For the last time, hatchbacks are a Dead On Arrival issue in the US. It is engrained in people's minds that a hatchback is a low end vehicle (like a VW Golf). The dreadful American hatchbacks of the 70's like the Ford Mustang II (my sister had one) sealed their fate.

Most people buy family sedans, or if they need the space they go for the dreaded minivan or <horror> an SUV. I know we don't like it but that's the accepted fact.

Something like a Saab 9000 which was probably the largest hatchback you could ever buy simply drops off the radar screen.

If anything is making a comeback it's not hatchbacks, but instead WAGONS. Saab is right in the sweet spot with the 9-5 wagon... And I'm sure a 9-3 wagon is in the plan...

As far as I'm concerned Saab is doing the right thing... Sales will follow and THEN they can entertain the idea of offering a sporty Sonett IV with a hatchback in limited numbers.

And as for the argument that Mercedes (and a few others) are offering hatchbacks... Let's remember that they are much bigger companies that can afford to have a broader lineup and take some risks. If the C230 is a failure in the marketplace after a few years they can drop it and it's no problem. (Remember that the BMW 318 hatch was considered a dud)

A failure for Saab would be DISASTEROUS! They haven't been solidly profitable for over a decade... That's the reality that is driving this decision.

Enough said.

posted by 64.12.10...

• I've seen first official pics of the new 9-3, Clawfinger, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 07:25:55
  • How come no one mentioned engine lineup?, JIM, Mon, 29 Apr 2002 11:43:33
    • Re: How come no one mentioned engine lineup?, Ron H, Mon, 29 Apr 2002 12:19:33
  • I betcha its all a fake........, Paul , Mon, 29 Apr 2002 11:34:55
  • I'll wait for the Hirsch 9-3 Aero....AWD 6 Speed n/m, Johnny del, Mon, 29 Apr 2002 00:25:36
  • Hatchback Reality, Sieglo, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 16:33:08
    • There will NOT be one (officially confirmed), Clawfinger, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 18:03:05
  • I'm in love but would like a hatch also and 3 spokes, Atul, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 15:06:43
  • Sweet, Sieglo, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 11:28:38
  • Re: I've seen first official pics of the new 9-3, Jonas, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 11:04:37
    • nah - check the wedge shape, John A., Sun, 28 Apr 2002 12:47:12
      • that DOWN could read STRAIGHT (through), John A., Sun, 28 Apr 2002 12:48:56
  • Awsome!, Coolknight, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 07:41:01
  • Good looking car! A hatch would've looked better! n/m, KS, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 23:45:41
    • Hatchback: the article says wait for 9-3 X, TimF, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 19:47:03
    • Hatchbacks are dead. Long live the hatchback., Ron H, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 02:06:53
      • One mans 4D hatch is anothers 'touring' or 'sportcross', TonyinLA, Tue, 30 Apr 2002 14:15:16
      • Agreed... sadly for me and my wife - hatchback lovers., Scott Paterson , Sun, 28 Apr 2002 13:12:28
      • Spot On Analysis!, Viggen Pilot, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 10:56:31
        • Amen, brother!, Ron H, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 12:47:39
        • Re: Spot On Analysis! Disagree, cbbc 3, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 11:04:27
          • Re: Spot On Analysis! Disagree, Ron H, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 12:32:08
          • Re: Spot On Analysis! Disagree, reese, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 11:52:13
            • Mazda MP5, Toyota Matrix, Lexus IS300 hatch, Hood, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 12:17:14
              • You're onto something... Mercedes hatchback, Scott Paterson , Sun, 28 Apr 2002 13:13:58
              • Re: Mazda MP5, Toyota Matrix, Lexus IS300 hatch, Ron H, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 12:41:15
                • Ford Focus Hatchbacks sell like hotcakes..., IronJoe, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 15:35:27
                  • USA Auto Sales 101 - Volume, then Breadth. Sedan First., redirector, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 19:27:10
                    • Hallelujah, brother!, Ron H, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 21:56:00
                • But why ditch the hatch totally?, Hood, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 14:05:53
                  • Because they don't SELL, that's why!, KQuigley, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 15:32:49 <-- Viewing This Message
                    • They do sell, just not enough for future goals..., Scott Paterson , Sun, 28 Apr 2002 19:05:50
                    • What the hell is your problem?, Hood, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 15:54:26
                      • Yes, it's abrupt and the truth hurts..., Scott Paterson , Sun, 28 Apr 2002 19:10:26
                        • Amen again, brother!, Ron H, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 21:46:44
                      • Re: What the hell is your problem?, KQuigley, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 18:38:50
  • Am I the ONLY one who doesn't like it?!?, IronJoe, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 23:19:24
    • I agree with you., Tim S, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 12:34:54
    • Yup... You're the only one!, KQuigley, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 23:47:45
      • Now I'm the second one. :), Aaron Gilbert, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 02:38:48
        • Mazda already has in the Protege..., Craig, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 13:16:04
    • yeah, it's just you! ;-), Ron H, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 23:41:37
      • Re: yeah, it's just you! ;-), Henrik Wagner, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 07:22:26
        • You, my friend-are wrong about the engine options, Ron H, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 11:51:51
          • Re: You, my friend-are wrong about the engine options, Henrik Wagner, Mon, 29 Apr 2002 06:53:35
  • Any chance the Diesel will make it to N. Am.? n/m, Cannonball, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 18:59:40
    • No!, BillR, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 10:40:39
      • Diesel A Real Possibility !!, JEC, Mon, 29 Apr 2002 07:50:53
      • Perhaps diesels do not sell well here ? Not surprising, Cannonball, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 12:01:12
        • Re: Perhaps diesels do not sell well here ? Not surprising, JEC, Mon, 29 Apr 2002 07:54:25
          • Re: Perhaps diesels do not sell well here ? Not surprising, Dean, Mon, 29 Apr 2002 17:01:13
  • wait, did you say tabloid? :)......n/m, Quinn S. Kurz, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 13:37:57
  • looks nice, but looks like a BMW...n/m, Boris 88SPG, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 11:00:34
  • Now you can see it on the web!!! (Link), Clawfinger, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 08:22:02
    • Nice looking. Rough translation of info in the article, Notes, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 12:10:39
      • What's the picture of the rotating ring? Thanks. n/m, JWH, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 13:17:18
        • Article doesn't say. (nm), Hood, Sun, 28 Apr 2002 13:57:58
    • Roof line reminds me of the Audi A6 or VW Passat, Allen K, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 14:00:47
      • Doesn't Epsilon Come in a Hatch?, JWH, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 14:23:41
    • Wow, good job... and again, nothing like the spy shots., Scott Paterson , Sat, 27 Apr 2002 11:56:35
      • Re: Wow, good job... and again, nothing like the spy shots., Rick D., Sat, 27 Apr 2002 12:45:19
    • handsome, John A., Sat, 27 Apr 2002 08:41:16
      • Re: handsome, MJP, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 09:23:45
        • Re: handsome, Leon Murphy, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 11:11:40
        • Re: handsome, Fredrik, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 09:26:44
          • better bumper incorporation - less jutting - both ends, John A., Sat, 27 Apr 2002 09:49:26

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