RUMOR: Would You Be Interested In A Baby SAAB?

It seems that the entry-level premium segment continues to heat up. With the latest entrants being the Lexus CT200h and Audi A1, this price segment continues to grow by the year.

While we have seen the relative success of BMW's 1-Series and Audi A3, would it be a good idea for Saab to capitalize on this market and launch a product that will be more of a volume player?

Because if there is one thing the brand needs, it is to sell 100,000 + cars.

Experts analyzing the scene have said that is the number the newly owned automaker needs to hit to become profitable. However, we think that number may need to be a bit higher considering the quirky brand never was a profitable entity under General Motors -- except for 1994.

So, what say you Spies?

Our friends at AutoBild have created a mock-up from what appears to be a MINI Cooper, click "read article," for a couple of pictures.

Is this the kind of car that will get it done for Saab?








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synx - 3/6/2010 11:30:42 PM

+2 Boost

Great idea. Crap pictures

dumpsty - 3/8/2010 9:21:30 AM

+1 Boost

Agreed. The Subaru-based 9-2x was OK. But needed to be further developed or evolved to meet the consumer expectations regarding overall performance and exterior design. If Subaru had ever decided to do an EVO-edition of that particular model size --- that's what we expect the next 9-2x, 9-1x to be like today.

Milton - 3/7/2010 5:04:10 AM

+1 Boost

I wouldn't be interested in any kind of Saab

Steve - 3/7/2010 10:25:07 AM

+1 Boost

SAAB needs to do something other than what it has done since GM took over. The cars had some unique design characteristics before that, such as a super-tight turning radius (U-turn on a regular street). Today, they are just another "American" type car, which doesn't sell well.

91z4me - 3/7/2010 10:36:57 AM

+1 Boost

To be fair SAAB was never an "American" car, it has always been European. Except for the Japanese SAAB 9-2x and the SAAB9-7x (Chevy Trailblazer based).

mini22 - 3/7/2010 7:51:53 PM

+1 Boost

I could not open the article.However I will say this.The idea of a small Saab is a good one provided it "really is a Saab". The problem when GM owned Saab and Subaru was trying to make an Imprezza into a Saab. GM did a crappy job and people would have had to have had a labotomy to know it was NOT a really a Saab at all. The problem is what is the platform going to be. I would suggest if Saab/Spyker is developing a new 9-3 then the baby Saab and 9-3 should be developed together off the same basic platform(but shortened).At least by sharing development costs tha it could be a more realistic proposition.Above all it must be a Saab,nothing else.Question is can Victor Mueller generate enough capitol for this project?