High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Pontiac Astre is a subcompact automobile that was produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors. Essentially a rebadged Chevrolet Vega, it was introduced in Canada for the 1973 model year and sold there exclusively through 1974. It debuted in the U.S. for the 1975 model year, competing with other domestic and foreign subcompacts that included the Mercury Bobcat and Toyota Corolla.