Pontiac was an American automobile brand founded in 1926 as a companion marque to General Motors’ Oakland division. It quickly outpaced Oakland and became a standalone GM brand, known for affordable yet sporty vehicles. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Pontiac gained fame for its muscle cars, including the GTO, Firebird, and Trans Am, which became cultural icons. With a reputation for performance and youthful appeal, Pontiac was marketed as the “excitement” division of GM. However, declining sales and changing market trends led to the brand’s discontinuation in 2010.

25 Pontiac Questions

  • When was Pontiac founded?

  • Why was Pontiac created as a companion brand to Oakland?

  • What was the first model sold under the Pontiac name?

  • How did Pontiac become more successful than Oakland?

  • When did Pontiac become a standalone GM brand?

  • What made the Pontiac GTO iconic in the 1960s?

  • Who is often credited with creating the Pontiac GTO?

  • What role did Pontiac play in the muscle car era?

  • When was the Pontiac Firebird introduced?

  • How did the Pontiac Trans Am become a pop culture icon?

  • What TV and movie appearances featured Pontiac cars?

  • What performance features set Pontiac apart from Chevrolet?

  • What styling elements were unique to Pontiac cars?

  • How did the oil crisis of the 1970s affect Pontiac?

  • What was the significance of the Pontiac Fiero?

  • Why did Pontiac struggle in the 1980s and 1990s?

  • Which compact and midsize cars did Pontiac release in its later years?

  • What was the last Pontiac model produced?

  • When was the Pontiac brand officially discontinued?

  • How did GM market Pontiac compared to Buick and Chevrolet?

  • Which Pontiac models are considered collectible today?

  • What impact did Pontiac have on American car culture?

  • How did Pontiac influence the design of modern performance cars?

  • What role did Pontiac have in NASCAR and racing?

  • What legacy has Pontiac left in automotive history?