Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2005 11:23:46 +0100 From: Martin Rich <M.G.Richnospam.ac.uk> Subject: Re: Just Do It GM-Change SAAB into "GMW"
On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 04:12:33 +0000, Pooh Bear <rabbitsfriendsandrelationsnospamail.com> wrote: > >I can see the USA-isation of Saab simply by the non-offering of a hatchback these >days. > >Anyone with knowledge of the European market knows that the hatchback is the single >most popular body style here. > >Yet GM wants to produce 'sedans' it seems. Utterly blinkered thinking. > >The apparent anticipated demand just for the 'wagon' 9-3 in Europe shows for >example where GM has been losing sales ( even though it's *not* a hatchback) . > I agree with some of your sentiments but I don't think the lack of a 9-3 hatchback alone is evidence of Americanisation of Saab. The BMW 3 series and Audi A4 are made primarily as saloons (sedans). Neither is American-owned and both are also available in estate/wagon versions (cf the forthcoming 9-3 estate). Volvo dropped the 440 hatchback in favour of the S40 saloon before they came under Ford ownership. Much as hatchbacks must constitute the most common body style across the range in Europe, saloons seem popular in the market that Saab is aiming for Conversely I haven't seen any sign that GM intends to drop the hatchback versions of the Vectra or Astra... Martin
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