GM Cancels Sport Truck

DETROIT -- General Motors (GM Quote) has canceled plans to build the Pontiac G8 sport truck that was scheduled to go on sale this year.

The decision to scrap the two-door vehicle with a six-foot bed that's reminiscent of the Chevrolet El Camino was reported Tuesday by trade publication Automotive News.

Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson confirmed the decision Wednesday, saying it's part of GM's "ongoing review" related to its long-term viability plan. Hopson says the sport truck didn't fit with the company's vision for Pontiac.

Hopson says the decision doesn't affect production plans for other G8s, including the G8 sedan, G8 GT and G8 GXP.

Rapper 50 Cent helped introduce the sport truck and two other Pontiacs in March at the New York International Auto Show.

GM, along with Chrysler, are getting billions in federal loans from the U.S. Treasury Department. The loans require that the automakers submit a plan for viability by March 31.