The North American press has been kinder, at least slightly, realizing the importance of a Saab SUV but concerned the donor platform won't be up to premium levels of quality or capable of delivering the driving dynamics inherent in the Saab brand. Saab officials, of course, are either putting a brave face forward under the strong-arm rule of GM or truly buying into the radical and potentially risky plan.
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| The 9-7X will only be sold in North American markets, a fact that has the European press questioning Saab's long-term vision. (Photo: General Motors) |
"We are pleased to continue to expand our product line in the very important North American market," commented Peter Augustsson, President and CEO of Saab Automobile AB. "With the Saab 9-X and 9-3X concept vehicles, followed by the award-winning Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and Convertible, the 9-3 Sport-Hatch concept and the dynamic new 9-2X, we are exceeding our commitment to introduce one new vehicle or concept each year for five years."
While that's not quite at BMW or Infiniti's pace, as previously stated these will nevertheless be record numbers of new model introductions for the Swedish brand.
But is the 9-7X what Saab needs? Will customers flock into showrooms with its arrival, as purveyors of the automaker hope? Automotive market analysts are skeptical, although Saab itself is happy with the news that will if anything else, placate its dealer body for the short term.
"The Saab 9-7X is the perfect addition to our model mix," stated Debra Kelly-Ennis, President and COO of Saab Cars USA. "It allows us to join the growing mid-luxury SUV market, one of the fastest growing segments, with a dynamic, premium vehicle."
At the very least, the artist's rendering of the 9-7X that accompanies this article shows that Saab is attempting to show more separation in exterior styling to its donor vehicles than the brand did with the 9-2X, which looks near identical to the Subaru Impreza from the front doors rearward. Hopefully this trend will continue on to the inside, with quality as good as the impressive 9-3 sedan. Saab loyalists, however, might only accept it as the real deal if GM can get the ignition switch placed on the lower center console.