Saab eyes low-volume future

[Chaz_23]

A rare car article from the BBC site:

Less is more
Sweden's Saab is set on making fewer but more distinctive cars

Dark and powerful, the new Turbo X stands proud at Saab's stand in Frankfurt, shoulder to shoulder with an original "Black Turbo" from the Swedish car maker's heyday more than a quarter of a century ago.

Much has happened since.
Saab has been swallowed up by the American car giant General Motors (GM), much of the production has been shifted to Germany, and GM's efforts to pitch the marque as a luxurious rival to the leading German car makers have failed miserably - particularly in Europe.
These days, Saab's formerly distinct models are often described as bland and only marginally different versions of its Opel/Vauxhall sister marques, and profits have turned to losses.
Last year, sales slipped to just 133,000 cars - well behind Audi, BMW and Mercedes, which all turn out a million or more per year.
This was a far cry even from fellow Swedish car maker Volvo's performance: it sold some 600,000 cars last year. "We at Saab have been very inconsistent in our approach," acknowledges Saab's chief executive, Jan-Ake Jonsson, who is himself spearheading the carmaker's latest initiative - which, yet again, is markedly different from the last one.

Rest at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6992369.stm

[camaro_freak]

the redesigned 9-3 is really growing on me. If they'd just change up the 9-5 a little, I think SAAB would be back on track!

[mgescuro]

WTF?

Saab's new low-volume cost structure relies heavily on factory and parts-sharing with other GM marques, a strategy that will do little on its own to support Saab's efforts to build its brand as a distinct entity.

This is where the Turbo X comes in.


The turbocharged car comes with a 2.8 litre 280 bhp engine, and unlike conventional Saab's it comes with four-wheel-drive.

Ummmmmm..... OF COURSE!!
Excessive parts sharing will do nothing to distinguish a brand. Design is only as good as the parts being used in the design!!

**** it. The new 9-5 is gonna have an Opel center stack and steering wheel, huh???

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

WTF?

**** it. The new 9-5 is gonna have an Opel center stack and steering wheel, huh???
[/size]

What, the Saab 9-5 is going to have an opel center stack? and compete with Hyundai? What is GM smoking?

[chrisbenz]

Offer a 9-3 5door hatch and 2door coupe.

[gardnet1]

I didn't think they can get much more low volume.

[F14CRAZY]

I respect Saab but don't see a reason why someone would chose a Saab over another brand

[usa1]

Originally Posted by gardnet1

I didn't think they can get much more low volume.

That's my thought too. How low volume can a low end luxury brand really go and still make sense?

It sounds like GM is throwing their hands up in the air and just lowering their targets since they don't know how to make SAAB do well.

Another reason to can the brand. It's a useless and distracting brand to GM.

Mark

[MrJamesMc]

Why won't GM just sell the damn brand?

good lord...

[jc7222]

Saab is throwing their hands up because GM has been starving it. Now they give them the guy from Buick as the final kiss of death. I love GM but they are killing my favorite brand because of stupid arogance. Why are'nt there more Saab commercials? Why isn't the top GM brand in Europe?
I am really tired of all the stupid talk that Saab is not a good performer for GM. How can they when they are being starved? And if anyone would consider that GM's "top" brand has 6 models, not including the V-series, and they sell 100k or so more than Saab with 2 models...?!
Saab brings more non-GM buyers to GM than all their brands except for Hummer. Maybe if they fed Saab a lil more they could get more people to consider buying GM.
Gm should spend more money on developing Saab, Hummer, Saturn and Chevy give Caddy what's left kill Pontiac and Buick.

[Bravada]

This is GM putting their word where their money is, i.e. admitting they simply don't care, don't have a clue and won't bother. Sad.

[The Law]

gm used saab for techonogy.
opel gets all the rewards from Saab work.
can't wait for new 9-3 bio-diesel hybrid

[CmicasatheGreat]

Saab would be so much better off if they were paired with Saturn in the Dealership Network... Throw Hummer in as well and give these brands some visability

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by CmicasatheGreat

Saab would be so much better off if they were paired with Saturn in the Dealership Network... Throw Hummer in as well and give these brands some visability

No. Because the dealership experience at Saab vs Saturn vs HUMMER is like night and day.

Ever walk into a properly appointed Saab dealership? Scandinavian designed furniture. Ice while floors with frosted glass and recessed lighting.
Saturn has a warm feeling, with warm wood flooring and a comfy lounge area.
And then there's HUMMER. That's obvious.

[CmicasatheGreat]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

No. Because the dealership experience at Saab vs Saturn vs HUMMER is like night and day.

Ever walk into a properly appointed Saab dealership? Scandinavian designed furniture. Ice while floors with frosted glass and recessed lighting.
Saturn has a warm feeling, with warm wood flooring and a comfy lounge area.
And then there's HUMMER. That's obvious.

OH no.. I get U. But that's when U get an Interior Decorator in there and divide the Showroom (after a slight addition of square footage) into three separate Dealership experiences.

I believe the same thing about the "Buick/GMC/Pontiac" stores. There is NO WAY a Buick, a Pontiac, and a GMC have much in common... nor should they share "Space."