GM Exec: No Plans To Pull Saab Out Of North American Market; Line Is Profitable In US

Perian · 11-21-2008, 09:33 AM

Source: Special Automotive News Email Alert

John Revill - Automotive News Europe - November 21, 2008

Saab will remain in the North American market despite a sharp drop in sales so far this year. "The Saab brand is very attractive to U.S. consumers," said Managing Director Jan-Ake Jonsson. "There are no plans to pull out at all."

Jonsson reaffirmed Saab's commitment to the US market, despite a sales drop there of 31 percent to 19,318 units in the first 10 months.

Sales in Canada were down 20 percent to 1,593 units during the period.

"We have been in North America for 50 years, we have a very solid footprint and a large car park there." Jonsson told Automotive News Europe.

Sales in the U.S. had fallen because Saab was no longer chasing sales volumes at any cost, Jonsson said.

Despite falling sales, Saab is profitable in the U.S., Jonsson said.

He said: "The U.S. is a very important part of our strategy."

FierySolstice · 11-21-2008, 09:37 AM

Then sell them and sell them fast! Maybe make them part of a package deal with Hummer.

paul8488 · 11-21-2008, 09:42 AM

Aren't there like $8000 rebates on some Saab models? I have a tough time believing they're profitable... if they are then their MSRPs are RIDICULOUSLY over-inflated.

CamaroCrazy · 11-21-2008, 09:48 AM

I think Saab MSRP's are nuts. I really like the new 9-3, but it just seems so expensive (especially the Aero models). The price of the 9-5 is insane. There is no way that car is worth $40,000+. I assume part of the argument for that price is the manufacturing cost, exchange rate, or something.

On the other hand, I am very eager for the 9-4 and the new 9-5. Saab could be so much more....just seems like its taking forever to get there.

DW115 · 11-21-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroCrazy

I think Saab MSRP's are nuts. I really like the new 9-3, but it just seems so expensive (especially the Aero models). The price of the 9-5 is insane. There is no way that car is worth $40,000+. I assume part of the argument for that price is the manufacturing cost, exchange rate, or something.

On the other hand, I am very eager for the 9-4 and the new 9-5. Saab could be so much more....just seems like its taking forever to get there.

So is the Hyundai worth that type of money because its priced around there also and I think the Saab is a lot more vehicle

Quickening · 11-21-2008, 10:08 AM

Duh the MSRP are inflated. Buying a new Saab is ridiculously, thats why you find certified preowned with less than 10K miles and you get amazing deals.

ne_one · 11-21-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quickening

Duh the MSRP are inflated. Buying a new Saab is ridiculously, thats why you find certified preowned with less than 10K miles and you get amazing deals.

And apparently no one here has priced out a BMW or Mercedes lately.

Hoboken Tim · 11-21-2008, 10:21 AM

Saab is profitable because all of their models are so old, that the tooling has long been paid for.

Bokl · 11-21-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ne_one

And apparently no one here has priced out a BMW or Mercedes lately.

Why dont you compare saab 9-3 to bmw 3 or mercedes c-class or how about 9-5 to e-class and 5. You will see why Mercedes and BMW are more. There is no way that 9-5 is 40k+. Sales show that. GM should sell saab while they still can get some money for it. IF they wait any longer it will be another hummer that few years ago was worth something and now it is worthless. Nobody wants to buy it. This will be another mistake on GM CEO. You can reduce # of brands, get some cash but idiot rick does not want to do it.

godsthere · 11-21-2008, 10:42 AM

They should give Saab the Astra.

wescoent · 11-21-2008, 10:44 AM

I really like the looks of the new Saab 9-3... my only problem is those awful tail-lights.

skylark68 · 11-21-2008, 10:57 AM

Saab should be sold. It has little visibility in the market, and GM should use what dwindling resources it still has on its core brands. I agree with some of the posters that say package Saab with Hummer. It might make it a little more attractive to a buyer. Although the thought of an Indian Saab is kind of strange.

sdotjoe · 11-21-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DW115

So is the Hyundai worth that type of money because its priced around there also and I think the Saab is a lot more vehicle

Are you talking about the Genesis??? If so, you're off your rocker if you think any SAAB is comparable to it.

CamaroCrazy · 11-21-2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wescoent

I really like the looks of the new Saab 9-3... my only problem is those awful tail-lights.

No way! I love the clear tail lights!

CamaroCrazy · 11-21-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdotjoe

Are you talking about the Genesis??? If so, you're off your rocker if you think any SAAB is comparable to it.

Agreed. They both aim to be entry level lux vehicles, but the design and engineering of the cars is in two different leagues.

