Questions that need answers
Tonight I’m emailing representatives from both Saab Automobile (ie. in Sweden) and SaabUSA and I’ll be trying to get answers to the following issues. These have grown in prominence recently, and for those of us who like to be reassured about Saab’s future, I think requesting some answers is fair enough.
The Saab 9-1
The fundamental question about the Saab 9-1 is whether or not they’re actually going to build it. The concept was great but since it’s unveiling there’s still a giant and silent question mark hanging over the car. Motoring rags all over the web have gone with the assumption that it will be built, but GM execs were very specific in keeping their options open.
The Saab 9-3
I don’t want to express any dissatisfaction with the current 9-3 at all. I think the 2008 re-styling is a hit and I think the additions they’ve given to the 9-3 range in the form of the TTiD engine and XWD are absolutely brilliant. BUT….. The recent stories of indecision have stoked a fair bit of uncertainty about the Saab 9-3.
Is it going to get smaller and be made on the Delta platform in Trollhattan as suggested in last weekend’s article in Automobilewoche? Is the indecision about the car really going to push it’s release out from the expected 2010 to around 2012 as suggested? If it does get smaller does that mean that the 9-1 is off the menu?
Steve Shannon
The appointment of Mark McNabb to oversee GM’s three premium brands in the US certainly seems to encroach more than just a little on Steve Shannon’s job description. Steve was responsible for Saab in the US and now someone else is.
I wrote in my open letter to Steve Shannon last year that what Saab really needs in the US is someone who will stick around for a while. Someone who get to know the beauty of the company and their philosophy, and thereby be willing and motivated (beyond their own interests) to go out on a limb for them. I hoped Steve would be that guy.
McNabb’s hiring definitely opens a window of opportunity for Steve Shannon to bail if he so desired. I like Steve Shannon and I think he’s grown to have a real appreciation for the brand but I wonder, deep down in that quiet place, whether he thinks Saab is the right place to advance his career.
The world is looking at McNabb right now but I’m looking at you, Steve.
——
So there we go. Three important issues and two important jurisdictions. I’ll let you know how we go.
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You left out that love letter to me you promised!!!
I’d be doubtful if you get an official response to the 9-1 and 9-3.
From what I have heard however the 9-1 is about 3-4 years away. Put conventional door mirrors on it and you’ve pretty much got the car.
MY2010 for 9-3 would be unrealistic anyway. I’d guess a minimum of 18 months on from release of 9-5.
I doubt they have enough resources to develop 9-5 and 9-3-families parallelly
All this dithering by GM points to one thing to me…and it ain’t pretty! The new 9-5 is at least three years late and is probably the biggest reason Saab sales are down. The new 9-3 needs to arrive by 2010 at the very latest and a 9-1 should have been on the market already.
The whole exercise seems to be running two years behind schedule and Saab sales are headed in the wrong direction.
I am looking forward to seeing the new 9-5!
Slightly off topic. A quote from an article on the Fox Business web site about the dollar dropping in relation to the Euro. “In Germany, automaker BMW AG has said it will start producing more cars in South Carolina in a bid to take advantage of the cheaper dollar and Volkswagen AG has said it is likely to build a new production plant in the United States, too.”
Wonder if this will affect Saab’s plans any?
“I like Steve Shannon and I think he’s grown to have a real appreciation for the brand but I wonder, deep down in that quiet place, whether he thinks Saab is the right place to advance his career.”
If he wanted to advance his career he’d go running away from GM altogether to work for the Germans, the Japanese, or even the Koreans. They seem to have a much better grasp on the concept of “you have to spend money to make money” and it shows in how they actually invest in their products.
GM is improving but it’s going to be a long time before it pulls out of it’s tailspin.
…as I wrote before, I have my doubts if a 91 is being planed on the design of the latest concept car. Is rather an outlook for an 92 or even 93.
I do not know who came up with the idea of an more than 4m long 91.
Recently, the Swedish auto press came up with similar thought.
“Konceptbilen 9-X BioHybrid visades i Genève och ansågs vara en föraning om nya kompaktmodellen 9-1. Men tänk om det istället är en idé om hur nästa generation 9-3 ska se ut? Som kanske ska byggas i Trollhättan istället för Rüsselsheim?!” Source: automotorsport.se