GM to redesign Pontiac G8, move production after just two years?

Earlier this week, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz confirmed GM would import a rebadged version of the Holden Commodore to America as the Pontiac G8 -- a replacement for the Grand Prix. The car is expected to debut at the Chicago auto show in February, and go on sale shortly thereafter. The Commodore is the first car built on GM's new rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform, which will also underpin the Chevy Camaro and other vehicles. The G8 will be built in Australia alongside the Commodore, and shipped to America.

But the G8 will only come from Australia for a short time, according to a report by the Detroit Free Press. GM will move production of the G8 to its plant in Oshawa, Ontario, in 2009, where it also plans to build the new Camaro, the newspaper said.

What's more, the Oshawa-built G8 will reportedly get "unique Pontiac styling." Initially, the Australian-built G8 will merely sport a Pontiac grille and badging. The "second-generation" G8 will share less sheetmetal with the Holden, if the report is to be believed. While is very unusual for an automaker to introduce a new design after only two years, GM might be using this strategy to get the G8 to market quickly, and refine the styling later.