Pontiac Solstice Gets Green Light

Detroit January 16, 2003; Mark Phaelan writing for the Detroit Free Press reported that General Motors Corp. said it plans to build the affordable Pontiac Solstice roadster it introduced as a concept car a year ago.

GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz said the rear-drive convertible would have to sell for less than $25,000 when he introduced the concept at the 2002 North American International Auto Show. The two-seat Solstice concept was equipped with a super-charged 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engine that produced 240 horsepower.

John Smith, GM group vice president for vehicle sales, service and marketing was quoted as saying, "We have every intention of bringing it to market, and bringing it to market to make a buck".

The report stated that it's not clear where GM would build the Solstice. The concept used the company's Delta architecture. That set of components is the basis of the Saturn Ion and Vue built in Spring Hill, Tenn., as well as the replacement for the current Chevrolet Cavalier, scheduled to be produced in Lordstown, Ohio.

Building the Solstice opens the door for GM to build other small convertibles, such as the Saturn Sky and Buick Bengal.