AUTOS

GM to Merge Pontiac, GMC Divisions: Detroit-based General Motors Corp. said the move is aimed at sharpening its marketing efforts. The merger will result in the new Pontiac-GMC Division, which will market cars and trucks in the United States through 3,736 franchised dealers. GM announced a plan in October to work with dealers to link all Pontiac and GMC franchises. Of the 2,870 Pontiac franchises, 1,585 are dual franchises with GMC. For some, new franchise arrangements will be created, and with others, they will be consolidated.