Saab bites Subaru
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GM is also talking with Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) on how they can expand their relationship, Wagoner said. Fuji will begin manufacturing and selling next spring the Saab 9-2X, a turbo-charged sports sedan based on the Subaru WRX all-wheel drive car. Saab and Subaru are also working together on other projects, Wagoner said.
"Going forward, we believe that the collaboration of FHI and Saab automobile will be the cornerstone of the GM-FHI," Wagoner said. "And beyond that, we're going to continue to explore new cooperation in powertrains, overseas distribution and manufacturing."
Fuji Chief Executive Officer Kyoji Takenaka said that working with Saab will help Subaru's desire to become a premium brand in the market.
"Going forward, we believe that the collaboration of FHI and Saab automobile will be the cornerstone of the GM-FHI," Wagoner said. "And beyond that, we're going to continue to explore new cooperation in powertrains, overseas distribution and manufacturing."
Fuji Chief Executive Officer Kyoji Takenaka said that working with Saab will help Subaru's desire to become a premium brand in the market.
Saab 9-2X to be sold in Subaru stores in Japan
By Dave Guilford
Automotive News / October 20, 2003
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TOKYO -- The Subaru-built Saab 9-2X due to roll off production lines next spring will be sold in Subaru stores in Japan.
The vehicle will mark the beginning of a stronger partnership between the two companies, said Kyoji Takenaka, CEO of Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Takenaka said three Saab-Subaru showrooms are already opened, he said.
Takenaka spoke at a press event before the Tokyo Motor Show. He said the Saab-Subaru relationship will be "a cornerstone" of General Motors' alliance strategy with three Japanese automakers. GM owns stakes in Fuji, Suzuki Motor Corp. and Isuzu Motors Ltd.
By Dave Guilford
Automotive News / October 20, 2003
Advertisement
TOKYO -- The Subaru-built Saab 9-2X due to roll off production lines next spring will be sold in Subaru stores in Japan.
The vehicle will mark the beginning of a stronger partnership between the two companies, said Kyoji Takenaka, CEO of Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Takenaka said three Saab-Subaru showrooms are already opened, he said.
Takenaka spoke at a press event before the Tokyo Motor Show. He said the Saab-Subaru relationship will be "a cornerstone" of General Motors' alliance strategy with three Japanese automakers. GM owns stakes in Fuji, Suzuki Motor Corp. and Isuzu Motors Ltd.
The cornerstone of the FHI-GM partnership is between FHI and GMfs Saab unit. FHI has opened three new Saab showrooms. The two companies have joined hands in the development of the Saab 9-2X, and are further collaborating on future designs, powertrains and all-wheel drive technologies. During todayfs press conference, Wagoner and FHI President and CEO, Kyoji Takenaka, joined with Peter Augustsson, Chairman and CEO of Saab Automobile and Vice President of GM Europe, in unveiling the first photo of the Saab 9-2X.
@ @ @gNeither Fuji nor Saab is a big company so with our limited resources, we must continue to focus on and study projects that we cannot bring to market independently,h said Takenaka. gThis is how our collaboration brings success and value to both companies.h
@ @ @gNeither Fuji nor Saab is a big company so with our limited resources, we must continue to focus on and study projects that we cannot bring to market independently,h said Takenaka. gThis is how our collaboration brings success and value to both companies.h
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"Subaru is not a mass-manufacturing brand but a premium and niche brand and, being that way, we can survive in a tough auto market," said Takanaka, a surprise appointment who leapfrogged over 25 more senior executives to get the top job.
But a company as small as FHI in global automotive industry terms must have a powerful technology partner, he continued. "One of the biggest reasons to form an alliance with GM was to exchange future technology. We are also doing a study on fuel cells... I hope we can contribute to GM by offering our expertise such as all-wheel drive technology."
Ruling out any additional equity investment on the part of GM, Takenaka said, "I believe the stake that GM has in Fuji Heavy is at an appropriate level. Our relationship with GM is a win-win relationship."
But a company as small as FHI in global automotive industry terms must have a powerful technology partner, he continued. "One of the biggest reasons to form an alliance with GM was to exchange future technology. We are also doing a study on fuel cells... I hope we can contribute to GM by offering our expertise such as all-wheel drive technology."
