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Those who read and watched all the recent executive interviews from Geneva with regard to the possibility of a car being produced from the Saab BioHybrid concept would have noticed the cautious tone used. The car was something that a future 9-1 could look like if it were to be made.
There’s not a whole truck load of commitment there.
I believe it will happen. Saab will get this smaller vehicle, I’m quite sure. But the caution might be due to circumstances like this.
The United States will not get the new VW Scirocco due to a combination of factors. First, smaller cars aren’t the most profitable, nor are the most popular class of vehicle in the US. But the big deal-breaker is the state of the US dollar and the hit that VW would have to take to bring it to market.
All of the same factors would effect a Trollhattan-made Saab 9-1, hence the caution.
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There’s a great post over at Jalopnik, where they regularly do a “Down On The Street” article on a car spotted parked around the neighborhood.
Today’s entry was a Saab 96 V4, and it elicited a truckload of appreciative comments.
A pleasant surprise.
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Infocog recently debadged his Saab 9-5.
If you’re a goose like me who’s always scared of doing anything to their car, then you can follow his tips here and do it safely.
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I know Saab have a bit of an ice block theme going on at the moment, but I think Mark G is possible taking it a little to the extreme 
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Motor shows in Europe are famous for two things. The first one is cars.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Mag-X
// Mar 6, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Woah. I know that 96. I used to live just down the street in a really shite apartment. It’s been sitting there for a VERY long time.
It’s parked right here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=eugene,+or&ie=UTF8&ll=44.041017,-123.095697&spn=0.001508,0.003567&t=h&z=19
2 Mag-X
// Mar 6, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Also, the post says the oldest Saab he can find is a 1978 99, but I have a ‘76 99 that needs to get out of my friggen’ parking spot.
http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d196/Mag-X/99/?action=view¤t=DSC00056.jpg
Also, as for Saabs in Eugene; If you go north a few streets and turn east, there is often a white C900 3-door w/ one windshield wiper parked on the side of the street. Head down West 11th to the UofO, and there is a ratty black 900 convertible, a nice white one, an early 90 9000CD, and in the other direction there used to be a black 900 turbo pushed into the bushes next to a driveway on Washington. There is an old 900 4-door w/ slight body damage near where the computer recycling center used to be.
Eugne has a very high concentration of 9-5s. About two years ago I even saw a 9-5 BioPower headed down I-5 just outside of Eugene.
3 WooDz
// Mar 6, 2008 at 11:14 pm
The news that the VW Scirocco will not reach US shores in more of a reason why GM should build the 9-1. This the reason why Lutz is justified in Global architectures. Having the ability to produce a Pontiac, chevrolet, Saturn and Saab at the same plant means you cut out exchange rates.
4 Dan
// Mar 7, 2008 at 12:20 am
As far as the Sciocco, in the U.S. it would only steal sales away from the Rabbit and GTI…a pointles exercise. VW was right to say no.
5 SaabKen
// Mar 7, 2008 at 3:08 am
I wish those nice ladies would move out of the way so I can see the cars better ……..
6 TimJ#2
// Mar 7, 2008 at 4:24 am
Thanks for the Geneva pics – that’s a great way to make the Cadillac Provoq look more appealing
I think the notion that small cars don’t sell in the US is no longer true. Mini Sales were up 40% in February (albeit with a new model rollout in the US), plus Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris sales were up 60% compared to Feb. ‘07 (btw Prius sales were down 14%) All the talk about $4/gal gas out here is beginning to sink in.
7 TimJ#2
// Mar 7, 2008 at 4:30 am
. . . and to Dan’s point – February VW Rabbit sales were up >25% compared to last year in the US
8 Perry
// Mar 7, 2008 at 6:39 am
Nice icy smile from the northeast Mark G
9 Howiez5150
// Mar 7, 2008 at 9:16 am
How about build 9-1’s in Sweden for most markets and build it somewhere in North America for the US market? The way our dollar is I see why it’s so had to make a profit in US(although an ad on TV more than every 6 months would help). I pride in my car being from Sweden, but it just makes sense to build somewhere that you can avoid exchange rates. Or maybe our economy get some giddy up and the dollar will make a comeback…In short term that’s about as likely as a 9-1 sitting in my driveway this summer.
10 Jeff
// Mar 7, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Mag-X – The guy talking first lives in Alameda, California. The oldest Saab there seems to be a ‘78 99 five door. Every other Saab has been DOTS bonus, like this one, which means its from somewhere other than Alameda.