Date: Sun, 01 Jun 2003 23:45:04 +0200 From: Nel Frikandel <nelfrikandelnopsamail.com> Subject: Re: Saab merging with Opel??
On Sun, 1 Jun 2003 09:16:39 -0700, "pablo" <pabloNOSPAMnopsamlyhombreDOT.net> wrote: >I think those are the consequences when things are overdone and executed the >wrong way. Since it diminishes both identity and value of the brand, any >halfway intelligent executive would try to avoid that. Halfway intelligent executive? At GM's Marketing dept? Yeah, right!! Remember the 80's? When you couldnt't tell a Cad Eldo and an Olds Toronado apart from 50meters. Let alone the total blur of W(hatever the acronym) -bodies, and other stupid crossovers, that looked like cigarette boxes on wheels, they pumped in the market. Of course your Cadillac had "tastefull details" (ROFL) like spoke-hubcaps, deluxe fender louvres and the featured cabriolet roof (a little piece of vinyl on the back 1/4 of the roof, aimed to make it look like a landaulette), the absolutely top luxury version even came with "Opera Lights" These times were hilarious! Reading through a Cadillac folder could leave me sobbing with laughter for hours... Even modern day GM cars are also all the same. 10 Years ago I cound't tell the Toyotas from the Nissan, al Jap cars looked alike, nowadays the Ami's (especially GM's) are just the same. No brand recognition whatsoever. I wonder why they even bother to maintain the separate brands and dealerships anyway. They might as well put a credit card operated dealer machine on the streetcorner. Insert a coin, choose body type, engine and color, and out comes your GM hotdog-on wheels. You want mustard or ketchup to go with that, sir?? The GMC/SAAB S.U.V. is the most monstrous idea I've ever heard of. I only hope the NEVER sell one in Europe... >But in the long term, I think platform sharing leads to better cars, not >worse and less distinguishable ones unless you over-value certain things. It >allows car companies to spend less on stuff that does not really make a big >difference and invest in the more essential differentiators. Partly you have a point, however if I rubbed a lamp and was granted three wishes, one of them would be that SAAB was bought by DaimlerChrysler or even Ford, all better than the GM sausage machine... >If Saab become's Opel's Audi, it's a great concept sure to make new owners >happy. I personally dislike Opels mainstream models for their plainness, fantasyless, harsh ride and terrible seats. I had the displeasure of driving a 2002 white Astra wagon for a month, and it sucked big time! A Leopard II Tank offers a more pleasant ride... If SAAB were to become Opels'Audi (whow what a sentence), I hope the swedes keep a strong influence in the final design. However I have to admit I like the looks of the new Signum! I's sign up fo a SAAB 9-5 successor based on this design (or would a 9-6 be more appropriate)
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