Saab 9-1 Put On Hold

[Astra RL]

Development work on the Saab 9-X Biohybrid concept revealed at the Geneva Auto Show has been put on hold, company sources cited in Friday’s reports have revealed. The in-house staff at GM Europe and Saab are debating what platform the car, which is to become the Saab 9-1, will use.
According to Jan-Ake Jonsson, the Managing Director of Saab, the 9-X concept has to be “redefined.” Thus far, the 9-1 was to be built on the same platform that underpins the next-generation 9-3 as well as Chevy’s Cruze, though Saab recently decided to downsize its future line-up, making the concept no longer suitable for such a small platform.
more at link

http://www.leftlanenews.com/biohybri...m-concept.html

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by Astra RL

Thus far, the 9-1 was to be built on the same platform that underpins the next-generation 9-3 as well as Chevy’s Cruze, though Saab recently decided to downsize its future line-up, making the concept no longer suitable for such a small platform.
more at link

So, 9-1X won't be on Delta II. Fine.
We knew 9-3 was going to be on Delta II anyways. And somehow, the platform isn't flexible enough to downsize? Fine.

So what else is smaller? Gamma?

[goblue]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

So, 9-1X won't be on Delta II. Fine.
We knew 9-3 was going to be on Delta II anyways. And somehow, the platform isn't flexible enough to downsize? Fine.

So what else is smaller? Gamma?

Would seem to make sense.

There's an advantage to all this. Saab using these platforms formerly reserved for basic transportation could result in improvements to the other vehicles on the platform. A better Cobalt/Cruze for instance?

[MrMax]

I'm sick of this company...

Why delay the 9-1? Because management can't decide between two platforms that aren't very far from each other in size? (As far as the consumer is concerned.) Honestly, I'm no engineer, but as long as the car is compact, fuel-efficient, and has great styling, it will sell. Cars like the Cruze, next-gen Aveo (whatever its going to be called ), and super-sized Equinox (I joke), need to get here yesterday.

When will this company stop making excuses? When will we stop hearing "we'll get through this" from this management team?

I'm not calling for Wagoner's head, nor am I calling for Lutz', because with past management teams still at the helm, this game would be over already. What I'm calling for is a real change in thinking.

Fuel-efficiency, along with quality, are the number one priority now. Gas won't ever go back down to $2 per gallon. Nor will it ever go back to an average of $3 for any long period of time. It's time small cars were taken seriously. And its time this company got down to the right size, because if no one noticed, Chrysler, after taking a -30% sales hit, STILL made $1.1 Billion last quarter.

No more excuses General. Produce.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by goblue

Would seem to make sense.

There's an advantage to all this. Saab using these platforms formerly reserved for basic transportation could result in improvements to the other vehicles on the platform. A better Cobalt/Cruze for instance?

Sure. A base 9-1/9-1X would be somewhat synonymous to something like a Cruze SS.
But what would be necessary for the 9-1 would be a significant upgrade in suspension and steering, not to mention engines.

[jmlee0695]

whats up with gm delaying all the good cars and trucks? 9-1,insignia (aura),GMT-950s,whats next volt? cruze?

[ronald mcretard]

Originally Posted by MrMax

I'm sick of this company...

Why delay the 9-1? Because management can't decide between two platforms that aren't very far from each other in size? (As far as the consumer is concerned.) Honestly, I'm no engineer, but as long as the car is compact, fuel-efficient, and has great styling, it will sell. Cars like the Cruze, next-gen Aveo (whatever its going to be called ), and super-sized Equinox (I joke), need to get here yesterday.

When will this company stop making excuses? When will we stop hearing "we'll get through this" from this management team?

I'm not calling for Wagoner's head, nor am I calling for Lutz', because with past management teams still at the helm, this game would be over already. What I'm calling for is a real change in thinking.

Fuel-efficiency, along with quality, are the number one priority now. Gas won't ever go back down to $2 per gallon. Nor will it ever go back to an average of $3 for any long period of time. It's time small cars were taken seriously. And its time this company got down to the right size, because if no one noticed, Chrysler, after taking a -30% sales hit, STILL made $1.1 Billion last quarter.

No more excuses General. Produce.

+1 (although i AM calling for Wagoner's head )

[Astra RL]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Sure. A base 9-1/9-1X would be somewhat synonymous to something like a Cruze SS.
But what would be necessary for the 9-1 would be a significant upgrade in suspension and steering, not to mention engines.

The rest of the article says that they looked at making it mini sized but they could not make it as aerodynamic being so short so it had to stay delta II.

[jmlee0695]

well if its on delta II how small can they go to keep it from beign almost the same size as 9-3. just put it on gamma II and give ith the 1.4 turbo and 2.0

[The Law]

GM should stick it to VW the new upcoming Golf is ulgy and NA isn't getting the rocco.Saab or Saturn could take clear shots at these markets, but by time GM products come out Honda and Hyundai will have lower priced models.

[63GrandSport001]

Projects are being delayed because GM has cut spending on R&D due to financial losses.

Honestly this shows the big problem at GM, they honestly need to put their current trucks/SUV projects on hold while they speed up development of their new cars that should sell better. Instead they say that their small cars have some life to them as they are selling better (about 120,000 units a year maybe) while the leaders are looking to sell around 400,000 compacts this year. GM is ok with such mediocre results which are up only because gas prices are high and people are looking for things with better fuel economy. While this is happening and the fact that the Cobalt sales are up a compact thats about at the back of the pack should be plenty of sign to GM that consumers are willing to buy small engines.

[civilzues]

Originally Posted by jmlee0695

whats up with gm delaying all the good cars and trucks? 9-1,insignia (aura),GMT-950s,whats next volt? cruze?

what are thoes? Also just put it on gamma already

[LeSabre]

Typical GM of late & recent years. Not surprising in the least.

I, too am calling for Wagoner's head. Its time for him to get his ridiculously outrageous severance package & hit the door!

[Quickening]

Stupid. Lets delay a small fuel efficient car. I'm so tired of GM's indecisive management.

[jorgesalazar521@msn.com]

no surprize, it was all P-R by gm. Seen it before many times. wont be surprised in the near future when more products are delayed, canceled or ect.... the efficient