Comments on: Automotive Theory – part 2 – Spacial awareness

By: sam

sam — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:40:26 +0000

It will be a challenge for Saab to ensure that there is enough premium content in its cars to make the increased price worth it to customers. But it is the same challenge that every car maker faces, since (almost) every car maker has a premium division that uses a common platform with lower priced cars. I actually think that it is a good thing, in that it forces car manufacturers to provide more content for the money, and not just rely on the brand name to command a higher price.

By: Ying Zhang

Ying Zhang — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:01:57 +0000

The difference between VAG and GM is.

(At least people perceive), VAG vehicles share high quality components, people think of Skodas like a good value Audi, because it uses ‘Audi’ parts.

In the case of GM, they used cheap crap parts, so your Saab is like a ‘dressed up’ Opel, more expensive but the same crap.

So you see, it’s not platform sharing that’s the problem, it’s that quality in design and manufacturing makes a (perceived) difference.

By: albert

albert — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:08:20 +0000

This discussion is a discussion that bothered a lot of customers. But not anymore. Yes the former Passat, A4 and Superb shared their platform. And a lot of people wondered why they should pay more for an A4. And bought a Passat, or may be not, because they fell for the better quality interior.
With the current generation there is however the A4 at one side and the Passat/Superb on the other side (longitudinal engine vs transversal).
BTW anyone interested why there is a Superb? VW built the Passat in China with a longer wheelbase and the Czech government wanted their own ministerial car. So take the China Passat and the Skoda nose and there you have it. If its true?

About the trunk lid on the new Superb? I think it’s stupid. If you have a hatch, why would you want to use only a part of it? The same goes for cars that have a hatch with a window that you can open.

By: Mats

Mats — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:50:41 +0000

There’s a difference between Badge Engineering (putting a different name on another brands car, like the 9-2X) and platform sharing/commonality of parts that has little impact on how the -average- user regards his car. We’re all car freaks here to one degree or another and as such we’re not ,how much we yet think we are, average users.

That VW/Audi/Skoda shares parts and platforms is in my opinion not a big deal, why I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because they’ve been doing it for the last 20-25 years that makes it not such a “big deal”? I dont know but it’s an interesting subjet to discuss… As a car owner I’m more into VW’s than Saab’s but living in Trollhattan and having worked at Saab….it’s gets under your skin….

By: eggsngrits

eggsngrits — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:29:30 +0000

Jeff is right. Badge engineering isn’t the answer in the long run.

ctm is also right: perceptions change and cars change. Some for the better, some of the worse.

I’ve said it before: Cadillac will be successful in Europe, it’s just a matter of time. Why? they will be persistent, and the cars are darn good.

If we could say that (persistent and good) about Saab in the US, we wouldn’t be having this discussion, would we?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:58:46 +0000

The A4/Superb thing sounds a lot like what GM tried to do in the 80s. It’s what earned them the whole “same cars, different prices” reputation. Gotta say, though, I can’t say much about this since they don’t sell Skodas here.