Date: Sat, 05 Dec 1998 16:32:42 GMT From: r600nopsamejanews.com Subject: Re: Old Saabs vs New Saabs
As an American, I can confirm that often there is no logic to American buying habits, eg, sports utilities that never go off-road, the assumption that one must have a V6 in an entry-luxury car, etc... Unfortunately, a small company like Saab can't change that, yet must still sell significant volume in the U.S. to survive. Regarding your comments about individuality and Saab's relationship with GM -- the interior of the 9-5 is a more modern version of the 9000. It's not as creative as the interior of the 9-3 (I think a successful update of the 900 interior), but is unique, well-organized and well-crafted. For me, the problem is the outside -- yes it has some traditional Saab styling cues like a clamshell hood, three-spoke wheels, etc..., but it could have been so much more. There is a Swedish book available about the development of the 9-5. Inside, you can see the designers drawings -- if the car had been made to look closer to the designers vision, the 9-5 would be the style leader, not the A6. However, this is where GM accountants and finance people stepped in and ruined it. GM's continuing problem is simple -- to develop appealing cars, you must have a car guy at the helm. GM is led by a bunch of accountants who don't know the first thing about the import entry-luxury segment. This is not editorial, it's fact. In article <74b2cd$4tu$1nopsam3.Belgium.EU.net>, "Johan LAUWERS" <lauwers.sablonnopsam.be> wrote: > Hi Harrie, > > Indeed. What strikes me are two things. > > 1. Why do Americans need a V6. Half a year ago I was coming from the > Netherlands and a BMW 530i couldn't follow my father's previous 900 Turbo > 16s Aero. Don't forget that the turbo was a 1989. Are Americans still > thinking that who bigger it is, the better it this. Elementary fysics shows > though that a V6 is fysically seen slower (called inertion). If they buy a > V6 for the sound I think they just have to put another exhaust on their 4 > cylinder and the effect will be the same. Please don't give me this 'The V6 > drives smoother' thing. Drive an ecopower Saab (still genuine Saab engines) > and you'll know that it drives as smooth (or even smoother). > 2. Second but not least important is that the problem with our modern > society is that individuality and true quality are no longer important. > It's like in classical music. I play the violin myself so I know a bit > about what I'm talking. Today most of the classical concerts have to be a > huge concert, videowalls (e.g. the three tenors : makes me want to puge). > In car industry it's just the same. Everything is trown over board except > that all the cars must sell like crazy and would be very appreciated if they > all look alike. Take e.g. the (European) new Toyota Corolla. The nose is > an exact copy of the (European) Ford Focus. The rear of the Audi A6 is an > aerodynamic result of some computer package without any insight what so > ever. Even the interior of the new 9-5 has to give in. Why ? Because G-M > sponsers and makes (sometimes stupid) decisions. In Europe GM has allways > deliverd Opel which is a brand with no class or style what so ever. > Unfortunately Saab needed them or they won't be producing cars anymore. > Gives me a strange feeling. > > Johan LAUWERS. > Belgium (don't forget Harrie). > > -----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==---------- http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
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