2003-2011 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
The posting on the "secret" 2008 Saab 9-5, and my recent experience at the Saab Academy prompted some thoughts. And if Jay Spenchian doesn't check this website, he should; it's about as broad and honest a cross-section as he's likely to get outside the usual survey work. Here's my take:
Despite sentiment otherwise, GM has breathed new life into Saab, a company that -- however good -- probably could not have survived with the existing production volume. GM provided purchasing power, technology and logistics sharing, distribution capability --and cash -- that wouldn't likely have come from anywhere else.
Whatever perceived compromises GM made, overall the trend has been improved cars, with more improvements coming. This is an under-rated car that is fully competitive with the other major European brands. Reliability on my 2003 9-3 and 2006 9-3 Aero have been as good as or better than our last three Hondas (Accords and Prelude).
Based on what I saw and read on the 9-5, I can see a long line of new customers. One is already on my list.
But that Saab will clearly be different from all previous. We are clearly on the verge of having Saabs from Trollhatten become something else: no longer uniquely Scandanavian and produced in Sweden. Bottom line: I am sorry to see the departure from Trollhatten for some or all of the Saab line, and I hope that facility can be maintained for the sake of the employees and the Swedish economy. However, I like what's happening with Saab, and am extremely encouraged by Saab product development and marketing.
If what defines Saab is unique engineering, European performance and handling, and traditional Saab value, and those characteristics are maintained with the required quality level, I don't care if the car comes from Sweden, Germany, or Idaho.
So, Mr. Spenchian, if you're listening, the future looks good. Don't lose the focus, the Saab character, or the marketing. Your customers know you need volume to maintain the brand, and we want to see you get it. Don't give in to Kirk Kerkorian.
By the same token, GM is at a crossroads with Saab, and the jury may still be out. If GM loses its grasp on the current offering, the brand could die, and that would be a substantial tragedy for something that is so good, so technologically astute, and so close to the goal.
Focus, focus, focus.
SEN
posted by 207.179.248...
, Sun, 5 Nov 2006 10:51:47, Wed, 8 Nov 2006 18:20:19
, Sun, 5 Nov 2006 09:06:38
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
