Date: Thu, 02 Sep 1999 13:02:19 GMT From: nutmeggernopsameja.com Subject: Re: SAAB goes GM
In article <7qh99v$217pnopsams4.newsguy.com>, Roger Williams <rogerwnopsaml1.tiac.net> wrote: > >> > >> > Let Saab be Saab for the most part? What exactly do you mean? > >> > >> For years, the American automotive press has been howling about the > >> center console ignition. > > > I know and it just makes me laugh!! I like that, as long as you don't > > go spilling your drink down it, like I've heard of people doing. > > The logic behind it, if I recall correctly, is the tendency of >kneecaps to shatter on steering column ignition area in rear end >accidents. I remember reading that somewhere also. >Leave it to the Detroit press to whine about that. Oh-h-h-h they whine about the stupidest things. > > >> It's just one example, but the point is, they've let Saab continue > > to > >> be Saab for the most part. > > > Alright....maybe "for the most part" > > For example: they used the Opel platform for the new line, but is >there any doubt the 9-3 and 9-5 are 100% Saab? Well.....I'm not that fond of the new body styling myself, but then I was never that impressed with how Saabs look UNTIL I drove one. > > >> > They may have increased advertising, but in my opinion it sucks!! > >> > >> Saab vs. neighbors. Saab vs. steroids. > >> > >> Saab vs. ... Mothra? > > > I'm not following you? > > If you're not following me, you probably aren't following Saab's >new "Saab vs. <fill in the blank>" advertising campaign, either. Nope, TV & I haven't been getting along lately. >The one on TV (mostly cable: Arts&Entertainment, Bravo, etc.) for the >9-3 is "Saab vs. Neighbors" that shows an idiosyncratic artist sort >packing up a percussion kit in his 9-3 and driving out to the middle of >nowhere to bang on gongs. They'd be better off showing him packing up a refridgerator. > > > Their marketing techniques need a complete overhaul and I'll just bet > > any money there aren't any women involved in it, and it would be to > > their benefit to have a female POV. > > Well, the new Saab ads don't exactly resemble traditional GM car >ads in any way, shape, or form, so I don't know. Thatnk goodness for that! GM ads are sexist. >I do know that there were no fewer than 6 women car shopping at Charles >River Saab the day I bought my car there, so who's to say? YUP, in my opinion women are forgotton in Saab's eye. > > >> >> Oh yeah - and under GM, Saab sales have gone *up*. That's not too > >> > bad, either. > > >> > No, but it hasn't gone up as much as Volvo has either. > > >> Volvo found their marketing niche: families who want safe wagons. > > > Around here I see alot of DINKS (Double Income No Kids) with them. They > > also seem to be a favorite of Professors. > > Hopefully, the 9-5 wagon can get into that niche market a little >more. The auto reviews for the wagon have all been fantastic. Yes they have. > > >> When they decided to add a little spice under the hood, sales went up > >> even higher. That's the market the 9-5 wagon is after (OK, soccer moms - > >> ask yourself: would you rather get the S70 wagon or the 9-5 wagon?). > > > I like the new Volvos coming out, they look nice and I want to drive > > one. > > It's clear that Saab needs to work on their owner loyalty! heh heh heh HA!!! Well I just want to try it out so I have something to compare it to. > > >> > >> But, Saab reported sales 45% higher over the last year, so > > something's > >> going right. Let's face it - I love Saabs, and I don't like GM, but > >> without GM Saab would likely have died. > > > Oh.....I don't know. Maybe they got to that point, but I still get the > > feeling it wasn't their only option and it could've been handled > > differently with the right people involved, but what do I know? > > Saab was pretty deep in the red. Sooner or later, you can only lose >so much money and so much market share before you have to give up. Saab > always had it's aircraft division to fall back on, but they would have > eventually had to cede their auto division if someone hadn't stepped >in to take over all their debt. What about their truck division? Why aren't their many around? I see plenty of Volvo semis. Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
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