Saab/GM is attempting a major turnaround or looking to triple sales in 5 years (Saab stated double or triple was their goal...), they are correct in their focus with the 9-3... they must PRIORITIZE the largest addressable market that fits their values. That starts with a sedan.

KQuigley is right on -- Audi's turnaround was based on the A4 Sedan, and it retained Audi's Core Value -- Quattro. Recall that Audi had a nice hatchback coupe pre-dating the A4 -- they didn't update that variant as their renaissance vehicle. They chose a sedan -- proven acceptance by a large US audience. A good debate is what is Saab's Core Value -- seems like Saab's DNA includes a combination of fwd, turbo, safety, comfort... Not a single defining item (BMW's is the straight six plus 50-50 balance, so it doesn't have to be a single component). A hatch isn't a core value, it's a line extension.

Look at Saab's goal -- they need unit sales volume, then they can look to address manufacturing capacity to offer product line breadth. The first product must be addressed at the largest market segment -- the entry-luxury sports sedan market, dominated by BMW, Audi, MB, and hotly contested by Lexus, Infiniti, Volvo, and Passat. I don't know how many total sedans are sold in this segment, maybe 1.5 Million per year. Since Saab doesn't have a small sedan, for the vast majority of these affluent buyers, Saab's nice 9-3 hatch was not even considered an alternative.

Now, with all these competitors achieving volumes -- and maintaining some pricing and depreciation strength -- they can afford to diversify, offering their heavy store traffic some alternatives... AWD, Wagons, coupes, and a sprinkling of hatches.

But Hood, don't look at the Lexus or MB Hatch (or lowprice econoboxes) as evidence of a big sport-luxury hatch market -- they didn't start with those, they brought them on as flanking products to their bread n butter sedans.

Saab has bigger issues than retaining a small core hatch audience. They must grow, and GM is backing them with the $$$ to ensure they don't make the mistake of selling niche products to the same customer base year after year.

Original or distinctive strategy? Perhaps not. Tested and Successful? Absolutely. And if it sells (and it will, because Saab makes a great product, GM has the money and Lutz loves the Aero), they'll reverse their stance and make a hatch, too. But first things first.

Last point - the 9-3 sedan shouldn't cannabilize the 9-5 if they do their homework... All competitors have small medium and even large sedans to trade customers up as their needs change.

Redirector
2002 9-5 Arc sedan

posted by 168.73.24...

• 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 <-- Viewing This Message
                    • 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
                    • 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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