Понтиак Азтек: Сән мен функционалдықтың қайшылығы

First shown to the public in 1999, the Pontiac Aztek concept car was well received. It featured "Xtreme" futuristic styling and promised maximum versatility in support of a young and active lifestyle for its intended "Generation X" buyer demographic. The Aztek went on sale in summer 2000 as a 2001 model. The production edition of the Aztek was launched with the tagline "Quite possibly the most versatile vehicle on the planet" in conjunction with CBS's hit reality show Survivor in 2000.

The Aztek was styled under the direction of Tom Peters, who would later design the Chevrolet Corvette (C7). According to an analysis in 2000, BusinessWeek said the Aztek was to signal a design renaissance for GM, James Hall, vice president at AutoPacific Inc

A poll in The Daily Telegraph in August 2008 placed the Aztek at number one of the "100 ugliest cars" of all time. An article by Edmunds. com placed the car first of the "100 Worst Cars of All Time" not only because of its styling but also because it "destroyed an 84 year old automaker." Time magazine in 2007 named the Aztek one of the 50 worst cars of all time (adding that underneath "was a useful, competent crossover"), and again in 2010 as one of the 50 worst inventions of all time.

The Aztek was produced at General Motors' Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, assembly plant, where it shared an assembly line with the Buick Rendezvous. In Canada, it filled the gap left since the Sunrunner's discontinuation in 1997, while in the US and Mexico it was the first Pontiac badged SUV ever sold. At launch, the Aztek was available with either front wheel drive or Versatrak, a full time, fully automatic all wheel drive system which provided traction in the snow or rain and could handle moderately rough off road surfaces. The Aztek was one of the first automobiles to be designed entirely using computerized rapid prototyping/rapid visualization tools. The dashboard was designed by Johnson Controls, and featured Pontiac's trademark red lighting scheme along with an optional heads up display. The Aztek was able to carry within its interior a standard 4 feet (1 m) by 8 feet (2 m) sheet of plywood and was available with two rear cargo area options: a pull out cargo tray that held up to that rolled on built in wheels when removed from the vehicle, or a versatile cargo net system that held up to and could be configured (a claimed) 22 different ways. Options included a center console that doubled as a removable cooler and a tent/inflatable mattress package that, along with a built in air compressor, allowed the Aztek to double as a camper. Extending this image was a seat back mounted backpack, and a number of specialty racks for bicycles, canoes, snowboards, and other such items. An optional 10 speaker Pioneer stereo system provided a set of controls located at the rear of the vehicle for tail gate parties as well as an unusual 2 piece tailgate with built in cup holders and contoured seating area for added comfort.

Calendar year U. S. Mexico 2000 11,201 2001 27,322 2002 27,793 2003 27,354 2004 20,588 2005 5,020 90 2006 347 2007 69

GM forecast sales of up to 75,000 Azteks per year and needed to produce 30,000 annually to break even. Just 27,793 were sold in 2002, which was the model's best selling year. Pricing of the Aztek was also an issue at launch: the vehicle was too expensive for its intended "Generation X" audience and was priced significantly higher than competing vehicles. After the 2001 model year, the GT model was dropped and pricing was slashed, in addition to extremely generous rebates and cut rate financing instituted by GM in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The Aztek had among the highest CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) scores in its class, and won the appellation of "Most Appealing Entry Sport Utility Vehicle" in 2001 from J. D. Power and Associates, an independent consumer survey organization which noted: "The Aztek scores highest or second highest in every APEAL component measure except exterior styling." Matthew DeBord of The Big Money argued that despite its poor reviews and sales, the Aztek was the car that, in the long run, could save GM. He praised GM for being daring and trying to create an entirely new market in vehicles, rather than simply copying successful formulas. He argued that the Aztek's failure is similar to the failure of the Apple's Newton and Mac Portable – two failed products that revolutionized the computer industry and became the basis for later successful products made by Apple. The car was featured through a tie in in the sci fi show Dark Angel in 2000–02. Walter White, the lead character of the 2008 crime TV show Breaking Bad, drove an Aztek. Jalopnik called it "one of the perfect examples of car casting in TV" and noted that the show had White's Aztek repainted in a unique "gray beige green tone" to match White's character's original job as a mild mannered high school chemistry teacher. In 2015, Edmunds ranked the Aztek sixth among U. S. used car buyers aged 18 to 34, crediting the "Breaking Bad Effect" for making the car cool. The Aztek's "Design by Committee" was criticized in Steve McConnell's software design book, Code Complete 2.

All new model available as base model and GT both in front wheel drive and all wheel drive, the latter boasting an independent rear suspension. In February 2001, a red Aztek served as the pace car for the Daytona 500.

Cladding smoothed and changed to body colored, front marker light/indicators changed from amber to clear, spoiler added to rear glass gate. GT model discontinued.

Aztek "Rally Edition" introduced, which was an option package which featured a lowered front suspension, a larger rear spoiler, body colored grille and 17 inch chrome wheels. Though some regarded it as a model of its own, since it would resurface the Rally name to GM since the discontinuation of the GMC Rally. DVD entertainment system, XM satellite radio and a tire pressure monitoring system added to the options list.

A CD/MP3 player became an available option. A Limited Edition model was available, with standard leather trimmed seats, a higher grade stereo system, a rear spoiler, aluminum interior trim, standard heads up display, and an adjustable 6 way driver's seat.

In its final model year, the Aztek gained hands free operation of its On Star system. Exterior color offerings also changed. The Aztek was discontinued after the 2005 model year, and was replaced by the Theta platform Pontiac Torrent. The Aztek's production line in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, was retooled to receive the assembly of the Chevrolet HHR, although Buick Rendezvous production continued for another two years. The last Pontiac Aztek finally rolled off the assembly line on August 31, 2005.