Your logic is correct as far as a car enthusiast goes, but as far as a business decision, it would not pass the muster in the US. To sell 1000 more cars,they could just drop the interest rate a bit and do the same thing. No new inventory,no new parts to worry about,it's easy.
Our problem over here is different than your's. Our roads are over run by 6,000 pound SUVs that are full of cupholders,DVD entertainment systems,seats that massage your aching back,towing hitches that can move your house,telematics,navigation systems, and all sorts of crap like this.
The factis, this is what the majority of the US market is looking for and buying, and that is why Saab is selling 40,000 cars per year here in a good year, and Lincoln sells three times that many Navigators.BMW and Mercedes are putting a lot of thier effort in this country into the X-5 and ML class vehicles,not the traditional sedans.
Is it good or right? Not in my opinion, but the fact is, if Saab wants to sell more here, they need to quickly develop the variantson the new 9-3 series with AWD and practicality,rather than the 310 HP super wagon. They are working on what is described as a crossover product for intro in a few years, and sorry to say,this is what most Americans are looking for.
I've been driving Saabs for ten years, and upscale European cars and sports cars for thirty five years, and write this not because I disagree with you, only as a signal that reality for American drivers is different than what you are accustomed to . People here know little about oversteer,understeer,brake bias,ESP,ASC+T,ABC, and all of the acronyms that describe auto performance.Here it is interest rate,monthly payment,trade in value,and accessories that sell cars.Right or wrong, that is what sells here.
Saab can afford to move ever so slightly closer to the American market feature set without destroying what makes it a Saab, and gain market share, but it needs additional products to do that. When it comes to priorities,I doubt that Saab's USA marketing team is looking to the super Aero to accomplish this goal.

posted by 24.128.2...

• It's official, Hirsch is official SAAB tunner!, Coolknight, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 04:54:32
  • Re: It's official, Hirsch is official SAAB tunner!, JimW, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 17:06:22
  • Image is important, Jarett, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 10:48:16
    • Re: Image is important, Lou, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 11:02:34
  • Here from SAAB with PIC! NM, Coolknight, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 09:15:02
    • Re: Here from SAAB with PIC! NM, Lou, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 10:09:08
      • Has lots to do with image thing., Coolknight, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 11:36:54
  • Maybe quicker if US SAABers ask about it! NM, Coolknight, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 09:09:50
  • Re: It's official, Hirsch is official SAAB tunner!, Lou, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 08:06:39
    • Anyone ask SAABUSA to comment about prospect? Scott?, gc, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 13:52:21
    • Now Saab can play with the big boys..., Raymond, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 12:18:26
    • Re: It's official, Hirsch is official SAAB tunner!, Ron H, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 11:27:05
      • They can't make it on this platform. NM, Coolknight, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 11:38:08
        • Re: They can't make it on this platform. NM, Ron H, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 13:10:06
          • You never know who's reading.... NM, Coolknight, Thu, 7 Mar 2002 04:39:08
    • They will cover all markets over time..., Coolknight, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 09:00:01
      • The US market, Lou, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 09:21:18
        • For SAAB in the USA, 1000 cars is many. NM, Coolknight, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 09:40:45
          • Re: For SAAB in the USA, 1000 cars is many. NM, Lou, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 16:38:04 <-- Viewing This Message
            • Re: For SAAB in the USA, 1000 cars is many. NM, Jim, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 19:52:47
            • Lou, after what you have said the only thing to save..., Eli5, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 16:48:15
              • Re: Lou, after what you have said the only thing to save..., Lou, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 17:59:49
  • Definitely positive ..., Christof Stefaner, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 05:49:56
  • This is worldwide :) Hirsch is the tunner :), Coolknight, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 05:03:21
    • Great News.....available in Singapore too? n/m, C H Tay, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 07:47:49
      • FWD with 305HP????, Eduard, Wed, 6 Mar 2002 16:51:22

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