Saab in trouble (again)?

[Seansene]

Apparently Saab needs to increase it's volume, and soon, if it's going to be spared the chop from parent GM. After spending about S$1b on the Swedish subsidiary last year, the US-based giant expects some results by 2004, otherwise Saab faces a merger, or even worse, being sold off or liquidated.

 

Bob Lutz, GM's product chief, explains it this way: "Of course we could keep on treating Saab like a protected species that builds very cute and very Swedish cars, but unfortunately they can't build enough of them." Looks like he doesn't understand the non-US market, but numbers speak louder than quirkiness, I guess.

 

Almost as proof of GM's bad handling of the Scandinavian brand, it's upcoming made-for-US-only 9-2 is going to be based heavily on the Subaru Impreza, something neither company is happy with. Subaru understandably doesn't want to give away it's hard-earned chassis to a potential competitor, while Saab says the Impreza's longitutinally-mounted boxer engine and AWD is incompatible with its own transverse FWD layout.

 

Hoo boy, can't GM learn from Ford and its Volvo helmsmanship?

[Saaber]

SAAB CARS USA SETS FIRST-QUARTER SALES RECORD

 

Sales of 10,885 cars is the best first quarter in Saab's 47-year U.S. history

 

Norcross, GA - Thanks to three consecutively strong sales months, Saab Cars USA reported sales of 10,885 cars in the first quarter - the company's best first-quarter sales results in its 47-year history, and a 19 percent increase over January-March, 2002 (9,138 cars). Saab's previous best first-quarter in the U.S. was in 1987, when the company sold 10,630 cars in the first-quarter, on its way to selling more than 44,000 cars for the year.

 

"It's been an excellent first quarter for Saab despite the difficult challenges that we and other automakers are facing," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, President, Saab Cars USA. "In particular, reaction to the new Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan has been absolutely fantastic, as it is out-selling its predecessor by more than 31 percent.

 

"And now that we've launched the uplevel 210-horsepower 9-3 Sport Sedan variants, we are very confident that we'll keep the momentum rolling and grow sales even further."

 

In March 2003, Saab sold 4,736 cars. The new Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan continued to set the sales pace with a volume of 2,680 units retailed. Saab also sold 958 9-5 Sedans in March, which provided a 14 percent first-quarter increase of this model over 2002 (2,204 units vs. 1,930). Additionally, Saab retailed 308 9-5 SportWagons and 761 9-3 Convertibles in March. On Tuesday, April 15, Saab will reveal its all-new 2004 9-3 Convertible at the New York Auto Show.

 

Not to be outdone, Saab's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Program also continued its record-setting year, selling 703 cars in March, which bests its previous record month of 500 cars in January 2003. For the first quarter, Saab CPO sales are up 172 percent over 2002 (1,644 units vs. 604).

 

The U.S. is the Sweden-based car manufacturer's largest market. Saab Cars USA, Inc. is the importer of Saab 9-5 and 9-3 automobiles for Saab Automobile AB and is headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, near Atlanta.

 

For more information, visit www.saabusa.com

[Seansene]

That's good to know. And the drop-top 9-3 will definitely do well in the States, where that kind of car is really appreciated

[Gadgeter]

Hmmmmmm...... saaber in to protect his beloved brand...

[Saaber]

No lah, to get all the facts right......

[Gadgeter]

hahaha... just kidding you only lah...

[Saaber]

I know lah...

[Seansene]

It is still true that GM is not handling Saab as well as it could have... then again, it's easy to say that in hindsight

[Jman]

Please help save saab

[Saaber]

Yep, you are right......they could have handled it better..

[Saaber]

[Seansene]

You want me to buy a Saab? I would if I had the $$, they still make my favourite interiors in the world, bar none