Pontiac Is Long Gone, And Now Its Headquarters May Be Next

GM's Excitement Division

Had Pontiac survived General Motors' culling of the brands during the global financial crisis, the Excitement Division should've turned 100 this year. We all know it wasn't meant to be, as GM closed it down on October 31, 2026. Also shut down were Saturn and Hummer, while Saab was sold off but eventually went bust.

It's still a bit of a shame that Pontiac had to go as one of its final models, the G8, held a lot of potential. Had it been allowed to continue, it could've ended up saving Holden if it succeeded, but we'll never know the answer to that, as even Holden was axed in 2020.

Its Building Still Stands - For Now

Despite the marque's demise over 15 years ago, its headquarters still stands today. Located in Pontiac, Michigan, it was originally known as One Pontiac Plaza and was home to the automaker's marketing, sales, and promotional divisions. It was eventually used for GM's powertrain division, later called GM Global Propulsion Systems. Today, that branch of GM has been merged into broader product development groups, and the building has been vacant since 2020.

It's a piece of American automotive history, for sure, but even that doesn't spare it from facing the wrecking ball. As reported by the Detroit Free Press, GM is poised to tear down the building. "Its removal is part of ongoing site improvements to optimize our footprint and align with our business strategy. The demolition work will be carried out under a detailed plan designed to prioritize safety, minimize disruption to nearby employees and community neighbors, and meet or exceed all applicable environmental and local regulatory requirements," said GM spokesperson, Kevin Kelly.

What Happens Next?

For now, GM isn't saying what it plans to do with the lot once the building has been leveled. However, the automaker said that plans for its future use will be disclosed once the demolition efforts are closer to completion, which is slated for before the end of 2027. Of course, there's also the question of whether GM will repurpose the property or sell it outright.

As reported by Automotive News, Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuinness said that GM had not yet applied for a demolition permit at the time of writing. That probably won't save the building, though, as the company seems keen on knocking it down either way. But while the headquarters will be torn down, at least one can visit the Pontiac Transportation Museum to soak in the history of the once-fabled brand.

View the full article