Ruling out any additional equity investment on the part of GM, Takenaka said, "I believe the stake that GM has in Fuji Heavy is at an appropriate level. Our relationship with GM is a win-win relationship."
GM's global footprint
Equity alliances:
Fiat Auto SpA: GM owns 20%
Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru): GM owns 20%
Isuzu Motors Ltd.: GM owns 49%
Suzuki Motor Corp.: GM owns 20%
Wholly owned subsidiaries:
GM do Brasil Ltda.
GM of Canada
Holden Australia
General Motors de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
Adam Opel AG
Saab
Vauxhall Motors Ltd.
Equity alliances:
Fiat Auto SpA: GM owns 20%
Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru): GM owns 20%
Isuzu Motors Ltd.: GM owns 49%
Suzuki Motor Corp.: GM owns 20%
Wholly owned subsidiaries:
GM do Brasil Ltda.
GM of Canada
Holden Australia
General Motors de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
Adam Opel AG
Saab
Vauxhall Motors Ltd.
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Originally posted by 02BlackWRX
its got the same drivetrain as the WRX and looks way better, what more can u ask for?
its got the same drivetrain as the WRX and looks way better, what more can u ask for?
if it's the "originality" factor that everyone is upset about, all good ideas are copied and refined.
PROGRESS is a beautiful thing.
db
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Car Info: 02 WRX wagon=dead; rollin' in a Craptastic Camry!
I'm anxious to see where they price the Saabaru. It is a nicer looking car than my WRX wagon, imo. I owned a 79 Saab 900 turbo and it was a wonderful car to drive. It had some reliablity and "character" issues, but that stupid car still has a place in my heart.
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Originally posted by 02BlackWRX
its got the same drivetrain as the WRX and looks way better, what more can u ask for?
its got the same drivetrain as the WRX and looks way better, what more can u ask for?
TRAITOR!!! if you like it so much why dont you sell your 'ru, and buy a SNOB!?!?!?
So with everyones knowledge on the partnership between GM, SAAB, AND SUBARU.....if this car is built on a WRX platform....then it BETTER NOT COST 35-40K! IF it does....then I say
, I never really have liked SAAB, I dont care if they are partners....each company has its own designers...(thats why the cars dont look alike.) I will admit, that the SAAB's have been looking much better lately....and the one pictured above is by far the best looking one I have seen....but its still a SAAB....and if SAAB's are so great, how come then dont really have any race titles (that I know of).....ok, so they bite off of Subaru, who is race PROVEN, many years over.....and make a car essentially the same as the suby.....that reminds me of the whole "Jurassic Park" thing....."you see what scientists before you have done, and you take the next step....you dont earn the knowledge yourself......" And look where that got them! I dunno....maybe its just me....I am not a SAAB person...never have been, never will be. When I hear the name SAAB....the first thing I think of is "SNOB" and "FUGLY" and definitly NOT performance (although it may be a competitor to the WRX in reality....I just dont see "performance" in the name SAAB.)
my 2¢
-Ted
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Originally posted by GotBoost?
TRAITOR!!! if you like it so much why dont you sell your 'ru, and buy a SNOB!?!?!?
So with everyones knowledge on the partnership between GM, SAAB, AND SUBARU.....if this car is built on a WRX platform....then it BETTER NOT COST 35-40K! IF it does....then I say, I never really have liked SAAB, I dont care if they are partners....each company has its own designers...(thats why the cars dont look alike.) I will admit, that the SAAB's have been looking much better lately....and the one pictured above is by far the best looking one I have seen....but its still a SAAB....and if SAAB's are so great, how come then dont really have any race titles (that I know of).....ok, so they bite off of Subaru, who is race PROVEN, many years over.....and make a car essentially the same as the suby.....that reminds me of the whole "Jurassic Park" thing....."you see what scientists before you have done, and you take the next step....you dont earn the knowledge yourself......" And look where that got them!
I dunno....maybe its just me....I am not a SAAB person...never have been, never will be. When I hear the name SAAB....the first thing I think of is "SNOB" and "FUGLY" and definitly NOT performance (although it may be a competitor to the WRX in reality....I just dont see "performance" in the name SAAB.)
my 2¢
-Ted
TRAITOR!!! if you like it so much why dont you sell your 'ru, and buy a SNOB!?!?!?
