As an American with Norwegian relatives who also has lived there, I think there are a number of reasons you won't see as many Saabs as you would think.

1. They are not gas efficient (compared to most cars sold in Norway). When gas is $5 a gallon, you pay attention when one car offers 30mpg and the other 35 mpg. They are also considered large cars, and in space-conscious Norway, large cars are more expen$ive. Having a 2.0l engine doesn't help, either, since cars were for a long time subject to tax based upon displacement.

2. Swedish stigma. Sweden ruled norway for a long time until 1905, and Sweden's ambiguous role in WW2 did not do much for its popularity in occupied Norway. people carry grudges. Of course, that doesn't explain the VW Golf's popularity in Norway, given that the car comes from a former occupying power.....

3. I think they, like Volvos, may be considered farmers cars. I saw dozens upon dozens upon dozens of Saabs and Volvos (especially Amazons) when I lived in Hov as a kid (along the Randsfjord in farm country 3 hours north of Oslo). But later years spend living in Oslo and Bergen did not yield a lot of Saabs and Volvos.....

4. Norwegians LOVE american cars. I remember in the mid 1980's Camaros used to sell new for 600,000 kroner -- $90K!

5. Most cars that seem to appeal to Norwegians are the German and French marques, with low displacement high efficiency gasoline engines (diesel isn't as prevalent there, usually because the diesel cars are more expensive and diesel fuel is not apprciably cheaper than gas).

6. There are plenty of Saabs and Volvos there, but I think psychologically you would think you would see more, so when you don't see as many as you think, you tend to believe there are virtually none.

posted by 208.200.185...

• Few SAABs in Norway, izzy, Mon, 16 Jun 2003 22:34:36
  • Re: Few SAABs in Norway, David Farley, Thu, 19 Jun 2003 15:57:47
  • Re:SAABs in Norway, Al S, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 17:53:14
    • Re: Re:SAABs in Norway, izzy, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 13:11:53
  • Re: Few SAABs in Norway, Hood, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 08:15:40 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: Few SAABs in Norway, izzy, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 13:09:58
  • Re: Few SAABs in Norway ( Possible reason ), Dave of Everett, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 00:56:31
    • Re: Few SAABs in Norway ( Possible reason ), izzy, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 13:04:56
    • Re: Few SAABs in Norway ( Possible reason ), Swempa, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 08:16:52
      • Re: Few SAABs in Norway (which models common?), Dave of Everett, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 02:42:10
        • Re: Few SAABs in Norway (which models common?), Rune Frilstad, Thu, 19 Jun 2003 03:29:21

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