Saab's Perception in Sweden?

[mikeucr]

Buicks in the US have the reputation as being big and boring cars for old people. Yet in China, they are considered the pinnacle of success and elegance.

What about Saab in Sweden? Has the perception changed of them in Sweden since GM took over? How have they been viewed in comparison to Volvo? It seems to me that Sweden is more proud of Volvo, but I could be wrong.

[mohooba93]

good question, i have always wondered the same thing. having two car companies with such history such as saab and volvo in a small country like sweden must make quite a debate.

[DanS]

That is a good question. I'm thinking like you guys, that Volvo would have a better rep in Sweden than Saab. Looking forward to hearing from people who know.

Volvo's depreciate more than Saabs in the US over a five year ownership period, which doesn't say much for Volvos. A friend is a mechanic at a Volvo dealership and said they are more of a PITA than Saabs to work on. I like Volvo's styling and features.

[DavidMorgan]

Frankly I have never paid any attention to Volvos since Simon Templar and the Saint..

Originally Posted by DanS

I like Volvo's styling and features.

But I didnt know they have any styling or features.

[DanS]

Originally Posted by DavidMorgan

Frankly I have never paid any attention to Volvos since Simon Templar and the Saint..



But I didnt know they have any styling or features.

There is something visually appealing about a Vulvo. I don't know if its the grille or the tapered rear.

[900t]

Originally Posted by DanS

There is something visually appealing about a Vulvo. I don't know if its the grille or the tapered rear.

It's your eyes... they are ugly and bland cars.

The exception of course is the P1800, and the original C70 coupe, in black

[SaabKen]

Originally Posted by DanS

There is something visually appealing about a Vulvo. I don't know if its the grille or the tapered rear.

Um, let's not be sexist and bring female anatomy into this thread

Back to VOLVO styling ..... I think the last great styling era was the 700-series and to a lesser extent the 800-series (but not the 900- nor S/V/XC era

[aeropilot]

Originally Posted by DanS

That is a good question. I'm thinking like you guys, that Volvo would have a better rep in Sweden than Saab.

Well, when I was in Sweden last August it looked like 50% of all cars there were either Volvo or Saab, and around Goteborg, I'd say that 50% was split pretty evenly between both, with newer 9-5's and 9-3SS making up a big percentage of those numbers, so I'd say Saab are still doing OK in Sweden.

Originally Posted by DanS

Volvo's depreciate more than Saabs in the US over a five year ownership period, which doesn't say much for Volvos.

Here in the UK it's the other way around......which doesn't say much for Saab's....
I think that's because it's a lot more well known that Saab is part of GM and get's tarnished with GM's 'cheap' brand image whereas Volvo being part of Ford isn't so widely known amongst 'Joe Public'.

[TooMany2cvs]

Well, of the relatives of Ellie's that we see in Sweden, there's a mix of cars...

1 x S70
2 x Fords
1 x Nissan (A Maxima, ffs...)
1 x somegodawfulgenericfareastern4x4
1 x 145 - one owner from new, too...

...and no Saabs whatsoever...

[Mattlach]

I lived in Gothenburg, Sweden for 16 years, and I have the following to say on the topic.

Saabs don't have the best image over there at least compared to Volvos.

Volvos are seen as serious cars. Rugged and dependable.
Saabs as some sort of aesthetic flaky thing that might break on you.

Also, for some reason, even though both companies have been bought by U.S. car companies, Saab is considered as being controlled by a lame U.S. corporation, whereas Volvo is still considered Swedish.

Its strange really.

[bcroft]

I don't know why but whenever I think of Buick I think of something like the picture below . As far as volvo vs saab, in my opinion, volvo is seen as "setting standards". When I got this Saab and drove it down to show my family, the first thing my dad said was "they are safe because they have a nice rugged frame like volvo right?"

[Mattlach]

Originally Posted by bcroft

I don't know why but whenever I think of Buick I think of something like the picture below . As far as volvo vs saab, in my opinion, volvo is seen as "setting standards". When I got this Saab and drove it down to show my family, the first thing my dad said was "they are safe because they have a nice rugged frame like volvo right?"

haha.. The grand national is the last thing to come to mind when I think of Buick.

