GM: Sell SAAB to someone who cares

[1931Chevy]

I compare GM Saab too Fords Jaguar, both have been mismanaged brands, in wich they had cars designed on versions from their brother brands and they have been screwed for almost the same time Jag since 1989 and Saab since 1990

[F14CRAZY]

At least the Impreza was a GOOD car to rebadge

[jlmartin99]

Originally Posted by Quickening

Well Saab has dropped their current marketing company. I'm hoping they will bring it inline with the European marketing which I think is EXCELLENT.

Just one example.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw5py5kZQ2g

There is also the Oh Laura- Release Me video, showcasing BioPower. Awesome video. THere are countless really.

Greetings,

I have mentioned before that I like Saab's unique style and design with special note to the Saab 9 3 Convertible, it remains one of my favorite cars. The Cadillac Saab dealership where I live to seems to be selling Saab very well along with Cadillac. There appears to be a very strong customer base of Saab owners and enthusiasts in the Connecticut area.

Over time with exposure and conversation with my Cadillac Saab dealership personnel, who are Saab fanatics, I have grown to appreciate the Saab car brand. I also like the most recent style and design updates.

I agree investment in marketing and product development is needed.

JLM

[ksr]

GM has often gotten bashed for supposedly mishandling Saab.

Fact is that when GM bought 50% of the company back in the '80s, it saved the company. Saab hadn't been profitable for years.

GM immediately helped to improve Saab product quality, which had been dismal.

People say that GM didn't let Saab be Saab. That's incorrect. For years, GM let Saab run itself. That was the mistake. They were on the brink of death before GM bought into the company, and letting the same management continue to operate the company in the same way would not improve things.

People like to talk about Saab's "quirkiness" and how GM has alienated it's fans by meddling in the business. Well, quirkiness is all well and good, but when that quirkiness appeals to so few people in the car market, you've got problems.

It was only after years more of failure that GM took a more active role at Saab.

They still need more models that are uniquely Saab, but they are producing some very nice vehicles that last few years.

[Bravada]

People like to talk about Saab's "quirkiness" and how GM has alienated it's fans by meddling in the business. Well, quirkiness is all well and good, but when that quirkiness appeals to so few people in the car market, you've got problems.

Remove quirkiness and what you have left? Dame Edna fascia, corporate radio and less rear legroom than in the Vectra sedan. Why would anybody want to pay for that?

he Cadillac Saab dealership where I live to seems to be selling Saab very well along with Cadillac.

It should be that way accross the board - Cadillac for big cars/SUVs, and Saab for smaller vehicles. No need for BLS, BRX and all other kinds of b/s, just direct the dev money to make the best Saabs and Cadillacs in their classes.

[F14CRAZY]

I'd say Saab is mishandled...the Saab dealer in Lansing is Bill Snethkamp DODGE

[vsd]

Let SAAB go, GM should be run as lean and mean as possible. No extra baggage is needed

[plane]

Originally Posted by Quickening

THe current 9-3 came to market in 03 actually.

Saab has everything to do with the other brands. Saab is GM's techno nugget that people fail to see. I'm not going to go into the details because I've done it about 10 times in these forums.

That's where I'm at.
Too much potential, to much technology, too much unseen benefit that has ebbed and flowed to other GM brands.

[The Law]

if gm can't let Saab be itself and design & manufacture then it should be sold to BMW(they are/were looking at Volvo) i'm sure they would take Saab.

Saab has alot going for them tech in Bio diesel,safety,electric cars.

i think saab is finally getting attention.they will build hybirds that why new cars are being built elsewhere.saab wants to be full line of electric,hybrid,bio diesel.

9-1 will be hybird,9-3 getting Xwd and 9-4x coming.just need to replace 9-7x.

[CobaltSScrazy]

benchmark the next generation A4/S4/RS4 with a 9-3 lineup to copycat it and discount it at EACH pricepoint 5-7k dollars. Do the same w/ 9-5 and A6/S6...

or sell it, like i voted...

CobaltSScrazy

[ronald mcretard]

I'm going to be purely selfish and say GM should keep Saab so I can get the employee discount on a new 9-3 if I want one.

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by vsd

Let SAAB go, GM should be run as lean and mean as possible. No extra baggage is needed

Don't you think that is a little "Yota" in its thinking? Sure there is room to streamline, but Saab offerings (at the moment) are mostly unique, at least in aesthetics and approach. I saw my first new Saab (for a few years) up close the other day and was very impressed with the impact of its grey and black leather interior. The rest of the fiddly interior design was still there, but that in itself indicates that it is indeed a Saab. It has only been the last few years that I have even really noticed them since the end of the 90's when they went very backwards. Hopefully GM can actually manage this ressurgence with some restraint, restoring a marque that is instantly recognisable through its aesthetics. It even still has that long ago mystique of rally dominance.

There is nothing wrong with where they seem to be headed. If I wasn't agnostic, I'd pray that they dont distill the brand into an everymans (or womans) quirky car, because then it will have lost the whole reason for its survival.

[DuSpinnst]

Selling Saab at this point isn't possible since they use all GM platforms and mostly GM engines.

[chaseabryant]

Originally Posted by mikmak

That is one of my favorite color combinations in the 9-3.

I think that GM should be holding onto the SAAB brand, It has a lot of potential, and it sounds like GM has started to realize it. I can't wait to see what is done to the new models.

-Chase

[chad4835]

I just returned from test driving a 08' 9-3 and was impressed. It had a nice interior, smooth ride, quiet, and improved exterior. Saab just needs more product. They need to pay closer attention to it like they have Saturn.