Bonneville and Envoy XUV to be Canned by End of Year?

Two Models May Get Dropped for Different Reasons

In a bid to cut its losses and regain a steady footing in its home market, General Motors has reassessed its action plans in

Reckoning day is quickly approaching for two GM vehicles - the range-topping Pontiac Bonneville sedan and the quirky GMC Envoy XUV. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

North America. The result: reckoning day is quickly approaching for two GM vehicles - the range-topping Pontiac Bonneville sedan and the quirky GMC Envoy XUV. Both vehicles could be on the chopping block within a matter of months, but for different reasons.

Since the demise of the Caprice-based Parisienne sedan in the '80s, the Bonneville has been Pontiac's largest sedan, acting as the range topper. This may no longer be the case, as a decision will be made in three months whether or not the vehicle will be dropped

The Bonneville has actually sold well, considering the general decline of the large sedan segment. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

at the end of the 2005 model year.

The Bonneville has actually sold well, considering the general decline of the large sedan segment. According to Jim Bunnell, Pontiac-GMC marketing general manager, 29,852 units were sold in 2004, up from 25,250 in 2003. So why kill it?

The issue in this case is not with the vehicle itself, but with the GM retail chain strategy. With the demise of Oldsmobile, GM is pushing for more of its U.S. dealerships to 'combine', creating more Buick-Pontiac-GMC stores. Currently, 48 percent of Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealers sell all three brands, but GM wants more.