So with everyones knowledge on the partnership between GM, SAAB, AND SUBARU.....if this car is built on a WRX platform....then it BETTER NOT COST 35-40K! IF it does....then I say
, I never really have liked SAAB, I dont care if they are partners....each company has its own designers...(thats why the cars dont look alike.) I will admit, that the SAAB's have been looking much better lately....and the one pictured above is by far the best looking one I have seen....but its still a SAAB....and if SAAB's are so great, how come then dont really have any race titles (that I know of).....ok, so they bite off of Subaru, who is race PROVEN, many years over.....and make a car essentially the same as the suby.....that reminds me of the whole "Jurassic Park" thing....."you see what scientists before you have done, and you take the next step....you dont earn the knowledge yourself......" And look where that got them! I dunno....maybe its just me....I am not a SAAB person...never have been, never will be. When I hear the name SAAB....the first thing I think of is "SNOB" and "FUGLY" and definitly NOT performance (although it may be a competitor to the WRX in reality....I just dont see "performance" in the name SAAB.)
my 2¢
-Ted
as for buying one?...no thanks, I am not buying another car till I can afford a used E39 M5
-Zoeb
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Originally posted by ldivinag
everybody owns something of someone.
look at ONSTAR on the top of the line subies.
as for hood scoops on toyotas, as a long time toyota truck owner, they blow... F the non functional hoodscoops on the RAVs and the 4runners...
everybody owns something of someone.
look at ONSTAR on the top of the line subies.
as for hood scoops on toyotas, as a long time toyota truck owner, they blow... F the non functional hoodscoops on the RAVs and the 4runners...
And I think that I can say that Saabs and Subarus are both ugly/beautiful in their own way :banana:
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I think the Saab design is very handsome. I think it's an age/demographic thing.
The young kids are going to like the Subies and the more entrenched in life folk will look with an appreciative eye towards the Saab.
Then again it might just be a taste issue - and there's no accounting for that.
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The young kids are going to like the Subies and the more entrenched in life folk will look with an appreciative eye towards the Saab.
Then again it might just be a taste issue - and there's no accounting for that.
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Originally posted by 02BlackWRX
Can u honestly look at the saab and then the subaru and say the subaru looks better? imho it doesnt, but thats just me...
as for buying one?...no thanks, I am not buying another car till I can afford a used E39 M5
-Zoeb
Can u honestly look at the saab and then the subaru and say the subaru looks better? imho it doesnt, but thats just me...
as for buying one?...no thanks, I am not buying another car till I can afford a used E39 M5
-Zoeb
As for the non-functional hood scoops.....well, IMO again, if it doesnt WORK, then WHY HAVE IT.... I think they all could do without them..... I (personally) am more concerned with FUNCTIONALITY than LOOKS....if it doesnt work, then you dont need it, period. Perfect example.....My "IC fans," it was an EXPERIMENT, so I put them on....have been driving around for awhile with them, Have found that they DONT WORK....so I will be removing them....its as simple as that, but atleast I did the experiment to prove that theory, I DIDN'T just put them on because they looked cool.
Same for the Body Kit I wanna put on my car....I want a body kit, because when I was up around 135MPH driving down to Vegas....I could feel a cushion of air under the car starting to lift it off the road ever so slightly....a body kit would have prevented that. I dont drive that fast in or around any other cars, but when I do (on a secluded stretch of road), I want to be sure my car will not become a plane. Functional AND Looks cool...."form follows function." If I NEVER EVER drove faster than , oh say 80MPH, I would not bother with the body kit, but thats just me. Then again, maybe I just like to debate stuff <shrug>.
Damn, ok, I have written a book over here, so I am gonna go home now, gotta get ready for UCKK....
:banana: See ya'll there
-Ted
p.s. someone needs to make the "time out" time longer on this website....whenever I write a long post and go to actually post it...I have to re-login....
Last edited by GotBoost?; Nov 25, 2003 at 05:18 PM.
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"but looks are only skin deep"....Which pretty much covers that subject....
Where's the beef?
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