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I know what you're saying.
A few years ago I was getting gas, here in Southern California, and one of the "mechanics" (middle-aged) walked by and asked what kind of car it was (at that time it was my 1980 turbo). When I said "Saab" he squinted and asked "Is that French?". "No" I said, "Swedish", but he was still bewildered. So I added "You know, from Sweden... like Volvo". Now years later I have similar encounters in my 9-3 with younger people who think it's either a Lexus or BMW conversion. Uneducated? Clueless? Or maybe just unexposed to Saab. Take your pick.
Saabs seem to fall in the import specialty category like Aston Martin, Renault and Puegeot. All of those had to pull out of the U.S. market mainly because of distrubition and capital limitations. Yet still have their markets in Europe. Saab and Volvo may have been on the same boat had they not merged with one of the "Big Three" (GM, Ford and Chrysler).
I kind of compare the car market to the beer market. The masses in the U.S. drink diluted pilzner type Bud, Coors or Miller. A few others in trendy areas drink Heineken, Becks and now Corona. But the beer enthusiasts prefer hand crafted brews like Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Guiness, Bass and other Micro Brews (if not their own). Saab was once a nice micro brew like Sam Adams that sold into the big player, Bud, for more capital and better distribution. What seems to be add odds with Saabers is whether Saab will retain it's micro brew qualities or give in to the profit driven, mass production mentality of the big brewer (GM). We see people here demanding Saab remain unique while proclaiming the need for expanding market share. It's got to be a tough dilemma for the Saab staff, but you play with the cards you've been dealt the best you can. And if you don't like the game, then you get out or change dealers... corny, I know, but Saab made their bed with GM, let's see how they handle it.
Here's a question: If years from now GM decides to dump Saab, can Saab become independant again? Unlike Olds, Saab has its own factories and suppliers today are nearly universal. But will it be able to compete in Europe, the U.S. or globally without deep pockets?
Just some thoughts.
, Sat, 23 Dec 2000 11:44:11
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