Third Model Will Help Make Saab Profitable

[smk4565]

A smaller VUE sized SUV with a the turbo engines could work. The 9-2 and 9-7 were disasters, hopefully GM learns rebadging doesn't work soon. You think the Cimmarron would have taught them that, but they keep repeating the mistake. The success of Saab though will rely on sporty, airplane insprired sedans though.

[yoblues]

Originally Posted by JVal14

I think a lot of people (at least traditional fans of Saab) feel this way. I was never a fan of the older Saabs, and I'm no great historian of the brand, but I can understand how people would be upset by the current direction. That being said, GM didn't acquire Saab for it's niche market or to attract a small cult following with it's quirks. It bought Saab to glean it's FWD and 4-cyl. technology, and also to gain entry into the European market. In order to accomplish the latter, they have to go mainstream and compete with BMW and Mercedes. This has been the plan from the beginning, and while it's understandable to be angry that GM bought Saab to change it, taking it mainstream should be expected. And it doesn't necessarily mean the brand won't be successful, it means it will be done in a different way.

IMHO, I think it's more important that Saab offer a competent entry level 9-2 than introduce a trendy crossover. If nothing else, Saab should compete with Volvo, and I think Volvo will have success with the S40/V50/C30. In general, I think customers (both U.S. and Euro) would be more willing to try out a new Saab car than a new Saab SUV. On top of all of this, luxury makes are increasingly offering smaller cars (A3, 1-Series, C30) and GM has no such offering; to me Saab is the natural choice to bring something like that to market.

Get them when they are young, keep them when they get old. If Saab has no entry level car (9-2) young people will gravitate to those that do. Saab will have no chance to get them when they get old.

[KIDDIESEL79]

Saab doesn't need another SUV, but a replacement of the 9-7 with a design of it's own. What I think they really need is a sporty car, smaller than the 9-3, that doesn't have just a new front bumper and the signature Saab grill.

[Hurricane]

Saab needs a 3-door 9-3 hatch and an updated version of the Sonnett!

Bring back the 900 name, too - I miss my '82 900 Turbo! It was such a great car.

[megeebee]

Is this new SUV the one that I read of that will be shared with Cadillac?

[t-rex]

With the market so fragmented into different segments, it's inevitable that Saab will have to offer something along CUV lines in order to succeed. Initially I wasn't wild about the thought of any SUVish Saab, but if they're anything like the interesting designs the GMI staffers showed on the RIA site, Saab will be the better for it. Having a Saab CUV isn't bad — having a Saab SUV based on a Chevy truck is bad. As long as it's quirky, distinctive, and adheres to Saab's design and engineering principles, a Saab CUV would probably succeed.

[Quickening]

I really hope its the 9-4x. My sister wants a 9-7x but if the more fuel efficient, more Saab through and through 9-4x came out that would be even better.

And don't knock the 9-7x, the amount of money GM put into to craft it wasn't that much and its a cash cow for Saab with each one they sell. Why can't Saab have an SUV? Volvo has one, and another on their way and I'd say Volvo is one of Saab or should be Saabs main competitor.

[desmo9]

Originally Posted by Perian

In the US, GM tried to boost Saab by giving it the 9-7X, a medium SUV based on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, and the 9-2X, which is based on the Subaru Impreza mid-sized car.

Those models have not sold well. But Forster said a new SUV-type vehicle designed as a Saab will help make the brand profitable.

.

Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Any coincidence the guy talking about the SUV-type vehicle has a name that looks alot like "Forester" ??? Is that GM's next trick? Combine 9-2 and 9-7 and you have a rebadged Subaru Forester for Saab?

[jbartley]

Originally Posted by desmo9

Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Any coincidence the guy talking about the SUV-type vehicle has a name that looks alot like "Forester" ??? Is that GM's next trick? Combine 9-2 and 9-7 and you have a rebadged Subaru Forester for Saab?

please tell me you're not serious?

what you just typed makes no sense whatsoever.

[JVal14]

Originally Posted by yoblues

Get them when they are young, keep them when they get old. If Saab has no entry level car (9-2) young people will gravitate to those that do. Saab will have no chance to get them when they get old.

Precisely. This is what Buick's problem (well one big one anyway) has been for so long: as those aging folks move along, they've done little to replace them with a younger set. They desperately need something smaller and stylish with sporty pretenses, even if it's not a rocket; and the same goes for Saab.

[Quickening]

A 9-1 is confirmed. Calm down.

And plus I'm 19 and drive a 9-3 Aero and love the car. I hope the next 9-3, riding on EpII, continues as an awesome car and that will be my car also. Saab basically has me hooked. Its already spread to my sister as I mentioned in a post above, who wants a 9-7x or an SUV from Saab (she is 23). Also everytime I drive with friends, all they do is compliment the car and say how badass it is.

[JazzyChef]

They mention the 9-7 in there about how it's a ripoff of the trailblazer, in all honesty I think it's the best looking out of the bunch. If it only had more of a feel like a saab though

[Ultimate1]

Not with the horrible styling design they been displaying!

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

He probably means a 3rd model that will be sold world-wide. The 9-7X is only sold in North America as was the 9-2X.

The 9-7X has limited release in Europe.

[desmo9]

Originally Posted by jbartley

please tell me you're not serious?

what you just typed makes no sense whatsoever.

Let me type slowly so you understand better...

Surprise surprise is sarcasm meaning.... it's no surprise the 9-7 and 9-2 flopped.

As for the Forster connection, it's a joke bud. But let's face it ... a guy named Forster talking about doing another Saab small SUV thing? SOmething like a Forester?