Though it's legacy is complicated, there's no denying that the Pontiac Fiero has left it's mark on the automotive world. From its sleek design to the lightweight metal of its body, the vehicle has become a staple for those looking to take on the task of fixing up a vintage car. Of course, things weren't always like this.
So what exactly are the complications in the Pontiac Fiero's history?
Competitive Beginnings
The conception of the Pontiac Fiero, like most things, was bred out of a want to compete in the ever-changing marketplace. According to an article on AutoTrends Magazine on the history of the Pontiac Fiero, the vehicle was originally designed to match the growing trend of sports-cars at the time. The article goes onto specify that General Motors, the produces of the Pontiac Fiero, made the model "with the intent to develop a high-volume commuter car with sports-car-handsome looks."
This means that to reach their goal, developers had to design a car that perfectly emulated the feel of a sports-car while offering the practicality that those models typically lack. And, in 1984, the first model of the Pontiac Fiero was finally available for sale.
First Impressions And Fleeting Popularity
Despite not being as versatile as General Motors initially intended, the Pontiac Fiero turned out to be an initial success. According to an article on the car-centered website Genuine Parts about the history of the Pontiac Fiero, the vehicle sold 136,840 units within its first year and even got a spot in Cars & Drivers 10 Best List. However, this wildfire type of success just wasn't meant to last. Over the next four years, G.M. would see a steady decline in interest and purchases of the Pontiac Fiero despite constantly updating the car's model. People were just no longer enchanted by the promise of a practical sports-car and, as stated in the previously mentioned article, "sales would never eclipse the level set in 1984."
The Pontiac Fiero Used To Catch On Fire
Of course, a drop in public interest isn't the only thing that contributed to the Pontiac Fiero's decline in sales. A multitude of widely reported technical errors were also driving away potential buys in droves. The biggest, of course, being the engine fires.
According to an article from the Los Angeles Times about the investigation of the Pontiac Fiero engine fires, the fires were caused by oil leaking into the engine and combusting as the engine heated up. The article goes on to mention that G.M. received over 140 complaints about the issue, which included six injuries. The company finally issued a mass recall of all Pontiac Fiero models in 1987, but the damage had already been done. The vehicle went out of production just a year later and hasn't been manufactured since.