Chevy and Saab set sales records in Europe
Some of GM's European executives can sleep soundly these first few weeks of August, with Saab hitting record numbers in Europe, Chevrolet being up by 9.5 percent and overall sales in Eastern Europe growing a staggering 75 percent over July of 2005 on the performance of Chevy and Opel in the marketplace.
Opel/Vauxhall is also on track to make improvements the company promised in terms of market mix and quality of sales, according to a press release put out by GM Europe. The H3 is helping HUMMER sales in Europe, with the brand's numbesr having nearly quadrupled versus the first seven months of 2005, going from 269 to 983 units. Of course, that doesn't have quite the same ring to it as "up by 265 percent."
Opel/Vauxhall is still down a bit overall, which is impacting GM's overall market share in Europe. Cadillac is also down, thanks in part to the luke warm reception of the BLS sedan based on the Saab 9-3.
[Source: AutoSpectator]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stoneman 10:41PM (8/09/2006)
I hate the Aveo. There, I said it. I never really liked Daewoo cars. I sure wish we'd get some more European cars in North America. I feel like we're 10 years behind them.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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iQuack 10:51PM (8/09/2006)
Aveo sales make sense because it's cheap to run. Saab's improved sales are a mystery unless they're being heavily discounted.
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JohnA 12:02AM (8/10/2006)
I was out in the wife's Saab 9-3 tonight in a driving rainstorm with brilliant lightning flashes; gutters overflowing, and power outages. Sirens are going everywhere and emergency vehicles of all kinds are busy.
This thing is a rocket ship combined with the feeling of a tank.
Check the safety ratings and the insurance premiums.
My first Saab was a project car, bought back in 80s when Detroit offered nothing interesting at all. Saab attracted me with the thrilling acceleration of the turbo combined with the HUMUNGOUS cargo capacity of the hatch. Having owned a Volvo for 11 years, I was familiar with brick-like solidity, exceptional steel and paint, and the feeling of security and extremely comfortable seats.
Click 'n Clack say on their website that Porsches and Saabs have high-high repeat purchase ratings. Having owned 2, I will buy another.
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UH2L 1:34AM (8/10/2006)
I'm on my 3rd Saab. Nothing beats the combination that Saabs have of efficiency, safety, performance, handling and practicality. A test drive in a 1997 Saab 900 made me an impulse shopper, (something which I'm not), and I found a way to lease one even though it was beyond my means. I don't regret it. I can fit two mountain bikes in the back with ease and after 120,000 miles, I just detailed it and it looks spectacular.
You can see pictures of it on my blog here...
http://uh2l.blogs.com/things_ive_noticed/2006/07/my_1997_saab_90.html
My 2006 9-3 SportCombi is not as unique but it is more efficient, handles better, goes faster, and is safer. There are few other brands I would consider buying besides Saab and with the recent sales increases, it looks like word is spreading.
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TrollhattanSaab 7:53AM (8/10/2006)
IQuack, the articles about European sales, and Saab's been doing well there for a while now. The E85 9-5 is selling plenty. Saab UK had a record year last year and is ahead of that this year. The US market is well and truly behind the curve when it comes to Saab.
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Mattias.se 8:38AM (8/10/2006)
Give us the E85 9-5 here in the US!!! Or at least the diesel.
On SAAB #2, starting to shop for #3. Let's get those US sales figures up too :)
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cxvargas 8:48AM (8/10/2006)
GM seems to be doing well all over the globe but in the US. Hopefully we will see an expanded SAAb line of vehicles in the States. I am particulary interested in the E85 and diesel tech.
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All World Automotive 11:13AM (8/10/2006)
" Give us the E85 9-5 here in the US!!! Or at least the diesel.
On SAAB #2, starting to shop for #3. Let's get those US sales figures up too :)"
I agree completely, why can't they follow what they are doing there and work it out here?
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89 900 T 11:47AM (8/10/2006)
I like the idea of them going back to the wrap around windshield! One of the design elements that made saab a saab.
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iQuack 1:56PM (8/10/2006)
Glad that Saab sales are improving, but it's been a bust for GM and that's too bad.
My brother had 2 Saabs: a '59 and a '64. Both had the 3 cylinder, 2 cycle engine and those cars drove very well.
Saabs of that ear were solid cars and much more interesting than the ubiquitous VW Bug.
But the Saabs rusted away in Cleveland where the streets are salted in the winter. A heavy undercoat of tar or some other goop soon pulled away from the underside of the fenders to form pockets where salt and mud accumulated. After 3 years there was nothing left of those cars.
Turned out that undercoat which was supposed to be protective ended up destroying those excellent cars.
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Grant 10:08AM (11/17/2006)
I am a new Saab owner in the UK and have had my 9-3 Turbo Diesel for 6 months now. I have always loved Saabs and now I have my own reminds me of my childhood and the family Saab 99GL. I remember it clear as day, the effect Saab's have on you! Now there is the GM influence I hope Saab retain their appeal and do not go down a 'mass market' route! As long as the quality of Saab does not suffer under GM then Saab fans remain happy and going by some of the concepts they have planned Saab's future looks rosy as long as GM's future is rosy!! Vauxhall/ Opel's new Corsa supermini is a superb new small car.
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