GM Needs to Ask, Who in North America Would Buy a Saab Trailblazer?
The assimilation process has begun. Quirky Swedish automaker Saab, 50% owned by General Motors, will now lose its legendary identity in the name of sustainability.
GM vice chairman Bob Lutz stated, "We could keep on treating Saab like a protected species that builds very cute and very Swedish cars, but, unfortunately they don't build enough of them." He continued, "In the short term, it makes a lot more sense to assist Saab in putting out two or three new models."
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| The first badge engineered car in Saab's legendary history will be the 9-2, which will be based on the Subaru Impreza Wagon. (Photo: General Motors) |
The first car to get the badge engineering treatment, the Saab 9-2, will be a reworked Subaru Impreza wagon, built by Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) in Japan. FHI will be responsible for manufacturing the new Swabian, but details of its sheetmetal differentiation or specific mechanicals aren't yet known.
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| The news of the 227-hp Impreza WRX sharing its engine with the Saab 9-2 Aero has enthusiasts loyal to either company in a flurry. (Photo: General Motors) |
It is expected, for cost savings, Subaru's well respected horizontally opposed 4-cylinder power unit will be part of the package, with the Impreza WRX's 227-hp turbocharged version reserved for the 9-2 Aero designation. This will be the first time an H-4 configured engine will be used in a Saab product.
While Subaru fans might get in a flurry at their pride and joy sharing its very soul, this news will be taken even more harshly by Saab purists. Yet the reality is there aren't many of them left to cause much of a stir - hence the problem.