Comments on: Saab 9-4x nude and other snippets

By: KenSaabi

KenSaabi — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:20:55 +0000

Saab only advertises in selected markets as it is…. no such thing as a national spot! The Californians don’t seem to be buying very many MDX’s, X3/X5′s, A4′s, etc, cause they’re AWD (most A4′s are Quattro…looks like all ’09 A4′s are for the time being). Actually, it’s quite amazing how many Californians need AWD for that quick trip to Big Bear, Tahoe, etc.

By: 1985 Gripen

1985 Gripen — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:24:32 +0000

SaabKen: This is part of the reason why I think GM needs to boost Saab’s advertising funding in coming months. Saab USA would best use that money to advertise regionally where car buyers actually experience “weather”. Here in SoCal there’s really no need for XWD unless you’re a Saabophile and spend a lot of time at the track. But Saab USA should advertise heavily regionally where Saabs have a traditionally-strong foothold, such as the Northeast, Rocky Mountain states (Colorado specifically), and Pacific Northwest. Advertise the heck out of both the 9-3 Aero as well as the 2.0T 9-3 w/ AWD as a solution for winter. The XWD system was not available last winter, so this winter is the time to try to sell the heck out of these cars while Saab still has an exclusive on the Haldex 4 system. They have an advantage for a short time here. As soon as ovloV and/or AUDI get this system Saab loses its advantage and again has to compete on price.

Saab USA: don’t waste your limited advertising funds advertising Saabs in areas that don’t experience “weather” (snow, rain, sleet, etc.). Don’t buy expensive national television spots. Purchase regional airtime. While California has been a traditionally strong market for Saab, I think that the XWD system is a hard sell here. California buyers figure “why spend the money?” on XWD, especially since the 2.0T 9-3 w/ XWD will sell for $6K more than the non-XWD equipped version.

By: SaabKen

SaabKen — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:41:22 +0000

Gripen is correct, I read that too. I believe Opel is slated to benefit from Haldex 4.0 (possibly with eLSD as option) starting in 2009 but won’t be calling it XWD obviously.

By: 1985 Gripen

1985 Gripen — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:21:49 +0000

Ck1X: from what I understand “XWD” is just Saab’s trademarked name (so nobody else can use the name) for the Haldex 4 system. Saab has an exclusive on this system until 2009 at which time Haldex can sell the system to any manufacturer who wants to buy it (including ovloV). They just can’t call it “XWD”. I’m sure if AUDI buys it they’ll call it “Quattro”.

By: Ck1x

Ck1x — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:50:28 +0000

XWD is Saab owned technology, no one else will use it besides another brand in GM.
Now the halfex 4.0 system is another thing .
But just not the Saab version!

By: Martin N

Martin N — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:25:26 +0000

Swade, Pekko,
I thought we’d already agreed a year ago that car is a 2010 Buick LaCrosse

But it could of course share some sheet metal with the new 9-5.

By: Pekko

Pekko — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:10:16 +0000

Yeah, and cannot be said for sure that those are spyshots of 9-5… Could be some other car also.

By: swade

swade — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:05:49 +0000

Pekko,

I didn’t cover that story because, seriously, what can anyone tell from those images? There’s absolutely nothing given away there, I’m afraid.

Move along. Nothing to see here….

By: Pekko

Pekko — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:58:13 +0000

http://www.saabhistory.com/2008/09/10/next-generation-saab-9-5-spy-photos/

By: Martin N

Martin N — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:46:29 +0000

“Hello, there is 9-5 spypics scanned at saabhistory site.”

What? Where?
I’ve only seen general concept renderings (for marketing), disguised Buicks and guesswork drawings.