Two Video Podcasts from Geneva

In the first video, Jan-Åke Jonsson, managing director of Saab Auto, presents the Saab Aero X. In the second, Kurt Beyer discusses the Opel GT, of which he was chief designer

Let me get this straight: There is a chief designer of the Opel GT? And the Opel GT is just a Solstice with new front/rear/interior, which is just a Saturn sky. So you're paying a designer's wage for every simple variant to your globally-bloated portfolio of mediocre models? That's global efficiency? Hah! All you overpaid, underskilled "execs" need to be outsourced to Mexico.

So how is the Opel GT not badge engineering?

As a Linux PC user, I can't really appreciate you posting video formats that have no sound for me on playback. Do you have to use the latest and greatest proprietary Microsoft format instead of an open, standard, cross-platform format like MPEG?

A classic corporate faux pas, heck I'm running windows and even I'm having trouble opening it. Windows Media Player 9 does not recognize, iTunes seems to work best for me.

Hmm, I'd like to be optimistic about Saab, but I still remember the exciting 9X concepts from the auto show a few years back - what did we get in reality? A rebadged Subaru.

The flip top - obviously no practical applications - not to mention its incredibly slow even on a concept. The slide out trunk is a good, if not exactly original idea, that I predict is probably the only application we ever see in production. Could be a good solution to design problems on space starved sports car designs in the future.

I think we got another one.

I know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.

What seperates the Solstice from the Opel GT may cost more but the difference in design is striking and yes, priceless.

I know in America we live in a throw away society. If it isn't productive or profitable, throw it out.

It's the same mentality that destroyed Penn Station in NYC. What was probably the most beautiful public transit train station that ever existed succumbed to the wrecking ball, marble staues and all. Replaced by a disgusting box.

That is the same mentality that many have when it comes to Buick. "Oh it's not performing get rid of it; Saab too." Yet they ignore its priceless heritage. Buick was the #1 car company in America in the 20's and with the profits of Buick Durant brought other companies and formed General Motors.

Living in the past? No. But you will not know where you are going unless you know where you came from.

Porsche, a company that never lost its heritage, it has enouph capital to buy the larger Volkswagen and all of its Audi, Bentley etc operations.

Do you think if Buick was making cars anything like it was making from its past that captures its heritage, that it would have any problem buying all of General Motors again today? No problem at all. We know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.

"A Buick dealer selling Buicks profitably and successfully ever since the 30's? So what we don't need you anymore."

Here is the bottom line. If you know your heritage, value and worth, customers are going to begin to know it too. If you think your brands are cheap and worth nothing, and they do not deserve an individual designer you cheapen the brand and you will not be able to give the car away.

In short. A car's value is only the sum of its parts, metal and scrap. That is until you add the brand value.

That is why the brand has to be sacred.

They are not just designing a car, they are maintaining a heritage, something we Americans seem to know nothing about.

I agree with anonymous-MPEG is the only cross platform format thats friendly to all OS's, including MacOSX.

The Malibu had better get an upgraded interior next year. If not, it will prove to all of us that GM does not care about being the best. We already sense this from you but if you cannot improve the obvious shortfalls of your current models every year than you don't deserve to be in business. Read the car mags-they offer you free advice.

Power Window switches should be on the door, not the console.
Tilt and telescope steering wheels should be standard on EVERY vehicle, including the Cobalt, HHR, etc.

Signal stalks and HVAC controls should be smooth as silk, just like the asians.

Most of your engines need further refinements to be considered among the best.

The base engine of the Malibu and HHR is too wimpy for the weight of these cars.

Take those idiotic GM badges off the sides of your cars-what a dumb idea.

Bring over the Captiva and replace the Equinox with it. And do not use a Chinese sourced ancient pushrod!

Stop calling your Pontiacs G6, G5, etc. Its ludicrous for a brand with so many cool names to do this- LeMans, Tempest, Grand Am, etc.
Memo to Bob-Pontiac is not and cannot be the American version of BMW-thats just crazy talk. Cadillac is America's version of BMW. Pontiac is supposed to be American and sporty and affordable. And please don't call the new Buick a Statesman! What a horrible name-how about Electra or Park Avenue?

You take way too long to improve your vehicles and even popular cars then fall off sales. Your Caddy CTS and SRX should have been redesigned last year.

The HHR needs a padded armrest (on the door) and more power. And a tilt and telescope steering wheel as I mentioned before.

The Cobalt needs a redesigned center armrest, so the parking brake can be easily accessed. It also needs more elbow room by the door, and smoother operating controls. My fear is that you will leave it as is for years and it will fall further behind. And what is with the diagonal cut along the rear 3/4 panel? It looks horrible. Really kills the look of the car.

The VUE needs the power window switches on the door-what were you thinking?

The Parking Brake belongs on the console in the Malibu, not on the floor. Look at the Accord and use it as a benchmark. You know, your competition?

Change whatever supplier supplies your plastics in the interior so we never have to read about it in car mags again.

OnStar is a cool feature-make it standard on all your vehicles and all versions, even base.

Your car interiors smell awful-please do something about whatever nasty chemical you put on your car seats for stain protection-its nasty. And the carpeting should be a dark color no matter what the color of the interior.

Speaking of colors, your interior colors are too light and drab. The Impala's grey interior looks almost white. Please use richer looking colors like your competition.

Use more comfortable seats in all your vehicles. Some are way too hard and the headrests poke too forward.

Side airbags and stability control and 4 Wheel Disc brakes with ABS should be standard across the board just like the asians. You MUST match them feature for feature.

Lastly-INCREASE YOUR WARRANTIES!!

Bob, that Saab concept is FANTASTIC. I don't know what kind of business case it would make, but Saab should really produce that as a Halo vehicle to show the direction they're going in. And that their serious.

That guy in the Opel video was awesome.

Has Kurt Beyer taken any of the comments regarding lack of storage in the boot, or bloated, overweight, underpowered, or similar observations on the Solstice and Sky and actually made improvements? I seriously doubt it. What Kurt has simply done is to put lipstick on a pig. Looks great, but it's still a pig.

I love the concept and physical execution of this car: bio-power saab AERO X. I mean it's environmentally responsible AND looks totally hot. When can we get it?

Renault, please buy SAAB and work with SAAB to make it what it could and should be! Please...