Usually the first thing is an old lady with purple tinted hair peering over the wheel with thick glasses, but the ost you can really see are her knuckles on the wheel. Probably driving a 1993 Buick Lacrosse with one of those fake vinyl carriage tops.

While the grand national has an awesome engine, I can't help but think it got beaten with the ugly stick. Awful square box.

[bcroft]

Originally Posted by Mattlach

I can't help but think it got beaten with the ugly stick. Awful square box.

It was the 80s man haha.

Oh and on an off note, Matt, I went into cambridge yesterday to go to fire and ice and passed a nice 9-5 aero in your color, doubt it was you but still kind of funny.

[900t]

Originally Posted by Mattlach

While the grand national has an awesome engine, I can't help but think it got beaten with the ugly stick. Awful square box.

[boon94]

Originally Posted by bcroft

I see those all the time and theres always someone who appears to be a serial killer behind the wheel.

[Mattlach]

Originally Posted by boon94

I see those all the time and theres always someone who appears to be a serial killer behind the wheel.

Either that or their blasting Lynrd Skynrd, Guns 'N Roses or some other god awful music along those lines

[SaabKen]

Originally Posted by boon94

I see those all the time and theres always someone who appears to be a serial killer behind the wheel.

Overheard on SC's super duper top secret phone tap channels:

[Boon94]: "Oh is this 911 ? Sweet. Um, could you like, round up ALL the law enforcement in the state immediately ? Wazzat ? yeah yeah I know half of 'em are on long donut & coffee breaks right now ..... but this is URGENT ! Please tell them to arrest anyone driving a black Buick GNX ? I mean ANYone, okaaaay ?!?

Great thanks, and a good night to you too m'aam"

[ACBarnett]

Originally Posted by Mattlach

Also, for some reason, even though both companies have been bought by U.S. car companies, Saab is considered as being controlled by a lame U.S. corporation, whereas Volvo is still considered Swedish.

Its strange really.

That probably has to do with the fact that Ford treats Volvo like an independant entity that happens to be Ford-owned while GM seems to think of Saab as just another brand like Hummer, Pontiac, or Cadillac, another conduit through which to sell GM's.

Remember that most Volvos are still designed, engineered, and built by Volvo in Sweden with engines designed and built by Volvo in Sweden as well. Saabs since the 9-3ss on the other hand are designed by GM designers, engineered by GM Europe in Germany, and assembled in Trollhattan, using the Ecotec engine which is built in Tonawanda, NY and Germany, Italian-built diesels, and a V6 from Australia. Once production of everything but the 9-1 moves to Germany and Mexico just about the only ties that Saab will have to Sweden will be that sham of a "Saab brand center".

So the Swedes have a bit of a right to feel that Saab is no longer truly Swedish the way Volvo has managed to remain. The traditional Saab company has been dead for almost ten years now and there are serious questions about whether the frankenstein of a brand that GM has turned it into is capable of building the same quality cars that Saab was once known for.

As to Volvo styling, I love the old cars like the 1800ES, the 122, and the 140 series. I didn't like the 700's of the 80's with those low trunks, but I love the 700/900's styling after 1990. I also love the look of the 850, but hate the look of the original S70/V70, and especially the original C70. To me the old C70 is about as exciting visually as a Toyota Solara.

By far my favorite Volvos, both inside and out are the current crop starting with the original S80. They are exciting and distinctive looking, and to me they just ooze the kind of modern Scandinavian design that was so absent from the 9-3ss.

[Mattlach]

Originally Posted by ACBarnett

By far my favorite Volvos, both inside and out are the current crop starting with the original S80. They are exciting and distinctive looking, and to me they just ooze the kind of modern Scandinavian design that was so absent from the 9-3ss.

The S60R is a very nice looking car. Too bad they discontinued it.

The new S40 however has an odd stubby nose on it. Can't quite get into it, though it is a nice car to drive, and very spacious considering its size.