Wagoner: 'Saab is not for sale'

[fan]

I don't remeber exactly if there will be a hybrid option for 9-4x, but would be interesting to see how it behaves in the European market. The first european automaker hybrid will be BMW x6 in 2009 I think. If 9-4x would be the second it would be quite cool.
Would be weird to have vue hybrid but no SRX or 9-4x.

[Gm786]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Once again, if they haven't been able to do that yet, why will they tomorrow? Especially now that they have no funds for development of even high-volume vehicles... if GM couldn't fund Saab during the SUV boom-days in the 90's, they're sure as heck not going to do it now.

I mentioned it awhile ago in another thread, but I'd love it of Suzuki bought Saab. No idea of it makes any business sense... I don't understand business at all... but from a car enthusiast standpoint I think that they'd make a very neat pair.

Just take a look at the bigger picture. What other division does GM have that offers the technology that Saab has? The answer is none. Yeah Cadillac has some hi tech gadgets in their cars but if you were to compare Saab to a Cadillac they are more sophisticated in terms of engineering, technology, and most of all safety. I'm not saying that Cadillac doesn't have any advanced technology but if you were to compare the two divisions, Saab is without a doubt the division that has most if not all advanced technology. Rick Wagoner made the right decision and all Saab needs is an injection of the right amount of R&D and proper marketing. It's just a matter of getting the money required to do those things.

[Bravada]

Originally Posted by Toto

So you call a carmaker with two hideously outdated, mediocre and overpriced cars a premium brand and say I am blind because of my German pride? Okay.

A premium brand is a brand that, when added to a product, allows for a premium to be realized. Rolls-Royce, Jaguar or Aston Martin are clearly premium brands, because they charged a lot of premium on hideously outdated and mediocre cars, and people bought them. There is no such thing as "overpriced" - as long as people are willing to pay the price, the price is just right. There is just the question whether it covers the economic cost of product.

Now, Saab's resilience and ability to effectively market products not really excelling at anything else but bearing the griffin speaks volumes about the brand - people just want Saabs, and are ready to pay more for them. It's called brand equity, and Saab's got a lot of it.

[96_impala_ss]

Originally Posted by Rick_VT

Lets see:

Barina - Daewoo
Viva - Daewoo
Astra - Opel
Epica - Daewoo
Captiva - Daewoo
Commodore - Holden
Statesman/Caprice - Holden
Rodeo/Colorado - Isuzu

Just exactly where are all the rebadged Opels you talk of??

Hmm... How about the Opel Antara AKA the Captiva MAXX or the Opel Combo AKA the Holden Combo?

And isnt GM going to sell the Insignia in Australia under.... HOLDEN?

Oh yea... You missed the Ute which is made by Holden. Just a thought

[SierraGS]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

That won't happen in the US - but they are paired that way in Canada.

I say enough is enough with Saturn. Just dump the brand strategy for it, adopt the Opel crest and image, and then at least you can justify the prices for the Astra, etc.

And having Opel/Saab stores may not be all that amiss from what they have in Europe.

But that's just me - and its an old rant from where I'm seated.

I agree with dropping Saturn, it has moved from what worked in the past and extending the lineup and moving upscale is not working - if Saturn stays it would only be as a "Hybrid" line and only if Toyota does a "Prius" brand.

The money saved by dropping Saturn will be put into SAAB with a 9-1 Coupe hatch based on the GAMMA for an Audi TT Coupe with a new 9-3 from the Astra Coupe (Calibra), Twin-Top and Sedan with Audi A3/A4 performance. The 9-5 would be offered in Coupe, Sedan and Wagon models on the Epsilon II. The 9-4 will be joined with a 9-6X replacing the Outlook and sold globally.

SAAB will be paired with Cadillac and provide high performance/MPG luxury models saving GM from putting I-4 engines in Cadillacs.

The rest of Opel must be paired with Buick and already is if GM offers the Regal (Insignia) here and I could see Opel offering the Invicta (LaCrosse) in Europe as top FWD sedan. The new Astra Sedan and Wagon can be offered here as the Century (Excelle in China) with the Cruze 40 MPG drivetrain giving Buick a strong high MPG sedan and spreading cost with the Cruze.

Pontiac would use the Vauxhall front end for 3-door and 5-Door Astra models as the next G5 with the Corsa 3-Door and 5-Door joined by a 2-door hatch and sold as the G3 with and alternative option of selling the Agila as the G3.

This leaves GM with:
Chevrolet
Buick-Pontiac-GMC
Cadillac-SAAB

Hummer will either be sold or dropped due to pressure from strings attached to bailout money.

As I have posted before, this mimics GM's European lineup spreading costs and keeping the focus of Chevy then Opel (Buick) with Cadillac on top, Pontiac stays as a better brand to offer the smaller Opel models here and will get performance versions, GMC retains it's current high retail/profit role.

Cadillac-Saab can then focus more on Prestige models with SAAB providing the high MPG needed for CAFE and Cadillac on high profit image models.

[seeg]

It would probably be a good move to keep Saab, unless you want GM to pump even more more money into the Caddy Europe project.

[LeSabre]

Saab hasn't done much if anything really w/Saab except let it get stale.

The "Born From Jets" ad campaign could have been something really good/special had all of the Saab models been up to par w/their competition. GM may have made a decent or nice profit from them. But typical GM is to ignore/neglect most of their brands/products for long periods of time til they become a shadow of their former selves.

I bet you that if both Hummer & Saab were up for sale, that Saab would sell before Hummer! GM possibly could get a higher selling price for it compared to Hummer, too.

.

[run&blade]

Do you think GM will every let GM Card holders use their points for a new Saab? I don't understand the logic in not letting GM Card points being used for a Saab.

You would think Saabs sold great all on there own.

[ctsmo]

Originally Posted by run&blade

Do you think GM will every let GM Card holders use their points for a new Saab? I don't understand the logic in not letting GM Card points being used for a Saab.

You would think Saabs sold great all on there own.

they do, its the gm family one, as that one cant accumulate points as fast as the other ones.

[Gerard]

Originally Posted by LeSabre

I bet you that if both Hummer & Saab were up for sale, that Saab would sell before Hummer! GM possibly could get a higher selling price for it compared to Hummer, too.

The only way GM will get rid of Hummer is to include Saab. Both brands are about as hot right now as a Republican in the White House.