Here’s how the Pontiac Aztek was the result of GM’s “more innovation” plan

In this episode I provide the history of the Pontiac Aztek, probably the most infamous Pontiac model ever produced. Desperate to move away from their boring car image, the 2001 Aztek was GM's first crossover, and had so many unique features aimed at young active lifestyle buyers. But GM forced the designers to build off their existing minivan platform, resulting in a tall boxy shape with the most bizarre front and rear. Initially with lots of grey body cladding, the Aztek was updated 5 months later to change the grey cladding to body color, but it was too little too late. Buick also offered the Rendezvous on the same platform, but with a less ugly face, it sold twice as well as the Aztek, and lasted through 2007, despite the Aztek being killed in 2005.