Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 23:12:21 -0000 From: "Simon Watkins" <siwatkinsnopsamIEIO.org> Subject: Re: New 9-3 model??
"KeithG" <noonenopsamhlink.net> wrote in message news:a6r5f9$6k6$1nopsam.atl.mindspring.net... > It is US GM influence, I can guess. All driven by marketing and > questionnaires. They look at the Passat/a4 and see how well they sell here > and want to emulate that while leaving the traditional Saabers in the lurch. > Look at the 9-5. Same deal. I am guessing that the marketers are saying 'If > they don't want a 4 dr, give them a wagon'. This is not to discount the 3 dr > which supposedly will come later in the model year. >A 5 dr is the most > useful body configuration, period. For you :-) Not necessarily for everyone. Personally I hate hatchbacks. Small, cheap cars are hatchbacks - shopping cars (A very personal view, before I get flamed!) > The funny part is that the 9-3 5 dr sells better than any other > configuration. Then again, Marketing models don't lie, do they ;-) It's cheaper and thus more can afford it. I think the 9-3 is ugly (old-fashioned), but I love my Saab 9-5. The point I'm making is that we aren't all the same, we each have our preferences, different needs etc, and we don't all want a hatch :-) I thought the artists impression 9-3 was a pretty good looking vehicle. Maybe more mainstream than the old 9-3, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing - Saab have a reputation for being quirky and odd, and whilst some of us like that (vive la difference), many don't, and that hits resale values and market share. From a marketing perspective, it makes sense for Saab to become more mainstream. Simon