This is what I think could happen. There is already some platform sharing on these cars, and with Opel in Europe now taking the lead in Saturn models, there is something to be said for a Saab-Saturn alliance/merger/whatever-you-want-to-call-it.

GM is actually good at offering the same vehicle in different badges and skins, so it could be done with Saab and Saturn and keep them with unique identities. With strong warranties, some unique features and the blend of performance-economy-safety Saab could become much stronger.

I drove a 9-3SS the other day and while it is a lot different than my 9000 or 9-5, and way different than my long-gone C900, it was "Saabish" enough to be on my short list for next car. I don't care what the platform is if the car still feels the way I like it to feel. The reality is that Saab can't exist without sharing platforms and basic engines and drivelines with other cars.

Some here say the newer cars aren't "real" Saabs. Well, OK, but what makes a car a "real" Saab? To some it means a 2-stroke motor and freewheeling. To others it's a 99 or C900.

Another comparison: Many people loved the old air-cooled VW bug. Is the current VW Beetle still a Volkswagen? Sure seems to sell well.

Some say the only "real" Porsches had air-cooled engines. But Porsche is doing quite well these days selling water-cooled models.

Times change. And so do cars. We can look fondly back on 93, 95, 96, 99 C900 Saabs. But would they sell today to more than a handful of purists?

• Businessweek says Saab didn't earn $$ in U.S., 9-3 Dog, Wed, 9 Jul 2008 16:12:19
  • Some good comments at Businessweek..., Ted Y, Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:38:17
  • absolute denial of selloff(s) n/m, JohnA , Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:23:05
    • Agreed - More Wall Street Journal Denials, Scott Paterson , Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:29:32
  • If GM sells off Saab, will Saabers stay loyal? YES!, JMJ in NC, Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:38:51
    • Not really - they've already lost us..., Wavey, Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:00:42
      • Re: Not really ... lost us... Got me back, Dave Chicago, Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:04:55
      • Re: Not really - they've already lost us..., Red93SEinBklyn, Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:59:03
        • Saabs & Saturns ..., Trev formerly Trev, Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:19:38
          • Re: Saabs & Saturns ..., Noel, Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:18:00 <-- Viewing This Message
            • Re: Saabs & Saturns ..., Wavey, Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:05:29
      • Re: Not really - they've already lost us..., AdamB , Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:53:27
  • Many companies don't pay to export to the US, Mike in Anchorage, Wed, 9 Jul 2008 21:16:45
    • Saab has always treated me right, Steve in Chicago, Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:42:58
    • Re: Many companies don't pay to export to the US, Dan-O, Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:14:15
      • Re: Renault-- but hasn't Carlos Ghosn, head of, Noel, Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:30:56
        • People here still remember them as "Le Junk...", CarterB, Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:58:08
        • Renault was talking about heading into the US, Dean C, Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:47:58
          • What about Tata? Saab, made in India, samk, Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:03:48
            • Re: What about Tata? Saab, made in India, birminghamsaab, Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:25:43
              • Are any of the Alabama car plants unionized?, Bill Homer , Sat, 12 Jul 2008 08:55:00
                • Re: Are any of the Alabama car plants unionized?, birminghamsaab, Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:33:41

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