for old times sake…
Prologue: I published this post back in February of 09 — you may remember that’s when the economy was still completely falling apart and there was less oil in the Gulf of Mexico. It was meant to be a treatise on the need for marketing simplification…based on what the new GM has done since then — I feel validated. It may be too late for Saab, but the point is not lost.
Feb 20, 2009 –
I read today that Saab is now looking for a loan they probably won’t get, to buy their independence from their drowning GM parent. Too bad, this is a real Saab story…….Saab was started in 1937 to build air planes for the Swedish Air force, and they quickly switched their attention to building cars. If somewhat quirky, they’ve always been innovative. Their first model was based on a light weight 2 Cycle engine. They always knew how to squeeze a lot of performance out of a gallon of gasoline.
They introduced the three point seat belt, head rests, and the fold down rear seat, and equipped cars with four-wheel disc brakes, and fully independant suspensions, not to mention pioneering front wheel drive and trans-axle technology. They Aaways focused on occupant safety and performance, and always emphasized engineering. My last Saab was a 9000 Aero — a great car. I didnt buy another one only because I was not thrilled with the local dealer network. But IMHO, this is the type of car GM should build as oppsed to the plastic trimmed, under performing death traps that haven’t had significant engineering effort applied to them since 1945. After all, why replace six liter push rod gas guzzlers that make only 210 Hp with dual overhead cam turbo charged three liter 230 Hp engines that get twice the fuel economy or better — who would want that?
Mr. Wagoner, here is my reorganization plan for your (our) company: Can all the car divisions, badge the new Saab line up with the Chevrolet logo, and build some trucks with reasonable diesel engines in them. Then consumers can go to a Chevy dealer and buy a decent car, or truck depending on their needs. You will save a ton on branding and advertising, and you can do something really novel that you havent done in decades… spend some money on engineering. Save Saab — !
