There's One Born Every Minute .....

[SaabKen]

So the saying goes ......



Saab: 5,000 On Board With 9-7X Pre-Sell Offer
Source: Edmunds.com
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DETROIT — Saab dealers have been taking deposits for the company's first SUV, the 9-7X, a phenomenon that hasn't happened to the Swedish brand "in decades," according to Jay Spenchian, Saab USA general manager.

The 9-7X goes on sale later this spring.

In an April speech titled "The State of Saab," Spenchian said 5,000 people have signed up for a pre-sell offer on the 9-7X that includes three years of free XM Radio and the OnStar communications system.

"Through our Web site and dealer channels, we already received twice as many hand-raisers as for our previously best ever in that regard, our Saab icon, the 9-3 convertible," he said, referring to potential customers who have indicated an interest in the new SUV.

Spenchian said Saab will expand the 9-3 lineup with a new body style called the SportCombi. The SportCombi is based on the 2004 Sport Hatch concept car. The GM brand will also introduce a new 250-horsepower turbocharged V6 power plant across the entire 9-3 family, Spenchian confirmed.

Plans are also in the works for a "thoroughly revised 9-5," he said.

What this means to you: Business Week may be urging GM to dump Saab, but things seem to be cooking at the Swedish brand. There's really nowhere to go but up — or out of business.

http://forums.gminsidenews.com/showthread.php?threadid=14169

These people are suckers? I don't think so, considering they have 3 years of free OnStar and XM radio and they'll get the best GMT360 SUV and a pretty good SUV in its own right. Plus they'll get in the Saab fold and that benefits all of us, right?

The 9-7x has the potential to be one of Saab's biggest product launches. Selling 7000 a year seems conservative.

[SaabKen]

Actually that was rhetorical, since we all know the dichotomy of opinions about the 9-7X

It may go down in history as one of the most non-Saab Saabs that saved SAAB.

I actually can't wait to see one on the road.

Originally Posted by apzer09

These people are suckers? I don't think so, considering they have 3 years of free OnStar and XM radio and they'll get the best GMT360 SUV and a pretty good SUV in its own right. Plus they'll get in the Saab fold and that benefits all of us, right?

The 9-7x has the potential to be one of Saab's biggest product launches. Selling 7000 a year seems conservative.

[squishmann]

5,000?!!!!!?!?

That's gotta be a fleet order. There's no way 5,000 people are even interested in the 9-7X

[LST]

I've seen 2.. a Linear and an Arc... driven both..

Canadian price is ~$52k for Linear and ~$54k for Arc.

"The following comments are solely comparing relatively with a 03 Trail Blazer LTZ since I drove them back to back"

They have pretty tight steering, a good handling at the corners, the body roll is greatly reduced. I don't mind the interior for the price. I like some of the features that the "real" saab lacks; however, the presentation of these features are very envoy/blazer ish...

Arc has plenty of power and Linear is not sluggish. Conclusion: I will buy one for the price. Both of these are in or very close to 9-3's Steel Grey color..

[SaabKen]

LST,

Good to see another fellow Vancouverite. You can find Saab Club of Western Canada (based here in Vancouver) at: www.saabwest.ca


Cheers,
Ken
SCWC
'93 9000CSET

[indysaaber]

Originally Posted by SaabKen

LST,

Good to see another fellow Vancouverite.

Well, I'm not from Vancouver; however, I can certainly appreciate your city. Back in the late-80s, I spent 2 years in the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, Washington. I spent many a weekend exploring your great city and other parts of BC. IMO, Vancouver is one of the world's most beautiful and fun cities.

[Swade]

At risk of hijacking the thread, I visited Vcr last year and would be dead-set on moving there but for the 2 kids we have in school here in Oz. Loved it.

The 9-7x looks like it'll go well. A lot will depend on the reviews I think, but the few personal glimpses that are getting through all seem positive.

[CleveSaab]

What was that stat that I read? 35% of Saab owners traded in thier Saabs and bought another companies SUV. Maybe these people are coming back now.

