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Wade has a far greater grasp of reality than Farago does. Wade's own site is well worth a visit itself. See the 96 movie clip. I would like to do to imbeciles who run in roads in winter what happens to the dummy running in this one. I wonder how many friends experssing this sentiment will win me? LOL
SAAB's are vastly more than badge engineered Opels. In fact, I think Opel is not a bad partner for SAAB; I'm not sure that I can think of a better European brand that's available to team SAAB with, except perhaps Renault. IF GM ever did sell SAAB, I would like to see Renault buy it. If GM does not sell SAAB, and I don't think it will, Opel is a perfectly acceptable partner, IMHO.
To give GM credit where it's due, I don't think they are missing out on anything by lagging behind on hybrid technology. I think E85 is an INFINITELY better proposition, and one that GM (with a large part played by SAAB) is a leader in. GM will probably see their stock drop a bit lower (my target Buy price would be $15...), but I think they will be at record highs in 5-7 years. Sure, GM has screwed up royally on a number of things over the years, but they are not the first company to find themselves in a pickle, and I don't think it's one they won't be able to extricate themselves from. I believe SAAB is a valuable asset to GM; SUVs are definitely in decline, and I don't think the average SUV buyer will be looking to trade it for a Buick - more likely for a BMW. SAAB is the only premium European brand GM has, and one of only two premium brands (along with Cadillac) that GM has. The End of The SUV has Ford positioned with Volvo and Jaguar, Daimler Chrysler with Mercedes-Benz, just to name the US manufacturers. GM has one Premium European Brand. It would be dumb not to take advantage of it. I think GM knows that.
I think (as I've thought for a long time) that the correct SAAB range would be:
1.) a $20k entry level model in 3 and 5 door hatchbacks, based on the Opel Astra, aimed as a Volvo S40 VW Golf competitor. It even would be a hatchback, albeit a smaller one, for traditional SAAB buyers who really want one.
2.) Current 9-3 SS/Combi
3.) A 'crossover' wagon, with AWD, priced under $35k.
4.) Current 9-5 sedan/combi *cough* updated a bit more frequently.
Finally, I'd like to see SAAB reduce their model cycles from the current of close to 10 years to something about 5-7 years, with one facelift in that period. Engineer the cars in Sweden, build them somewhere cost effective in Eastern Europe, share the platforms with Opel, and price them at a level you can sell them at without massive discounts.
If all of this was done, I don't think it would cost GM an arm and a leg to do, I see no reason SAAB couldn't exceed the magic 200,000 sales number within 3 years, and go to strength to strength from there.
posted by 151.203.12...
, Sun, 5 Mar 2006 13:37:39
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