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.

GM Kills High-Performance Trims for 2010

Throughout the day, we’ve been seeing reports surface online of GM killing high-performance trim levels of a few models across its brands. We contacted the company and can now confirm that a number of these stories are indeed true.

The least surprising cancellation is the Pontiac G6 GXP, which will not see a 2010 model year. It sported a slightly more powerful V-6 engine than the G6 GT and a six-speed automatic.

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.

Recall Alert: 2005-06 Pontiac G6

GM has issued a recall for 8,012 Pontiac G6 vehicles from the 2005 and 2006 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Corrosion in a wiring connector in the brake lamps may cause those lamps to fail during braking.

Also, the faulty wiring may prevent the cruise control from functioning and make the vehicle more difficult to shift out of Park. Of course, the greatest danger is that other drivers may not have a warning when the driver of the G6 attempts to brake.

Dealers will apply a lubricant to the wiring to prevent corrosion, free of charge.

Owners can contact Pontiac at 800-620-7668 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.

Up Close: 2009.5 Pontiac G6

Pontiac has restyled the exterior and interior of its G6 midsize car, and we had a chance to check it out for the first time at the Los Angeles auto show.

The restyled grille and front bumper are more aggressive-looking and have more mesh-covered vents. Pontiac says the styling was inspired by the automaker's flagship G8 sedan, and the resemblance is there.

Interior changes include new graphics for the gauges. The G6 also gains GM's center control panel for the audio and climate systems, and the new layout is an improvement over what was there previously.

The changes take the G6 in the direction it needs to go, but there are still nicer midsize cars available, including GM's own Chevrolet Malibu. The updated G6 hits dealerships in January with a starting price of $19,945 for the base sedan. The coupe, meanwhile, starts at $22,890, and the retractable-hardtop convertible is priced at $32,970.

More photos below.