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Has anyone else been paying attention to Saab and GM's ownership lately?
I have a few Saabs that I love. The first gen 9000 Aeros(converted my Turbo to one for the most part), 9-5 Aeros and Viggens. Saabs are quirky, they give the term "Saabness", thats what the cars posess. WhenGM took over many people feared the cars would lose that Saabness.
Saab owners are very loyal, they border on fanatical. It had been noted that Saab buyers had the highest level of education in the industry. I loved the 9-5 Aero when I drove it in 2000/01. The Viggen was the last 9-3 that was pre GM. Then came the new 9-3. The platform was shared with other GM vehicles. Many components are now seen on the Ion and Cobalt SS. I drove one for two weeks. It was a great platform and the Ecotec revved nicely....but it still seemed to be a bit down on Saab flavor.....afterall it was no longer a hatchback and there was no more coupe. But I think it helped saab sales. So GM didnt make me puke just yet.
But now over the past year or two GM has gone on full assault to destroy brand equity. First was the Saabaru, the 9-2x. Its a WRX or RS with a nice Saab nose job, some minor tuning and interior trim details and they call it a Saab. This wasnt that upsetting to me. We all know the Subie was a great car, but I always hated the nose and wouldnt mind an upgraded interior. But this still was a no no to purists. A this point I dont see these cars around much, I dont think they are selling very well.
But now they have gone a little too far. We have the 9-7-x. Saab does not have an SUV in its showrooms. Saab could have invtested money in AWD on the 9-5, but I doubt they would on such an old platform, perhaps it will show on the redesign. So I think they were scrambling to have an SUV. But man, a warmed over Trailblazer? This is an overextended vehicle. The commercials call it uniquely designed blah blah. Its an insult.
I am interested to see how this will all play out. These new offerings will do one or both of two things. You will get new buyers which will be new blood to Saab. You also may digust Saab purists and hurt brand equity. I understand the need to fill voids in the product line and making use of what you have. But these tactics could have short term releif lead to long term diminishing of a great brand.
Discuss.
I have a few Saabs that I love. The first gen 9000 Aeros(converted my Turbo to one for the most part), 9-5 Aeros and Viggens. Saabs are quirky, they give the term "Saabness", thats what the cars posess. WhenGM took over many people feared the cars would lose that Saabness.
Saab owners are very loyal, they border on fanatical. It had been noted that Saab buyers had the highest level of education in the industry. I loved the 9-5 Aero when I drove it in 2000/01. The Viggen was the last 9-3 that was pre GM. Then came the new 9-3. The platform was shared with other GM vehicles. Many components are now seen on the Ion and Cobalt SS. I drove one for two weeks. It was a great platform and the Ecotec revved nicely....but it still seemed to be a bit down on Saab flavor.....afterall it was no longer a hatchback and there was no more coupe. But I think it helped saab sales. So GM didnt make me puke just yet.
But now over the past year or two GM has gone on full assault to destroy brand equity. First was the Saabaru, the 9-2x. Its a WRX or RS with a nice Saab nose job, some minor tuning and interior trim details and they call it a Saab. This wasnt that upsetting to me. We all know the Subie was a great car, but I always hated the nose and wouldnt mind an upgraded interior. But this still was a no no to purists. A this point I dont see these cars around much, I dont think they are selling very well.
But now they have gone a little too far. We have the 9-7-x. Saab does not have an SUV in its showrooms. Saab could have invtested money in AWD on the 9-5, but I doubt they would on such an old platform, perhaps it will show on the redesign. So I think they were scrambling to have an SUV. But man, a warmed over Trailblazer? This is an overextended vehicle. The commercials call it uniquely designed blah blah. Its an insult.
I am interested to see how this will all play out. These new offerings will do one or both of two things. You will get new buyers which will be new blood to Saab. You also may digust Saab purists and hurt brand equity. I understand the need to fill voids in the product line and making use of what you have. But these tactics could have short term releif lead to long term diminishing of a great brand.
Discuss.
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