GM is a huge automaker, who owns several other big name badges like Chevrolet and Cadillac, but even big companies make mistakes. GM shut down one of the greatest names, Pontiac in 2010, they also shut down Oldsmobile in 2004. Oldsmobile wasn't a surprise, they went away from the sportier Cutlass and 442, and at the end they made dull cars, that had no soul, no heritage. Pontiac on the other hand was making a comeback, they had the Grand Am and Grand Prix, both of which sold decent, but they went back to their roots when the resurrected the GTO badge.
If you're not from the US you may not be familiar with the GTO name, but here in the states it's an icon. Everyone has heard of American muscle, well the GTO is the daddy. Letting a name like that go is crazy, sure Chevy has the Camaro and the Corvette, but the GTO is just as big. Most cars are going to a front wheel drive layout, which is fine for most, but some of us still love the feel of a rear wheel drive.
Speaking of the Camaro, another huge name lost with Pontiac is the Trans Am, which used the same platform as the Camaro, but was always a bit more sexier, and at one point offered a bigger engine. Since the reintroduction of the Camaro, fans of the Trans Am have wanted a modern take, so much so there are companies out there who will convert your Camaro to a TA. I doubt GM will ever bring back the Pontiac name, and I'm not sure why. I think the better option would've been to kill off Buick, and keep Pontiac alive, because Buick will never give us another GNX, their offerings consist of family cars and crossovers.
