Comments on: Saab in 2006

By: PT

PT — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 03:20:11 +0000

just as long as we both remember when to hold`em, when to fold `em and when to walk away.

on tour at the moment mate – two weeks snowboarding in the land of the rising sun. heading up to hokkaido tomorrow. Off the air as a result – and not missing it a bit!

BTW – did you get GMs latest financial reports on the news down there? Fifth quarter loss in a row. Not happy Jan.

cheers,

By: Swade

Swade — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 17:01:30 +0000

Pete, we’re always going to fall on opposite sides of the fence with that one. Fine car – yes. Good idea for Saab – possibly. Well executed – hell no.

Crikey, now I’m sounding like a broken record!!! Just hope it’s not one of those Parton/Rogers country things.

By: PT

PT — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 05:34:10 +0000

I`m beginning to sound like a broken record but here goes again…

whatever shortcomings may be perceived in the 92x s bloodlines, it has none as a car. It may well be the best WRX money can buy – but what is wrong with that?

less time postulating – more time driving and you may see the light.

PS – Hong Kong is all about BLING. CASH. SWING….call want you want but MB + BMW own the turf because they represent status. No sane person needs a car in HK anyway.
BTW – was there two weeks ago and had a look at the new 93s/combi in the Saab showroom. it is a pretty sweet little thing.

Mahalo

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 03:32:53 +0000

I can provide some feedback on some aspects of Asia (I live in Hong Kong). Saabs are more or less non-existent here. Most folk view them as something that Ex-Pats drive – and quirky ex-pats at that. I’m not even sure its considered a luxury marque – most people I know either haven’t heard of it, or consider it more along the VW/Skoda level. Basically, they’d never take a Saab over a Benz or a BMW. This, compounded with (or perhaps leads to) the brutal resale value of Saabs – I’ve seen year old 9-5′s sell for less then 5 or 6 year old 5 Series.

Basically, I think Saab would be insane to focus on the Asian market, they have no penetration, and they’re not in any position to make a big push. Focus on the European/American markets.

By: TuuSaR

TuuSaR — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 00:21:01 +0000

For this year, Saab’s marketing should focus E85 and 9-3 SportCombi.
Also marketing should be aimed towards Europe as exchange rate is killing USA sales profit.

For products I dont say anything as we already know quite well what there is coming and it aint coming this year so pointless to talk about it.

As marketing tricks I would do Tallageda.
But what I’m also missing for is running Saab Hirsch in Nordschleife 20km track. Make a good laptime, make a good quality video. It would spread like ebola.

And it would make marketing impact where most needed as some *PIIP* think that FWD car is unable to go fast in corners….

Think how much that tiny video of Saab performance team doing few tricks spread? And then think some 8min video with good editing, it would be killer and very cost effective.

By: David Wishart

David Wishart — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 18:35:39 +0000

I’d like a 3-door hatchback 9-3 with multiple engine options and a much higher spec interior design please.

By: ZIPPY

ZIPPY — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 18:31:16 +0000

Bring on that TiD with 150bhp and 236 ft/lb of torque as a new base model for the 9-3SS it would sell like crazy. I would definitely buy one!!! Its the model responsible for the huge sales increases in the UK, along with the 9-5 Aero funnily enough. I dont expect stellar sales of the 9-5 anymore – its butt ugly, IMHO. Where did the classiness go, looks like a Chevy Impala!?

What Saab really needs to do to increase sales is sell cars that are just that little bit different. A 9-4X crossover vehicle would be a great place to start. Put in the new Fiat TD engine that produces a whopping 180bhp into the 9-3 (dare I say 9-5 as well?). Put BioPower engine in the 9-3. Introduce a Saab 2 seater a la Pontiac Solstice. But most importantly get the quality right and stop any further intrusion into the Saab range of that god-awful 9-5 front end. It looks WAY DOWN MARKET! If Saab put that butt ugly front end on the 9-3 my 23 year love affair with Saab is definitely over!!!

Why do Saab always come up with these inoovative ideas eg SVC, Bipower with 300bhp and then not bother to do anything with them. Wouldnt it be better to use that money to improve quality to build a 9-3 with A4 quality?

By: Anthony Frausto

Anthony Frausto — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 17:23:43 +0000

I think Saab should expedite some changes in the 9-7x that will make it more appealing.

1. Finish the body of the car to full Saab standards — that will appeal to true Saab users more…and distinguish it further from the crowd.

2. Introduce a Turbo 6 cylinder that optimizes fuel efficiency with power, emphasize torque at low RPM range.

3. Implement true Saab seats and further Saab interior elements that are still missing.