Chaz,

I agree the C900 is unique, sharing its' platform with no other cars, but that cost of that uniqueness is what got Saab into $ trouble. It is too expensive to design a platform that will be used on only one car.

You mention the "true classic 9000". You are right it will never be confused for a rebadged Chevy SUV, but it does not have a "unique design". That car shared its chassis with the Alfa Romeo 164, the Fiat Croma, and the Lancia Thema. I bet it can be confused with one of them.

You offer the Honda Element an example of a quirky nitch(sp niche) vehicle, but it uses the Honda global compact platform, which is/was shared with the USA/UK/worldwide 2 and 4 door Civic. People buy the Element because they want Honda Civic reliability with different interior/exterior packaging.

We are lucky Saab is given an opportunity to have input on the design of a new platform and to be able to tweak a platform to inject some Saab soul (not sole) into the final car.

Finally, what should corporate GM do with the information gained by the Swedish engineers at Saab who may discover a way to make a stronger, lighter, more fuel efficient car? Shouldn't they bring these advances to the other divisions? Why should GM not be able to apply technological advances made by one division to all divisions, if it will increase sales across all divisions, and therefore potentially make more money for its investors?

And so it comes full circle, back to money. Not having enough money to do the next chassis after the C900 lead SAAB to partner up on later platforms, and now as part of GM, the need to maximize returns to investors eliminates the major significant uniqueness you want in your new Saab.

If you want platform uniqueness, you'll need to look to the single marque manufacturers like Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes. Everyone else shares.

posted by 128.190.6...

• It's "Design a New Saab" time..., Noel, Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:00:53
  • Re: It's "Design a New Saab" time..., ursaw, Sun, 28 Oct 2007 20:40:27
    • Re: It's "Design a New Saab" time..., ursaw, Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:22:05
  • 9-5 Hatch?, B. Millar, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:35:27
    • I'd buy one, Finch, Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:39:24
      • Another rant about AWD..., dmz789abc, Sun, 28 Oct 2007 09:21:08
        • I need it., Finch, Tue, 30 Oct 2007 06:29:38
    • Re: 9-5 Hatch?, ursaw, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:44:12
  • have simple features that other cars have, qer, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:06:33
  • How's about ITS OWN PLATFORM ..., Chaz, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:27:07
    • Why is that so important? Correct me if I'm wrong, but, Noel, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:36:29
      • I believe you are wrong..., Chaz, Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:15:48
        • I believe you are wrong also, Jeff Bartlett, Thu, 25 Oct 2007 08:01:54 <-- Viewing This Message
        • OK, but as I understand it, a platform,, Noel, Thu, 25 Oct 2007 05:51:53
          • No Big Deal, Randy Thatcher , Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:43:13
            • Thank you, Randy. I was hoping someone, Noel, Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:05:37
        • Amen, brother....., jh, Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:39:55
  • Keep some & some new features..., AlS, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:05:57
    • Re: Keep some & some new features..., ursaw, Sun, 28 Oct 2007 20:45:52
  • My Saab......, cfishgo, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:40:50
  • My 9000 is perfect - would hardly change a thing, Rod , Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:49:39
    • Interesting you should say that..., Noel, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:12:00
      • Hatchbacks rule, AdamB , Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:14:15
      • Headroom, Rod , Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:47:49
        • I'd also add... Move the key to between the seats. n/m, UpstateNY Bill, Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:59:15
  • Re: It's "Design a New Saab" time..., 79-99, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 06:38:49
  • Look to the past, keep it simple., JMJ in NC, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 05:24:44
  • Some aircraft features would be nice..., dmz789abc, Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:10:23
  • Make it safe, sporting, useful, and Swedish, BrianG, Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:51:34
  • Our thoughts, Railhead & EMOB, Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:26:30
  • It's already been done..., Street, Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:29:54
    • Re: It's already been done..., swede-murphy , Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:00:40
    • Yes!!!...nm, Mike Lynch , Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:50:56
  • Integrated Hatch>>, bever77, Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:07:28
    • 4 door hatches are death..., Mike Lynch , Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:50:37
      • Depends on the market..., Eric Law, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 05:14:47
      • Re: 4 door hatches are death..., ursaw, Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:04:46
        • Re: 4 door hatches are death..., ursaw, Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:08:22
        • Agreed... mazda 6 hatch & wagon, cfishgo, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:01:32
          • Really pretty cars..., Finch, Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:13:26
      • Right on- see Volvo C30 n/m, Dennis_MA, Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:15:07
        • Re: Right on- see Volvo C30 n/m, Justin VanAbrahams , Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:32:28

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