Comments on: 9-5 spyshot summary http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2005/06/9-5_spyshot_sum.html Saab 9-1, 9-3, 9-4x, 9-5, 9-7x News Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:34:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Swade http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2005/06/9-5_spyshot_sum.html#comment-419 Swade Wed, 22 Jun 2005 17:54:21 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/189#comment-419 Nail, head, etc. Nail, head, etc.

]]> By: SaabKen http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2005/06/9-5_spyshot_sum.html#comment-418 SaabKen Wed, 22 Jun 2005 17:10:16 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/189#comment-418 I think it must have been a tough business decision for GM/SAAB to make, where to best pour development and production money (9-7X, 9-3 SC, 9-6X) over the next couple of years, in order to achieve the short-term broader goals of increasing sales via existing customer retention, attracting new customers and so forth. While the 9-5 has been rated very well by Consumer Reports, it has not been a "sales leader" in the past 2-3 years. And with a brand new replacement coming in 2008/09, it's must have been a tough case of benefit/cost analysis that caused the downing of more than a few bottles of Pepto Bismol by the product planners, marketers and the beancounters. Even if SAAB had put all its efforts behind launching a brand new 9-5 for RIGHT NOW (thus possibly forgoing or delaying 9-3 SC, 9-6X), most of the world would barely notice, if at all, and that still leaves SAAB with a core two-model lineup while 9-2X sales simmer and 9-7X sales slowly pick up momentum but not enough to bring in the needed cash for SAAB to stick to the game plan of launching new models. I too wish for an immediate 9-5 replacement but looking at the big picture, I sense SAAB is doing the right thing right now. Always easy to criticize, hard to praise ! I think it must have been a tough business decision for GM/SAAB to make, where to best pour development and production money (9-7X, 9-3 SC, 9-6X) over the next couple of years, in order to achieve the short-term broader goals of increasing sales via existing customer retention, attracting new customers and so forth. While the 9-5 has been rated very well by Consumer Reports, it has not been a “sales leader” in the past 2-3 years. And with a brand new replacement coming in 2008/09, it’s must have been a tough case of benefit/cost analysis that caused the downing of more than a few bottles of Pepto Bismol by the product planners, marketers and the beancounters. Even if SAAB had put all its efforts behind launching a brand new 9-5 for RIGHT NOW (thus possibly forgoing or delaying 9-3 SC, 9-6X), most of the world would barely notice, if at all, and that still leaves SAAB with a core two-model lineup while 9-2X sales simmer and 9-7X sales slowly pick up momentum but not enough to bring in the needed cash for SAAB to stick to the game plan of launching new models.

I too wish for an immediate 9-5 replacement but looking at the big picture, I sense SAAB is doing the right thing right now. Always easy to criticize, hard to praise !

]]> By: Pavel http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2005/06/9-5_spyshot_sum.html#comment-417 Pavel Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:37:01 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/189#comment-417 "Saab should release a new design every 5 years or so". - Average model life cycle for SAAB car is about 12-13 years. SAAB is not a Japanese make to change design every 3 years. However, I have to agree that this facelift is not going to boost sales. At all. Nor will it get any positive publicity for the brand. The Frankfurt release will only rise another series of publications about SAAB crisis, staying behind, slow progress, permanent facelifts etc. Even the old rebadging stories will be remembered again in the worst context. There IS such a thing as bad press. And it's gonna be the case. Call me a pessimist, but I bet there won't be a single positive review. So, if this facelift is not going to boost sales or generate publicity, than what is it meant for? “Saab should release a new design every 5 years or so”.

- Average model life cycle for SAAB car is about 12-13 years. SAAB is not a Japanese make to change design every 3 years. However, I have to agree that this facelift is not going to boost sales. At all. Nor will it get any positive publicity for the brand.

The Frankfurt release will only rise another series of publications about SAAB crisis, staying behind, slow progress, permanent facelifts etc. Even the old rebadging stories will be remembered again in the worst context. There IS such a thing as bad press. And it’s gonna be the case.

Call me a pessimist, but I bet there won’t be a single positive review.

So, if this facelift is not going to boost sales or generate publicity, than what is it meant for?

]]> By: Swade http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2005/06/9-5_spyshot_sum.html#comment-416 Swade Tue, 21 Jun 2005 23:20:32 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/189#comment-416 Dan, I think you've captured most people's thoughts pretty well there. I think the reasoning behind it is that the development costs for the 9-3 SportCombi, 9-6x and other future models have left the 9-5 high and dry. It's still a great car and I'm not sure that many other manufacturers could get the longevity out of a model, but in the end, you're right. Sales aren't going to get boosted significantly with this re-vamp Dan, I think you’ve captured most people’s thoughts pretty well there. I think the reasoning behind it is that the development costs for the 9-3 SportCombi, 9-6x and other future models have left the 9-5 high and dry. It’s still a great car and I’m not sure that many other manufacturers could get the longevity out of a model, but in the end, you’re right. Sales aren’t going to get boosted significantly with this re-vamp

]]> By: Dan http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2005/06/9-5_spyshot_sum.html#comment-415 Dan Tue, 21 Jun 2005 23:01:19 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/189#comment-415 Saab has overextended the current 9-5 model. I don't think a new grille, headlights, and other minor enhancements will increase or maintain sales. Isn't the new redesign supposed to be released in 2008? That's practically 10 years with the current model design. Sorry I'm not too excited with these spyshots. Saab should release a new design every 5 years or so. Saab has overextended the current 9-5 model. I don’t think a new grille, headlights, and other minor enhancements will increase or maintain sales. Isn’t the new redesign supposed to be released in 2008? That’s practically 10 years with the current model design. Sorry I’m not too excited with these spyshots. Saab should release a new design every 5 years or so.

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