Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 08:49:16 -0600 From: Gavin Haslett <thumper_svxnopsamo.com> Subject: Re: Saab losing it's identity ?!
I really don't think so... Saab has a history even with GM of bucking the GM trend and not bowing down to what GM management wanted. I heard recently that GM had asked Saab to build an SUV and the engineers at Saab refused on the basis that an SUV wasn't what Saab did... they do cars. Think of Saab as like the John Delorean of the modern GM... they don't necessarily do things the way GM management like... but GM leave them alone because whether they like it or not, Saab still bring in the money and build DAMNED fine cars. Just read up a little on the history of the GTO to see what I mean by that analogy! Saab will always retain its identity as far as I can see... they have to. They're still breaking new markets... and doing very well at it too... but still the majority of Saabs are sold to Saabophiles like the people in this NG. In fact Saab has one of the highest rankings as far as repeat customers... got to say something for the quality of their cars. Me? Well, when my 900 finally bites the dust (many moons from now if I can help it), I'll definitely buy another Saab. I love it, my SO loves it... and it's a fantastic family car at the same time as being a performance machine. Quite a delicate balancing act, and done better by Saab than any other manufacturer out there. As an aside... car magazines often rate Saab lower than say BMW because most magazines are written by performance car enthusiasts. The Saab lacks in performance next to its peers until it gets up to highway speeds... but it handles at least as well as a BMW and provides better hauling ability than most SUV's. Practical performance... something I don't think anyone does like Saab or ever will. Saab's been doing it for a LONG time... and they've got it right IMO. -- Gavin Haslett thumper_svxnopsamo.com http://www.geocities.com/thumper_svx "Ahhhh... Mountain Dew... nectar of the geeks!"
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