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Re: Now I get it Posted by Snowmobile [Email]  (#686)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Snowmobile) on Thu, 11 Jul 2013 10:59:55
In Reply to: Now I get it, DE  [Profile/Gallery]
, Thu, 11 Jul 2013 09:44:21
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Not at all. People bought new SPGs. People buy new Porsches and people buy used Porsches. Why as a used buyer would I buy a used Saab vs a used BMW? New or used, people bought into older Saabs in a large part because the cars were unique in many respects (aesthetics, safety, hauling capability/size). Just like people buy a 911 because it is a 911. If you look at a 1973 911 or a 2013 911, you can immediately see the connection in spite of massive technological progression. And that is what GM should have done with Saab (and largely did prior to the 9-3ss), and what NEVS should do now. (imho)
Saab was in financial difficulty in the late 80's, and in fact probably had its best sales under GM's ownership with the 9-3ss. But that doesn't mean that GM managed things better. Some things probably did get better, and others less so. The 9-3ss is a great car, but it was sold strictly as a value proposition vs the Germans. It brought in new buyers attracted by that value proposition but it turned off many formerly repeat buyers who wanted a hatch. Imho no euro manufacturer (except possibly VW) can win a value proposition war now that Korea (and soon China) are involved. There has got to be something unique in the product that some segment of the buying public wants that they don't get from someone else. And that segment need not encompass 70% or even 10% of the market, but the company has to be sized to be profitable and stable within the size of that niche (eg as Koenigsegg is in the supercar niche)...
Saabnet is a problem solving board, so there is obviously a higher percentage of used buyers here than new buyers (especially now that there are no new cars to buy!)... but as has been discussed many times before, if there are no used buyers, then there is no trade in value and that hurts new sales (effectively makes the new car more expensive). The first 4 years of car's life see massive depreciation and the following 6 are often almost as trouble free. So I don't value those first 4 years like new buyers do, but that doesn't stop people from buying new. Likewise, I would never buy a first model year of any car new or used... but that doesn't stop many people! If a car is desirable, it will be desirable both new and used.
You do make a good point though that there is a dichotomy between the interests of a new buyer vs a used buyer. That dichotomy has steered the industry as a whole down a road more like Kia/Hyundai. That probably affects all manufacturers to some degree. It is perhaps frustrating for used buyers (who probably value long term durability over features), but it will affect supply/demand and things will work out.
At this point, if we needed to replace a car, and if NEVs were to come out with a series hybrid that had all the attributes I associate with a Saab, I would be much more inclined to buy new, because supplies of good used Saabs are starting to wane, and I feel that we are at the crux of a massive technological shift in the automotive industry, imho for the better. I don't anticipate buying another car with a purely ICE motor in it.
, Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:28:45, Tue, 16 Jul 2013 07:58:38
, Thu, 11 Jul 2013 04:53:09, Thu, 11 Jul 2013 06:20:26, Thu, 11 Jul 2013 09:44:21, Thu, 11 Jul 2013 10:59:55 <-- Viewing This Message, Thu, 11 Jul 2013 15:32:40, Fri, 12 Jul 2013 02:52:25, Sun, 14 Jul 2013 17:18:56, Mon, 15 Jul 2013 03:54:40, Mon, 15 Jul 2013 08:04:12, Fri, 12 Jul 2013 12:42:47, Tue, 16 Jul 2013 08:46:52, Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:36:08, Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:47:33, Wed, 10 Jul 2013 13:53:35
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