On BBC-tv today (1mar2005) was an interview with GM's Euroboss: the usual smooth creep spouting bureau-speak. The interview got off to hot racing start when the BBC man challenged him about GM rebranding some Daewoo wagon as a Cadillac: the message was that label and marketing are what matter. Asked about GM's attitude to Saab, he spoke of Saab as just a brand, not a unique package of engineering. It was a case of noting what he did and didn't say. Maybe the interview is available on the BBC website?
Interview with GM European boss on BBC-tv
Mar 02, 2005
9 Replies
Saw the "Chevrolet" advert on TV last night. No way they can pull that off surely.
bad enough having a vectra badged as a Saab, but a Daewoo Matiz badged as a Chevrolet. That is just silly.
Sorry, not Cadillac. Chevy, was it?
Yep, saw the TV ad on telly last night, and
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has the whole sorry story.
I went looking and found this spin-off:
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Basically, it's GM talking about its plans for Europe. Much of the sinister Saab-related material (and blatant GM foolishness) from the TV interview has been omitted.
He did mention Saab as a premium or luxury brand and that Saab and Cadillac had separate customer bases; so these brands would not be merged. Didn't he also mention a supercharged? 2.8 engine for Saab?
I don't recall, sorry. My enthusiasm for his opinions had gone through the floor and any such points would have gone unheeded. IOW, to me he was just a pompous, babbling idiot. *shrug*
I only heard the last half of the interview where he mentioned the role of Saab in his empire. It was obvious to me that marketing was his main concern and that we can expect more parts & name sharing as long as the badge is right. Hence this Chevy nonsense. What we didn't hear about was GM's involvement with various car makes in Russia, here the opportunities are endless for badge engineering.
Didn't GM have something to do with a Lada Niva 4x4 jeep concept a couple of years back.
It wasn't like the old Niva (a serious but small off roader with basic interior low power but loads of torque engine), but a full on glammed up Chelsea tractor.
Yes, found this link for the (GM-AUTOVAZ) Chevrolet Niva
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