1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Caspar: after you have finished accusing Saab of being Soviet car dictators( whatever your analogy meant), calm down and consider what you would do if you were the guy running the operation and had to make decisions on what your product mix should be, and what options should be available in which markets.
You had Park Assist last year, we in the US will just get it in 02. You had auto dimming rear view mirrors for two years, last year was the first for North America. Why? Because the marketing managers who direct operations for the different areas are the ones who specify what options and features will go to each area. On top of all of this is the overiding issue of cost! And it is not an insignificant issue. In order to keep it's costs in control, Saab, like any other small manufacturer building 140,000 cars per year, needs to try to keep the product as similar for all markets as it feels it can do. Before asking why you cannot get an Aero in Sun Green( which I personally like as well), ask yourself" If they built a thousand of them, would they all sell?" Sun Green is not the most popular color here in the US. Why will we get the new Aero seats with ventilation here when you cannot? Possible answer- Most European markets are not as concerned with features like climate control and air conditioning as we are in the US. For years, Saab failed to fix the climate control problem that affected all 9000s built, because to them,this was not a big deal. Chances are that this is the thinking that determines whether or not European buyers would crave the ventilated seats.
Bottom line of my comments- Think like you were building them and trying to make money, and not just as an enthusiast. I cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone would buy a black car. Not just a Saab, but any car. Then I look at the sales figures which show black as the most popular color and scratch my head and wonder why I am wrong.
Puttingin features that you do not care for, such as the advanced SID display( and we agree on this one as well), is also related to matching market segment competitors who offer them. If you had to have Saab or any other manufacturer custom build you a version of their vehicle but with only the features that you wanted, guess what it would cost? Major $$$
Sorry for the long rant, but I have come to accept a mix of features on my car that consist of those that I like, and those that I do not care about, and be satisfied with them for what the overall package delivers. in the case of Saabs, the results are still pretty impressive.
By the way, the inside of the new Aero with the metal dash reminded me of being trapped inside a can of beer!
posted by 24.128.2...
, Sat, 22 Sep 2001 00:27:46, Wed, 19 Sep 2001 20:59:05
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
