Pontiac Torrent Stirs Tribal Controversy

Source: GM Media
Unclaimed "Survivor" Vehicles Up for Grabs in Four-Day Promotion

Detroit - The Pontiac Torrent played a key role in a crucial decision by one contestant on Thursday night's episode of CBS' "Survivor: Guatemala, The Maya Empire" that changed the course of the show, and left four Torrents unclaimed. As a result, fans now have the chance to win one of those vehicles in a special four-day promotion.

After winning a reward challenge, Florida zookeeper Cindy Hall was given a choice: keep a new 2006 Pontiac Torrent for herself, or give a Torrent to each of the other four remaining contestants. Weighing heavily on her decision is the concept of a Survivor "car curse" -- no contestant who has won a car in the past 10 seasons has gone on to win the one million dollar top prize.

"It was this fan buzz about a 'car curse' that led to our discussion with Survivor producers about an opportunity for the Torrent to become more than just a prize on the show," said Mark-Hans Richer, Pontiac marketing director. "Cindy's decision on whether to keep the Torrent or give one to each of her competitors became a key plot point and significantly adds to the drama of episode, creating a more memorable moment for the fans."

Cindy's decision to keep the Torrent for herself set the stage for the other contestants to vote her off the show at the conclusion of the episode. Although it appears that the "car curse" may still be intact, Cindy did walk away with a Torrent, and four lucky fans now have the same chance.

Between Friday, December 9, and Monday, December 12, Pontiac will be giving away the four Torrents not awarded on the show. During those four days, fans who visit their local Pontiac dealership will be given a special Survivor "scroll" with a unique ID number. When they input that number at www.Pontiac.com/Survivor, they will see if they have won a new Torrent. One Torrent will be awarded on each of the four days of the promotion.

Even those who do not win can still score a 2006 Torrent at special pricing until January 3. During this special sale period, a front-wheel drive Torrent starts at just $20,906. An all-wheel drive model starts at $22,695.