Re: Article from Automotive News/AutoWeek on GM & SAAB - Saab NG900 & OG9-3 Bulletin Board - Saabnet.com
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Re: Article from Automotive News/AutoWeek on GM & SAAB
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Posted by MOS (more from MOS) on Wed, 20 Nov 2002 10:28:12 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: Article from Automotive News/AutoWeek on GM & SAAB, Drew, Tue, 19 Nov 2002 13:56:24
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This is not good news and I'm afraid it will get worse.

I've looked at the new 9-3, its price, its competition and I think: "It's not good enough." Why did GM/Saab settle for a generic looking body shell that could have been built by anyone? How is this going to take buyers from the A4 and the 325/330? They are instantly recognisable and exceptionally good looking. Sprinkling a few Saab styling cues around doesn't cut the mustard in this segment. The interior is just as bad. It's good ergonomically but it's cheap and plasticky looking, even with leather trim. It fails to come up to the standard set by the competition.

If GM wanted a sales breakthrough with this car why did it fall into the same trap that killed the Ford Contour/Mystique in North America? The Ford was a global platform that was the right size in Europe and the UK but too small in North America. It languished in showrooms for lack of a useful back seat. The 9-3 is also a global platform with a marginal back seat. With the driver's seat adjusted for my 31-inch inseam no one can sit behind me.

It's not only the competition in or just above the 9-3's market segment that's the problem. The new Accord raises the bar for competition in the segment below. It's *big* inside; it's got superb seats (a first for Honda); it's got a ton of power and a 6-speed if you want it; an ultra stiff chassis; a much better warranty; a much better record of quality and resale value; a price for the most expensive model that is below the cheapest 9-3's.

The only thing the 9-3 might have going for it is superior driving characteristics but I just don't think that's enough to get bums into seats.


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