GM strategy: new 9-3SS - Saab General Bulletin Board - Saabnet.com
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GM strategy: new 9-3SS
Posted by compaqted (more from compaqted) on Tue, 8 Oct 2002 09:55:25
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Thanks to Jason, we can all see the details of the new 9-3SS from the comfort of our browsers.
Funny, though, there was no discussion about the "Opel connection" as there was when the NG900 or 9-5 came out. Maybe the discussion is obvious by now. If you look at the http://www.opel.de web site at 'der neuer Opel Vectra', it is pretty obviously the same car, with some minor exterior changes (headlights, taillights, handles, wheels), and a different interior (the Saab's is much cleaner and typically Swedish). It seems that GM is lining up the Opel Vectra, Saab 9-3SS, and Saturn L series like this:
- all will use the Global GM 4 cylinder engines for their 4 cylinder models
- the Opel and Saturn use the 2.2L and 1.8L naturally aspirated Ecotec engines
- the Saab will use the 2.0L Ecotec engine, but turbocharged
- same transmissions, chassis, brakes, etc.
- shared body panels for the most part
This is a smart approach, IMHO. It gets some excellent German chassis technology into the US market, improves the Saab's handling and ride, and lowers costs enough to make the Saab a 'value' contender with BMW and the Japanese higher end, and the Saturn competitive with the Japanese lower end (although I don't think the Saturn build quality is there yet).
So Saab concentrates on making excellent Turbo powerplants and wonderful interiors, Opel concentrates on the basic chassis elements, and Saturn adds its trademark polymer panels. Should be a win all around if executed properly.
posted by 161.114.8...
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