Their last big attention getter was the GTO muscle car, but going into the 80's they wanted to try something different. So in 1979 they first started designs of a prototype that would lead to the Fiero. The designers were given a not so simple assignment to come of designing an affordable sports car. By 1981 GM finally gave them a go ahead to start on the chassis and drive train as soon as they finalized the body designs. At this point in time General Motors told the Pontiac engineers that the Fiero must have a suspension that would make it handle better then a Ferrari. They decided that the best way to better up the competition was to improve on their design. So later on that year General Motors purchased two brand new Ferraris so that Pontiac engineers could study and make better the suspension systems. .
After figuring out the suspension system the designers and engineers went to work on the interior. They wanted to keep it simple, but unique so the gauges and controls were put in places to give off a different feel and make them easy to reach. The seats are also very unique and have a very racey design. There low slung high back bucket seats just wrap around you as you lean back. These seats are still found in various cars today and used as a favorite in street rods. "GM ended up spending over $300 million to research and produce the Fiero." (Pontiac Press. Classicfiero.com).
In 1984 the Fiero made its public debut making record sales its first year. The base model had a sticker price around $6,000 but due to its popularity some were selling for over $10,000 at dealers across the US. The Fiero was so popular that over 10,000 of them were sold to factory workers who were making the cars on the assembling line. This was a first time problem for GM and hasn't had the same problem sense. .
After the debut in 1984 GM paid close attention to Fiero owners listening and trying to learn what they could improve upon.