THE LAST G6

It is hard to say good bye to an old friend and that is what the Pontiac G6 has been to Orion Assembly, an old friend. This fine auto was never given the respect that it deserved by the media or the company. It was sent forth to replace the Pontiac Grand Am but it cost a lot more than the utility minded Grand Am, that placed it in the market arena of the Grand Prix. Some dealers leased them for the same price. Then came the Pontiac G5, the real replacement for the Grand Am, and our bread and butter had no space of its own in the market place. It competed with the G5 and the Grand Prix and still had to take on the Camry and Accord. The G6 held its own thanks to the efforts of the Orion Autoworkers who made it one of the top quality cars in its segment. It was a gas sipping, stylish vehicle that was kicked off by none other than Oprah herself but with all that the little car had to accomplish, the deck was stacked against it. Now, the 6 has been silenced but will forever live in the hearts and minds of each UAW Local 5960 autoworker who put a little of themselves into every G6 built. We say goodbye on this day but we raise our hands to the little car that could. The G6 deserved better but we faithful at UAW Local 5960 will take the lessons learned from this experience and become smarter and better equipped to compete in the market place with a new car and a new factory; Orion Assembly, Factory of the Future.