Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2002 13:39:55 -0700 From: "pablo" <pabloATsimplyhombreNOSPAMnet> Subject: Re: new 9-3
I saw the new 9-3 this morning while leaving my '02 9-3 convertible in to get some kinks ironed out. I am sure it is a very competent car, but styling wise there's nothing original about it. It builds on styling cues that are absolutely nothing new, even for Saab. Mix some Beemer and Acura elements with the 9-5, and voila, the new 9-3 emerges. It in undeniable the unique personality factor diminishes. Then again, that probably was entirely intended to appeal to what Saab and GM strategists regard as the wider public they want to appeal to. The blander mix often has more general appeal - it will not develop an irrational fan base, but then again it will not alienate a statistical majority. It is a diffiicult decision to make as a corporate strategist - do you try to protect your loyal 3% and keep appealing to them, or do you try to carve a 5% niche in the remaining 97% of the market? Enter the MBAs. :-) To me, a car with 4 doors utterly eliminates itself from my list. Tried it, found it boring. 2 or 3 doors, that is it. Make it upscale. Coupe or hatchback. Give it over 190HP. BMW and Mercedes are moving into that segment, top end fashion cars like a fully-accesorized Mini Cooper furthermore turn up the heat in that niche... and maybe that is why Saab decided to move out of it into a wider market before they re-enter it. I can't help but think that, once Saab tries to main-stream itself, it discovers that simply latching 4 doors on isn't enough - that public also likes V6 engines and a total absence of quirkiness and personality. It'd be a damn shame if in the end the 9-3 morphs into an Acura or Lexus. Not because those are bad cars, but simply because it turns the car market grayer and more boring. Fewer choices. But I guess markets always go through this consolidation cycle, and richer times will come again when vendors dare to be different, and happen to strike a gold-mine here and there. Fact is, until Saab comes out with another 9-3 hatchback, every Merc C230 sale is potentially one sale they gave away. And I hear the C230 is selling quite well. ...pablo
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