Originally Posted by squishmann

5,000?!!!!!?!?

That's gotta be a fleet order. There's no way 5,000 people are even interested in the 9-7X

Yea, OK. They're just lying, right??
Well, I know one of those 5,000 people. Someone I work with is already signed up and waiting for her new (and her first) Saab.

[SaabKen]

Bingo ! Someone who otherwise would not likely have even considered buying a Saab. These first-timers will contribute to the Saab coffers and help bring the company get back on its own four legs again.

Originally Posted by CleveSaab

Well, I know one of those 5,000 people. Someone I work with is already signed up and waiting for her new (and her first) Saab.

Let's see, if Saab sells around 5,000 9-7X's this year, that will put them over what they had in 2004, guessing by how sales have been off this year. If they can move a few more 9-2X's and 9-5's, they could hit the 40,000 mark again. See, Saab really DID need an SUV.

[Lodro]

Originally Posted by SaabKen

Bingo ! Someone who otherwise would not likely have even considered buying a Saab. These first-timers will contribute to the Saab coffers and help bring the company get back on its own four legs again.

I dunno...I think the only way to really build an auto company is to invest a lot into developing truly compelling new products up front. That is how the Japanese do it, and that is how Ghosn revitalized Nissan. THis pay as you go crap that GM is up to just isn't going to cut it. They are going to get their a**'s kicked, me thinks.

[CleveSaab]

I think Saab is single handedly going to revive GM if you really want the truth.


The 9-7x WILL do well. 5,000 are the PRE-SALE #'s! That's GD impressive.
The 9-3SC I expect to also put up some very good numbers.
The 9-2x is being more widely accepted by people and the upcoming redesign of that should do better.

Saab = ca$h magnet for GM very soon. Mark my words.

[Lodro]

Originally Posted by CleveSaab

I think Saab is single handedly going to revive GM if you really want the truth.

They don't have the volume even on the highest expecations to do that much for the bottom-line. Perhaps in 7-10 if they were able to grow to the size of an Audi or even Volvo. That is a verybig if of course.

Originally Posted by CleveSaab

The 9-7x WILL do well. 5,000 are the PRE-SALE #'s! That's GD impressive.

Encouraging -- and the big win for GM would be that they would be able to get rid of more GM360s which are way over-capacity. That is the real win I could see for GM, but even then the volume is low to difference except on the margins.

Originally Posted by CleveSaab

The 9-3SC I expect to also put up some very good numbers.

Agreed..finally a *real* Saab.

Originally Posted by CleveSaab

The 9-2x is being more widely accepted by people and the upcoming redesign of that should do better.

From the numebr that are apparantly at the dock and the incentives they are giving they are having trouble giving them away. Still it takes time to build this kind of thing up. That is mostly what I meant about theinvestment comment.

Here is a fun game. What would you do to 'fix' GM? If I were GM I would...

1. Sell everything non-car related that wasn't bolted down, including GMAC, which they should be able to get a pretty penny for.

2. Throw all of that money into product development.

3. *Dramatically* simplify powertrain and platform, without resorting to brand-engineering. Tough, but doable. Nissan is able to do very well with basically one strong engine line (VQ) powering most of their american products. *And* they are still developing unique brands, w/ Nissan focussed on fwd, and Infiniti exclusvly rwd/awd.

3. Wait 3-4 years for the products and factories to be almost ready to roll, *then* file for bankruptcy, and at that time..

4. Unload unsustainable pension and union contracts as the airlines are doing. Tough but probably neccessary. At least the threat should bring people to the bargaining table seriously.

5. Get rid of in-house marketting, which sux (expept for caddy) and find decent, dynamic, and well-targetted advertising/marketting firms. GM isn't as bad as Ford at marketting, but that is damning with faint praise indeed. As I read somewhere, whose bright idea was it to promote cars with video from a space shuttle launch?! Fire those guys.

