Saab to end 9-7X production

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

photo courtesy of motor authority.com

Saab will cease production of its 9-7X next year with just three years of sales under its belt because of the model’s lackluster sales performance. The 9-7X shares its underpinnings with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and is currently manufactured at a GM plant in Moraine, Ohio. The TrailBlazer is also being cut from GM’s lineup, and is expected to be replaced with a brand new crossover model based on the existing Saturn Outlook.

Meanwhile, the 9-7X will be replaced in Saab’s lineup with the upcoming 9-4X in 2009, which will be based on GM’s global Theta architecture.

An insider, who spoke with AutoTelegraaf, revealed that Saab was pleased with the 9-7X’s performance in North America but wass disappointed that no diesel version was ever developed for European markets. In fact, the SUV is only sold in Europe through third-party importers but with the approval of Saab, as the vehicle was never originally planned to be sold outside North America.

Source:

http://thecarblogger.blogspot.com/2007/06/...production.html

Edited June 21, 2007 by Flybrian

[daves87rs]

NO suprise there.

I think I've seen like, two in the last 6 months....

Not bad looking though.

[Intrepidation]

With the exception of the ugly steering wheel it was a sharp looking SUV in and out. It was also the only one besides the TrailBlazer SS that had decent handling.

[the_yellow_dart]

It was a nice design, but so was the Envoy and TB. So, there really wasn't much point for this in the first place.

[sciguy_0504]

Best design on the platform, IMO.

[gm4life]

It was very sharp looking. So no 9-7X next year... That is sad. But I knew it had to come!

[RJB]

Another rebadge folly from GM, I'm glad its gone and probably the diehard Saab fans are finally breathing a sigh of relief too. GM is getting smart and dumping the excess baggage and none too soon.

[I hope GMRULES again]

This was just another dumb marketing move that should never have been produced in the first place.

[daves87rs]

On the other hand-it should offer some good rebates!

For those who wanted something diffferent..

[ToniCipriani]

Much like what Cadillac done for the Cimarron, Saab should hang a picture of the 9-7x in their offices with the words: Lest we Forget.

[dimitri0917]

Mistakes aside, Saab needed something to compete with the sucessful Volvo XC90. This was a competent product, but in its lifespan, I only saw one commercial for it. GM really needs to support all of its proucts equally. This thing failed because of GM.

Also, GMT360 was a travesty as far as rebadges. Chevy, Saab, GMC, Olds, Buick, and even Isuzu got a bit of that lovin'. How is one to even decide between the Olds, Buick, and Saab? Or the Isuzu, Chevy, and GMC? Thats what killed this product.

GM should limit itself to 3 cars per platform if they are going to look so similar.

[Hollingsworth]

Thank God!

Yes, Saab needed an SUV. But I would have rather had no SUV than a rebadged Trailblazer.

Edited June 21, 2007 by Hollingsworth

[Flybrian]

I still think the Bravada looked better...

[daves87rs]

I still think the Bravada looked better...

Eh, it's a toss up for me...

[AxelTheRed]

Lah-dee-dah...I sure as hell won't miss it. It was just another boring-ass model from Saab, not a big loss.

Saab is probably always going to keep me unimpressed...although the Aero-X was a welcome breath of fresh air, its just a shame that GM still doesn't have the balls to do something so mold-breaking.

Edited June 22, 2007 by AxelTheRed

[balthazar]

97x failed not because of GM, but because the saab demographic just does not have the demand to support a big saab SUV. Secondly, I sat in one yesterday and the interior is not in anyway great. Loose pleather/leather, archaic oversized vents, lackluster intrumentation, cheesy key on the console. Never should've bothered.