[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main General Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
found this interesting article on my college database... Posted by Frank [Email]  (#2509) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Frank) on Thu, 18 Jan 2001 18:09:54
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
|
SAAB SET TO BULK UP, BUT NOT NECESSARILY WITH AZTEK. (Saab Cars USA)(Brief Article) John Peter.
Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2000 Cahners Publishing Company
"In terms of our future product plans, we have an interesting and exciting product plan," says Saab Cars USA President Dan Chasins.
"We also have plans for entries in new segments," Chasins adds. "When we roll this whole plan together we really are looking for more or less a doubling of our product offerings and within several years a level of sales that will also be doubled from where we are today."
Chasins remarks came during the launch of Saab's 9-5 Aero wagon. The sales target may not be as far fetched as it sounds. Saab sold 39,541 cars in 1999. It was Saab's best year in more than a decade. And sales per outlet increased to 193 from 94 units in 1995.
What AI finds intriguing is the statement about doubling product offerings. Saab officials seem quite interested in the Audi All Road, the forthcoming all-wheel-drive variant of the A6 wagon. Currently Saab doesn't offer an all-wheel-drive system on any of its cars, something it knows it desperately needs to be competitive. Could an awd system for the 9-3 and 9-5 platforms be in the works?
When the much-rumored Saab version of the Pontiac Aztek/Buick Rendezvous utility vehicle was mentioned, Saab sources said, "Don't believe everything you read." Saab is aware of the image it's built in the marketplace and doesn't intend to lose that in favor of production numbers.
Insiders say Saab is still in negotiations with GM over a re-badged version of the Aztec, and has already turned down a re-badged version of one of GM's body-on-frame trucks, purportedly the GMC Yukon.
"We don't want to be another GM division," Saab sources say. "If Saab becomes a re-badged GM product, then we might as well close up shop."
, Thu, 18 Jan 2001 18:09:54 <-- Viewing This Message
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
