Brittiläisen Autoweekin verkkosivuilta löytyi tällainen juttu Saabin 9-7 SUVista:
Saab SUV submarined: Plans for 9-7 seven-passenger sport/utility vehicle killed by GM Europe
Saab’s hopes for a third vehicle line now rest squarely on something based on the 9X concept shown first in Frankfurt last year. That’s because General Motors has canceled plans to build the Saab 9-7, a Sigma platform-based, seven-passenger sport/utility vehicle for the corporation’s Swedish carmaker. Instead, all resources for Sigma-based niche vehicles are going into the 2004 Cadillac SRX “luxury activity vehicle” that will slot in beneath the Escalade.
The decision to kill the 9-7 is due, in part, to GM Europe’s continued inability to gain market share and GM Europe president Mike Burns’ focus on fixing Opel. But there’s another reason: An inside source says “Saab did its job too well [on a Sigma-based SUV]. They created a better design both inside and out and that would have stolen sales from Cadillac. GM still is U.S.-focused and Cadillac still needs help, so the decision to kill the 9-7 became much easier.”
The 9X remains a high priority at least, but a readily available platform is needed because Fiat will be unable to provide Alfa Romeo Spider platforms to Saab. The challenge is to locate an existing GM rear-wheel-drive structure that can be adapted to four-wheel drive. Contrary to last week’s report, Saab’s 9-3-based all-wheel-drive hatchback, dubbed 9-3X, is not affected by Fiat’s fate.
Eli aika "kivasti" tehty GM:ltä. Saab tekee tosi hyvän duunin kehitellessään 9-7 SUVin, ja sitten GM tyrmää sen, kun pitäisi saada Cadillacia myytyä. Ei hyvä!
Saab SUV submarined: Plans for 9-7 seven-passenger sport/utility vehicle killed by GM Europe
Saab’s hopes for a third vehicle line now rest squarely on something based on the 9X concept shown first in Frankfurt last year. That’s because General Motors has canceled plans to build the Saab 9-7, a Sigma platform-based, seven-passenger sport/utility vehicle for the corporation’s Swedish carmaker. Instead, all resources for Sigma-based niche vehicles are going into the 2004 Cadillac SRX “luxury activity vehicle” that will slot in beneath the Escalade.
The decision to kill the 9-7 is due, in part, to GM Europe’s continued inability to gain market share and GM Europe president Mike Burns’ focus on fixing Opel. But there’s another reason: An inside source says “Saab did its job too well [on a Sigma-based SUV]. They created a better design both inside and out and that would have stolen sales from Cadillac. GM still is U.S.-focused and Cadillac still needs help, so the decision to kill the 9-7 became much easier.”
The 9X remains a high priority at least, but a readily available platform is needed because Fiat will be unable to provide Alfa Romeo Spider platforms to Saab. The challenge is to locate an existing GM rear-wheel-drive structure that can be adapted to four-wheel drive. Contrary to last week’s report, Saab’s 9-3-based all-wheel-drive hatchback, dubbed 9-3X, is not affected by Fiat’s fate.
Eli aika "kivasti" tehty GM:ltä. Saab tekee tosi hyvän duunin kehitellessään 9-7 SUVin, ja sitten GM tyrmää sen, kun pitäisi saada Cadillacia myytyä. Ei hyvä!
Vastaukset 1
Vanhimmat
...yksi esimerkki GM:n merkkien välisestä priorisoinnista. Mietityttää vain miksi GM Saabin aikanaan osti? Oliko hinta kenties "liian" halpa. Jatkuvasti tavalla tai toisella käy ilmi kuinka Saabilla on ongelmia nimenomaan muilla osa-alueilla kuin itse autojen kanssa. "Syyt" onkin sitten vain paljon helpompi löytää itse autosta. No markkinoinnista tuossa palstalla olikin jo puhetta.