In Hot Pursuit of Import Customers
What's a
Pursuit? Well, if you're from the U.S.A. it probably won't mean much of anything unless you've been surfing the
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| The new Pontiac Pursuit will be replacing the aging Sunfire in GM Canada's sportiest entry-level division. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
message boards filled with frustrated consumers wishing they had the opportunity to buy Pontiac's latest compact sedan. The Pursuit, which effectively replaces the aging Sunfire in GM Canada's sportiest entry-level division, is integral to success north of the 49th where small cars regularly account for more than 50 percent of new vehicle sales - except for Quebec where compact dominance reaches 65 to 70 percent. Such is not the case south of the border, therefore no Pursuit. Pontiac's highly touted new
G6 will be the U.S. division's entry car, despite its midsize dimensions.
But why should Americans care if they can't get it? Isn't the new compact merely a 2005 Chevy Cobalt with a new grille and Pontiac badging on the steering wheel hub? Well, yes and no. While that point sums up the car's
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| The Pursuit and Cobalt are both a step up from most competitors in this class when it comes to interior quality, and light years ahead of their predecessors. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
basic architecture, engineering and the majority of its sheetmetal, there are a few extras in the Pursuits corner that give it a distinctive character when compared side by side with its bowtie cousin. For starters there are unique white-face sport gauges in the instrument cluster, a nice complement to the racy red exterior paint finish of my loaner. The interior is also highlighted by brushed nickel-colored accents, a step up from the standard black plastic of the Cobalt. Actually, the Pursuit and Cobalt are both a step up from most competitors in this class when it comes to interior quality, and light years ahead of their predecessors. Everything fits together well, is ergonomically correct and attractive to look at.
