of four brands priced and designed to fill the gaps. Cadillac would introduce the LaSalle to fill the gap between Cadillac and Buick. Buick would introduce the Marquette to handle the upper end of the gap between Buick and Oldsmobile. Oldsmobile would introduce the Viking, which took care of the lower end of the same gap. Oakland's part in this plan was the 1926 Pontiac, a shorter-wheelbase "light six" priced to sell at a four-cylinder car's price point, but still above Chevrolet. Pontiac was the first of the companion marques introduced, and in its first year sold 49,875 units. By 1929, GM sold 163,000 more Pontiacs than Oaklands. The discontinuation of Oakland was announced with the onset of the Great Depression in 1931. Pontiac was the only companion make to survive beyond 1940, or to survive its "parent" make. References External links Pontiac-Oakland Club International Oakland Company Factory photograph, 1907 Oakland Automobiles 1920 1931 Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Michigan Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States 1900s cars 1910s cars 1920s cars Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1907 Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1931 General Motors marques Pontiac Defunct brands 1907 establishments in Michigan 1931 disestablishments in Michigan Defunct manufacturing companies based in Michigan Brass Era vehicles Vintage vehicles 1930s cars Pre-war vehicles Cars introduced in 1907