GM mulls Saab crossover

[Northstar]

By Jamie LaReau
Automotive News / October 28, 2005

DETROIT-- General Motors is considering a crossover vehicle for its Saab brand. GM would base the vehicle on a Cadillac concept and build it on a new, mid-sized crossover architecture.

GM will not say when it plans to unveil its concept model of a Cadillac crossover. But the company is thinking of designing a "highly differentiated" version of the Cadillac vehicle for Saab, says Robert Lutz, GM's vice chairman of global product development.

The company is examining a business case for the Saab crossover, Lutz said at a press event here this week, by weighing GM's investment against the vehicle's potential worldwide sales volume.

GM seeks to boost its U.S. market share in the crossover segment from 14.4 to 20 percent by 2010. The company plans to launch three crossovers in the next 18 months, Lutz says. Buick, GMC and Saturn each will get one of the vehicles.

GM offers seven crossover vehicles and plans to double that number by 2009. All new crossovers will be compatible with GM's hybrid technology, Lutz says. GM will offer most crossovers with V-6 engines and a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

"We won't offer a broad menu of engines," Lutz says. "We'll offer the engine that is the most optimal for each particular vehicle's size and weight."

If instability in fuel prices persists, Lutz adds, GM will offer more four-cylinder versions of the crossovers.

More: http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=13713

[Northstar]

So, it would appear GM acknowledges that the BRX exists, and I doubt they'd be talking about a concept version if it wasn't debuting this show season. Personally, I think GM should just sell Saab. I really don't think Saab is worth much except the dealership base in Europe for Cadillac to start a base. Once there are enough Cadillac dealers set up, there will be no point in keeping Saab, and thus no point in building this crossover.

[Guest Josh]

SAAB is dead in the water. They've been floating around aimlessly the past 5 years, even after the acquisition by General Motors. Personally, SAAB would have meant something if General Motors kept it "separate" like Saturn was during it's inception. Now, it's just part of too many brands without the volume to support it's survival.

[Croc]

Sweet. Josh, SAAB might be dead in the water, but GM has only invested a very minimal amount in it, namely the 9-3 and the badge-job 9-2X and 9-7X. If GM actually puts some money into SAAB and gives it new product, it might do very well.

[SimonDavid]

SAAB IS GM'S ONLY PREMIUM BRAND OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

Premium in Europe goes right down to Golf class and below - can you see Cadillac competing with the BMW 1-Series?

[cavalier36]

why not just make a Saab version of the Saturn Vue?? but put the turbo 4 cyl from the 9-3 in it.. change the front clip and the interior and walla we have a saab crossover..

[TurboRush]

Sweet.

Josh, SAAB might be dead in the water, but GM has only invested a very minimal amount in it, namely the 9-3 and the badge-job 9-2X and 9-7X.

If GM actually puts some money into SAAB and gives it new product, it might do very well.

[post="36410"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Dido, Right on the money......


Once GM has the time to truily focus on Saab (probably after its done with Cadillac, followed by Buick and Pontiac), then they will be able to build Saab back up the way it should have been a long time ago..... Let's hope that when they get around to Saab that it won't be too late!

Sales are already up this year (especialy in europe) and the 9-3 is selling decently..... that's just the beginning...