[Lodro]

Originally Posted by CleveSaab

Saab = ca$h magnet for GM very soon. Mark my words.

And sorrry to be so negative. I certainly hope you are right!

[Rob in Atlanta]

Originally Posted by squishmann

5,000?!!!!!?!?

That's gotta be a fleet order. There's no way 5,000 people are even interested in the 9-7X

Dunno. I helped a friend buy a 9-3 Arc the other week at Jim Ellis SAAB in Atlanta / Chamblee. While in the dealer making small talk with the salesman - one that I have used before and with whom I have a pretty good relationship - he mentioned that they were having a minor stampede with people intersted in the 9-7X. He said they have about 20 deposits on the new 9-7X and a long list of people to call when the first one arrives. Surprisingly, he said a large majority were SAAB owners who were either looking to replace their SAAB with a SUV or people looking for a 2nd vehicle to supplement their SAAB.

Personally, I think there might be an initial excitement that will soon die down and SAAB will sell a decent, but not enormous quantity of the vehicles. SAAB's research has shown a large number of its customers selling their SAAB's and buying a SUV or buying a SUV as a 2nd vehicle. If the salesman's anecdoctal evidence is correct, then maybe SAAB will have correctly figured out a way to keep SAAB owners in the fold.

[Rob in Atlanta]

Originally Posted by Lodro

I dunno...I think the only way to really build an auto company is to invest a lot into developing truly compelling new products up front. That is how the Japanese do it, and that is how Ghosn revitalized Nissan. THis pay as you go crap that GM is up to just isn't going to cut it. They are going to get their a**'s kicked, me thinks.

Agreed with the first part of your statement. However, one of the key elements lacking in making SAAB a larger player in the North American market is the lack of a truly widespread dealer network. Many people place great stock in having a local dealer to deal with issues and warranty items.

Georgia, the 9th largest state in the United States by population, has only five dealers - mostly centered around Atlanta. If you live in the other 85% of the state, you have no local dealer. Some states are even worse than this.

To attract dealers, you need to provide a sufficient volume to make the dealer financially viable. Increasing your product line helps with volume, but also helps by increasing showroom traffic which then allows the consumer to see and experience the other vehicles in the lineup. Increasing their product range to increase dealer volume and attract new dealers was one of Debra Kelly-Ennis' stated goals several years ago when she took over SAAB USA.

Ms. Kelly-Ennis also stated that the 9-2X and 9-7x were stopgap measures to quickly increase the volume in SAAB dealers. Actually producing a vehicle more custom-tailored to SAAB's needs was a longer term goal. I think we will see replacements for the 9-2X- and 9-7X-style vehicles that are more SAAB-like with significant input from SAAB in their development.

[Buddhabman]

Our local dealer in LA also has pretty big deposit list. If this car has the handling dynamics sorted out as well as GM and Saab are capable of, they might have a huge hit. It's nothing new style wise or tech wise, but handling and a good motor will make up for alot. We plan on buying in the fall, so I have the summer to check out the 9-7 vs. Tribeca vs. Pathfinder vs Trailblazer SS or used SRX.

Originally Posted by Buddhabman

Our local dealer in LA also has pretty big deposit list. If this car has the handling dynamics sorted out as well as GM and Saab are capable of, they might have a huge hit. It's nothing new style wise or tech wise, but handling and a good motor will make up for alot. We plan on buying in the fall, so I have the summer to check out the 9-7 vs. Tribeca vs. Pathfinder vs Trailblazer SS or used SRX.

Who's your local dealer? I've been meaning to see if either Symes Saab in Pasadena or Sherman Oaks has them in. They usually have them before they come up the coast here.

[Buddhabman]

Originally Posted by apzer09

Who's your local dealer? I've been meaning to see if either Symes Saab in Pasadena or Sherman Oaks has them in. They usually have them before they come up the coast here.

Sherman Oaks Saab / Casa De Cadillac - Love that name ;-) Last week I got the oil changed and spoke to the salesman who said their first 9-7 delivery was due in two weeks.