Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:03:22 +0100 From: Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelationsnospamail.com> Subject: Re: New 9-3 - Form over Function? pah-leeze...
Fred W wrote: > http://www.saabusa.com/saabjsp/93Reborn/?cmp=2007saabiowners&source=aug07saabiowner > > Much to my chagrin as a long time SAAB buyer / owner, it appears that > the new direction of SAAB design is in line with all the other marquees. > That is: form over function. > > Examples: They make a big deal about the clean sides of the car without > any rub strips. Looks like more trips to the ding doctor to me... > > The tail lights are pure bling with no explanation of if / how they > effect the rear visibility of the car and therefore safety. > > Nothing is mentioned in the "video" of passenger protection, superior > technology, or almost anything of real merit. Just sales puffery at > it's best (worst). > > In the past (thinking back to the late 80's and early '90's) a huge > attractor for thinking people in buying SAABs (over the other brands) > was all of the little safety oriented and intelligent design features. > Today, I'm afraid, it's just another car pandering to the public > perception of coolness. > > Too bad. And I say this as a guy that currently owns 4 SAABs (2 sport > sedans and 2 NG900's) and has owned over a dozen all told over the years. These things you mention are essentially entirely due to GM's influence (tinkering) For the life of me, I can't understand why American car companies have bought various European brands and then diluted their traditional brand values by Americanising them ! The rather gross chrome front-end treatment of the 9-5 a year or so ago is a case in point. I saw that Americans generally seemed to love it yet it was ridiculed in Europe, its strongest market ! Also see the 'Saabillac'. Cadillac's BLS based on the 9-3 has all but sunk without trace despite Lutz making it his 'big thing'. Frankly I reckon there are too many cultural / value differences between the USA and Europe / rest of the world for each others' cars to easily cross the divide in geat numbers (with the exception of Japanese cars of course - although it seems many they sell in the USA don't make it anywhere else). Graham
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