Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 13:41:31 -0500 From: "Walt Kienzle" <wkienzlenopsam.com> Subject: Re: GM Influence
Hopefully GM's ownership of Saab will be used to create buying power with vendors, and won't just become Opel's made in Sweden. Part of Saab's charm is their unique way of doing things -- for example, I can't think of any other manufacturer that puts a turbo on every engine in every model. Subaru also offers their own uniqueness in a different sort of way: all wheel drive available on every model offered. GM also owns an interest in them. Personally, I can't object too much to these GM acquisitions, because it gets me an employee discount (through my father) on the purchase of a new Saab. The question of why would anyone buy a Saab that looks like other GM cars is a good one that can be applied to products in the US. GM in the US has 7 (soon to be 6) divisions of cars that are nearly the same and, in my opinion, are only fit for use as rental cars (mainly because not much else is available from most rental companies). It seems that others agree because GM's market share once put them at #1 but has declined by about 50% over the past few decades. Distinctive models like the Camaro are being discontinued because there is little customer interest in the model, probably due to poor execution since Ford's competing Mustang has been selling well enough to remain in their product line. And the Cadillac Catera, which was only a little more than an Opel with a Cadillac grille sold poorly because of its boring looks and because they refused to import any with a manual transmission. Now CTS, the Catera replacement, is made in the US and is available with a manual transmission made in Italy. Too bad they didn't get it right the first time, because the CTS is a really odd looking car. At least it isn't boring. Walt Kienzle 1991 9000T "Ed" <epugh1nopsamp.rr.com> wrote in message news:0rsa9.252395$8M1.40737511nopsamter.nyroc.rr.com... > What is the input in design on current and future models of Saab? Is > drivetrain, chassis of Swedish design or is it GM. Also powerplant. > > If the answer is that the new Saab is basically a GM product then why would > one buy it? > > -- > mailto:epugh1nopsamp.rr.com > >
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