SAAB USA needs to make money. They don't need to complicate things and take risks. Having diesels mean they mechanics need to learn the quirks of the engine, having dealers stock another bunch of combinations (e.g. manuals, automatics, white, silver, red, black, blue, sunroof, no sunroof, Linear TDi, Arc TDi, etc.) I don't think there are that many people who are in the market for a diesel car. The Mercedes diesel buyers are Mercedes/BMW/Lexus buyers, not VW Diesel vs. Mercedes diesel vs. diesel pickup buyers.

Granted that certifying a diesel for importation is easier than a new model, I think SAAB needs a hatchback (GM makes an Opel Vectra hatchback). If they have money, a Sonnet would be nice as well as a distinctive SUV. Maybe even a 9-1 and a revamped 9-2. After they do all that then a 9-3TDi makes sense.

I fear for SAAB. Not in 2006 or 2008, but 15 years from now, the brand may be dead. Image is very important. That's why people pay more for Toyotas and Hondas and BMWs, but not Chevys. If you don't back up the image with substance, eventually the image is lost. The Cadillac Catera/Opel Omega wasn't a bad car but it had no image so it was dropped by GM. When SAABs are made in 5 countries and look like Subarus, Chevy Trailblazers, Opel Vectras (none sold in the US so they can fool some of us), image deterioration is possible and so is the temptation to use borrowed bad engineering. Doom is not inevitable but possible. Ford appears to be a better user of shared, but separate technology (such as in the Volvos and Mazdas).

posted by 144.30.14...

• Will 93 diesels come to NA??, Mark, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 10:18:04
  • Re: Will 93 diesels come to NA??, Eric, Tue, 29 Mar 2005 16:02:27
  • Diesel cars are very popular..., 11SAV7, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 22:07:15
  • I test drove a Jetta TDI last year, and ..., Eric, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 16:52:04
    • We love our Jetta TDI, r2, Tue, 29 Mar 2005 15:21:56
    • Re: I test drove a Jetta TDI last year, and ..., Dean, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 17:05:45
  • Diesel would be a good fit with Saab.., Mike Lynch , Mon, 28 Mar 2005 15:12:22
  • I hope so, kaslop, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 12:33:15
  • Re: Will 93 diesels come to NA??, Eric, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:34:39
    • I dunno about that, NateinAA, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 12:15:59
      • Re: I dunno about that, Jim, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 14:26:45
    • Re: Will 93 diesels come to NA??, Mark, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 12:13:18
      • I hope they stay in France where diesels are popular, Dave 37, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 16:51:57 <-- Viewing This Message
        • Re: I hope they stay in France where diesels are popula, Mark, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 17:12:54
          • How about a trade?US gets TDi, Europe gets 9-7,9-2, Dave 37, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 17:23:44
            • Re: How about a trade?US gets TDi, Europe gets 9-7,9-2, Mark, Mon, 28 Mar 2005 22:26:45

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