11-21-2008, 09:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Perian News Contributor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Drives: 2008 Saab 9-5 Sedan Posts: 4,627	GM Exec: No Plans To Pull Saab Out Of North American Market; Line Is Profitable In US Source: Special Automotive News Email Alert John Revill - Automotive News Europe - November 21, 2008 Saab will remain in the North American market despite a sharp drop in sales so far this year. "The Saab brand is very attractive to U.S. consumers," said Managing Director Jan-Ake Jonsson. "There are no plans to pull out at all." Jonsson reaffirmed Saab's commitment to the US market, despite a sales drop there of 31 percent to 19,318 units in the first 10 months. Sales in Canada were down 20 percent to 1,593 units during the period. "We have been in North America for 50 years, we have a very solid footprint and a large car park there." Jonsson told Automotive News Europe. Sales in the U.S. had fallen because Saab was no longer chasing sales volumes at any cost, Jonsson said. Despite falling sales, Saab is profitable in the U.S., Jonsson said. He said: "The U.S. is a very important part of our strategy."

11-21-2008, 09:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
FierySolstice 3.6 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Philadelphia Drives: 2007 Saturn Aura Posts: 1,192	Re: GM Exec: No Plans To Pull Saab Out Of North American Market; Line Is Profitable I Then sell them and sell them fast! Maybe make them part of a package deal with Hummer. __________________ The "New GM" is very boring... what happened to the driving excitement? 2013

11-21-2008, 09:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
paul8488 Firebird Concept (the turbine one) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: France Drives: 2006 Yamaha YBR 125 1990 Citroën Ax Posts: 14,550	Re: GM Exec: No Plans To Pull Saab Out Of North American Market; Line Is Profitable I Aren't there like $8000 rebates on some Saab models? I have a tough time believing they're profitable... if they are then their MSRPs are RIDICULOUSLY over-inflated. __________________ *It's been swell, but the swelling's gone down.*

11-21-2008, 09:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
CamaroCrazy 3.0 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cary, NC Drives: 1994 Camaro Z28 2000 Camaro Posts: 734	Re: GM Exec: No Plans To Pull Saab Out Of North American Market; Line Is Profitable I I think Saab MSRP's are nuts. I really like the new 9-3, but it just seems so expensive (especially the Aero models). The price of the 9-5 is insane. There is no way that car is worth $40,000+. I assume part of the argument for that price is the manufacturing cost, exchange rate, or something. On the other hand, I am very eager for the 9-4 and the new 9-5. Saab could be so much more....just seems like its taking forever to get there. __________________ Webshots: My Camaros, the Camaro Concepts, and the Sunoco Camaro in action at VIR The Typical Honda/Toyota driver: You are bland and boring and risk-averse. Not to mention you could care less about buying a foreign junk car. These are dependable cars, no doubt, but lack any substance or style. Crappy handling and worse styling. Screams "I have no style or class and live a boring, meager existence. Please let me get over into the exit lane." ~ Posted by Steve11115555 on Forbes.com

11-21-2008, 10:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
Quickening 6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Antonio, Texas Drives: 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero Posts: 6,025	Re: GM Exec: No Plans To Pull Saab Out Of North American Market; Line Is Profitable I Duh the MSRP are inflated. Buying a new Saab is ridiculously, thats why you find certified preowned with less than 10K miles and you get amazing deals. __________________ 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero

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11-21-2008, 10:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
Hoboken Tim 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hoboken, NJ Drives: 2008 Cadillac SRX 1992 GMC Safari 1941 Packard 1 Posts: 121	Re: GM Exec: No Plans To Pull Saab Out Of North American Market; Line Is Profitable I Saab is profitable because all of their models are so old, that the tooling has long been paid for.

11-21-2008, 10:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
godsthere 1.4 Liter Turbocharged ECOTEC Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 76	Re: GM Exec: No Plans To Pull Saab Out Of North American Market; Line Is Profitable I They should give Saab the Astra.

11-21-2008, 10:44 AM	#11 (permalink)
wescoent 6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,462	Re: GM Exec: No Plans To Pull Saab Out Of North American Market; Line Is Profitable I I really like the looks of the new Saab 9-3... my only problem is those awful tail-lights. __________________ "It's only when the tide goes out that you learn who's been swimming naked." -Warren Buffet(t)

11-21-2008, 10:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
skylark68 4.6 Liter Northstar V8 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pearland, TX Drives: 1989 GMC Suburban 1968 Buick Skylark 1972 Corvet Posts: 1,544	Re: GM Exec: No Plans To Pull Saab Out Of North American Market; Line Is Profitable I Saab should be sold. It has little visibility in the market, and GM should use what dwindling resources it still has on its core brands. I agree with some of the posters that say package Saab with Hummer. It might make it a little more attractive to a buyer. Although the thought of an Indian Saab is kind of strange. __________________ The Mechanic: You'd have yourself a real street-sweeper here if you put a little work into it. G.T.O.: I go fast enough. The Driver: You can never go fast enough.

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