, G5, G6 and G8.

Other models have separate incentives you can find here.

What the End of Pontiac Means To You

Today GM announced it would stop producing new Pontiac models by the end of 2010. This is the end of an era for the once-proud performance brand, but it also leaves a lot of questions for car shoppers and Pontiac owners.

We talked to Jim Hopson, Pontiac’s manager of communications, this morning to clarify GM’s statement. He said that Pontiac will continue to operate normally even with today’s announcement. All warranty work will be completed as usual; any new Pontiacs sold will have the same full warranty they did last week, one which has the backing of the U.S. government. The government's backing is to help ensure consumers that its safe to still purchase new GM cars while the company seeks to restructure. Only cars purchased through May get the government-backed warranty.

GM will continue to make parts for Pontiac models indefinitely and most Pontiac dealers also sell the Buick and GMC brands and will continue to operate. The automaker still produces replacement parts for the defunct Oldsmobile, which GM shuttered in 2004.

What Hopson couldn’t say was when certain models would be phased out.

The current Pontiac lineup reads as follows, including how many days of inventory was sitting on lots as of April 1.

• Pontiac G3: 617 days of inventory
• Pontiac G5: 443 days of inventory
• Pontiac G6: 83 days of inventory
• Pontiac G8: 92 days of inventory
• Pontiac Solstice: 276 days of inventory
• Pontiac Vibe: 149 days of inventory
• Pontiac Torrent: 99 days of inventory

The national average for all brands is 83 days of inventory.

We detail specific information on Pontiac models below.

GM Announces Pricing for Sierra Hybrid, Silverado Hybrid, Pontiac G3

GM released pricing information for two of its upcoming 2009 models, including its hybrid pickup trucks. The 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid will start at $39,365 for a 3HA model. The Sierra Hybrid has a fuel economy rating of 21/22 mpg city/highway for the 2WD model, while the 4WD is estimated at 20/20 mpg.

The 3HB model will go for $45,500 and include amenities like a Bose sound system, rear-park assist and leather bucket seats. A $2,200 federal tax credit is available for Sierra Hybrid buyers.

The 2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid (pictured) will start at $38,995, including a $975 destination charge, for the 2WD 1HY model and $45,130 for the 2HY model, which like the Sierra upgrade includes navigation, leather seats and rear-park assist. The Silverado gets a combined fuel economy rating of 21 mpg from the EPA.

Meanwhile, the Pontiac G3 hatchback will start at $14,995 when it hits showrooms in March 2009. The G3 has a fuel economy rating of 34 mpg on the highway, making it Pontiac's fourth vehicle that gets better than 32 mpg.

2009 Pontiac G3: Just Another Aveo

Pontiac is going to add a version of the four-door Chevy Aveo hatchback to its lineup next spring, to be called the G3. Pontiac already markets a G3 Wave in Canada and now will offer it as simply the G3 in the U.S.

"The G3 gives us a credible new high-mileage entry-level car at a time when small cars are the fastest-growing segment in the industry," Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson said.

Sure, but isn’t Pontiac supposed to be the high-performance excitement division at General Motors?