Comments on: Opinion: Why we shouldn’t call the next Saab the “9-3″

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:21:00 +0000

For most potential Saab buyers who are not among the cognoscenti posting here, I suspect that the perception of the “9-3″ name is associated with the decline of true “Saab-ness” under GM (for example, Edmund’s capsule summary of the 2011 9-5 starts, “After years of stagnation, Saab is reinvented…”) So, while respecting the thoughtful and creative comments here, I agree with Swade that perhaps a new name is needed — not only to try and grab the cachet of the “900″ name, but also to just have something different that is free of the current negative association in buyers’ minds. But, as Swade also says, if, and only IF, the car is right.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:20:00 +0000

The 900 could work well with the general audience, who probably connect “900″ more than anything to the brand name Saab. One more thing, “900″ slides easier off the tongue than “nine-three”, “nine-five” etc. Exception maybe french and the other latin based languages…
For the other models, well Porsche is using names so why not Saab?

By: Bart Champagne

Bart Champagne — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:49:00 +0000

Reading up on the new article by Swade I might feel OK if there’s a “new” name for a Special Edition version of the 9-3 successor. Something like the 9-3 AeroX Black Edition with the original turbo gauge of the old 900 a few years back. Nostalgia !
I’d stick with 9-3 for the moment, at least until Saab re-earns its credit and is solid in the market again, but I’d have no objection if a Special Edition Saab 900X or AeroX was to be built.
OK for a Limited Edition as a link between “then” and “now”, but not for the main model.

By: Mike900

Mike900 — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 02:44:00 +0000

Lots of good points in there… to be honest I don’t mind either 900 or 9-3 for the new gen car.

However, I feel like the new generation has ALREEADY begun with the launch of the new 9-5, and switching to “900″ for the new smaller car seems a bit like changing / abandoning the naming principles half way through the re-launch of Saab.

Could we have BOTH perhaps?

9-3 for the new sedan and sportcombi… Saab’s new 4 door platform.

900 for the new hatch, convertible or coupe versions…. Saab’s new 2 door platform.

That makes a lot of sense to me, as I’ve always thought of the 900 as a hatch anyway

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 02:07:00 +0000

I’d stay with 9-3 but add a name (with more punch that the old Linear, Arc!). that indicates a new generation. It could be 9-3 Phoenix (+ Vector, Aero, or whatever). Then people can call it the 9-3 or the Phoenix and in a few years see what sticks. It really is important to situate it in the range. We need to remember that when the original 900 appeared there was no “range.”

I think Peugeot has a trademark on three digits with a zero in the middle (except zero at the end because Chrysler, Fiat, Saab, and others have used those)

Bruce

By: Dan DeVlieger

Dan DeVlieger — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 01:27:00 +0000

I love it Swade! Just include that amazing exhaust sound when the name changes back too. The 900 Turbo – Go Saab!

By: MarkC

MarkC — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:14:00 +0000

Using Phoenix is awkward as the modular Phoenix platform will eventually be used for most of Saabs new cars. Not to mention most Americans will think of Arizona! I guess we could have a P900, P9000 etc.. The actual Phoenix name could be used on the 9-4X replacement when it becomes Phoenix based, but what would you call the bigger SUV that the Chinese want Saab to build? That would likely use the Phoenix platform too.

By: MarkC

MarkC — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:58:00 +0000

Concerning the 9-5, I’m guessing that sometime after the 9-3 replacement’s debut, the 9-5 will receive a substantial mid-life face lift that will try to bring it closer to the new car and at the same time, try to distance it further from it’s GM heritage. That would be the time to rename it. Who knows, if the new Saab’s hatch is really successful, perhaps they’ll add a hatch to the 9-5 range. Supposedly there was a hatch concept car made.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:46:00 +0000

on the other hand those who bought a 900 cab or a 9000 turbo in the 2000th century might be very nostalgic like me

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:29:00 +0000

Dear Swade. I thought this was a non discussion now with all the voting about the subject here and there when the result always came out favorable for the current naming model that is more practical and consistent than having a 99 model and a 9000 model no matter how cool that would be.