compaqted was talking below about the core competencies of Volvo below, and it got me wondering...Volvo is enjoying huge success for good reason. They have core competancies, sure, like safety, reliability, elegance...but the one key word, of course, is safety. "Safety" is pure gold in today's climate, sitting right under the nose of Ford...you darn well better throw them a little money to ensure great design and then keep your hands (and platforms) off. If they look remotely good, they will sell themselves. Decades of marketing focus are paying off. Volvo's time is now (...I guess).

We talk about Saab's core competancies (safety, luxury, speed, handling etc.) but is there one overriding word? I think GM needs to pick ONE and develop it. My vote is for "function", which could encompass reliability, as well as the pleasure of ownership...a sort of "it just works" ethos. It seems that a fair place to begin with this would be to ensure that customer service is second to none...in raw, tangible, quotable numbers that could be placed in an ad. Hand in hand with the brand. Then, make the cars a functional pleasure...every interface a delight. Yeah, like Audi, but moreso, and not so trendy and fru fru....big weighted steel knobs, toggle switches, high-quality gauges, plain tan baseball-glove leather that will darken with age. Xenon and neon on every model (shouldn't be a question whether you need it if it's been proven to function better). Excellent, interchangeable parts (among Saabs) to reduce cost. Oh, and the bodies...unpainted polished aluminum for every car : ) Maybe fewer aesthetical options, but those available are already perfect. Anyhow, that's my "functional" Saab. I just want the company to be a success, is all, somehow...

posted by 4.239.6...

• I think Saab needs a key word, not just a "competancy", McTeague, Thu, 3 Jun 2004 19:28:21 <-- Viewing This Message
  • I redesigned Saab's corporate identity for class... (+), Adrian, Thu, 3 Jun 2004 23:55:13
  • Umm, they do. Fun!, Chuck, Thu, 3 Jun 2004 21:52:10
  • not a keyword ... but ... not sure what term to use, Trev, Thu, 3 Jun 2004 19:54:59

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