The internet has made the world different
In the early days of the internet, I remarked to someone that the whole concept of a World Wide Web was amazing and I thought the world would never be the same once the internet was more developed. “I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration,” he replied. “It’ll take more than that to change the world!” I wonder if he still thinks the world never changed because of the internet.
The world is about change
Now I am predicting that the world will never be the same after this recession. The world is always changing but the small changes are plastic and things return to where they were. But when there is major change, things never go back to where they were and we get used to living on some parallel course.
For instance, take payday loans in Illinois, a concept that surely grew out of a need caused by a change in the times. From now on there will always be payday loans in Illinois. That’s change.
A world without Pontiac will be different
Here’s another major change coming as a result of the recession. Remember the Pontiac, the once flagship of General Motors, the car known for its stylish sedans and sleek roadsters? Well they are about to be moved from the streets to the auto museums where our offspring can gape at them and say, “how could you drive around in a boat, Dad?” The Pontiac is one of the latest victims of General Motors’ struggle for survival.
Collateral damage
On Monday GM announced its plans for its 76th annual overhaul and service. This one will put 21,000 people out of work and bring about the death of Pontiac by the end of 2010.
“Pontiac”
The name Pontiac came from an American Indian warrior who led an unsuccessful uprising against the British after the French-Indian War in the mid-18th century. The first Pontiac hit the streets in 1926 and became a best seller within a year. The car was a hit for its styling, engineering and performance.
The Pontiac was an early gas guzzler in the days when gas was cheap; it had great legroom and appealed to a particular group of car lovers. It came from a great stable; remember its mates, Bonneville, Trans Am, Firebird, LeMans, Grand Am and Grand Prix?
Some of these models made auto history and are well-remembered, like the mid-sized GTO muscle car which was a champion street-drag and stock car racer back in the 60s and 70s with its powerful engine.
The other famous phase-outs
Another famous GM phase-out was the late Oldsmobile, the oldest surviving American automobile brand, and one of the oldest in the world, after Daimler and Peugeot. Gone, but not forgotten.
More phase-outs on the way
The demise of the Pontiac is not the only visible change that will result from this recession. GM is already looking to sell or phase out the Saab, Saturn and Hummer brands by the end of 2009. The Hummer is young in years compared to the Pontiac but it too, will bring change for many enthusiastic fans.
As for the Saab, the name is an acronym for “Swedish Aeroplane Limited” and the company was founded in 1937 in Sweden. The company was formed to manufacture airplanes, but sought to diversify and began manufacturing automobiles in the late 1940s. Their cars were great.
