Day: January 15, 2013

Saab’s Gordian Knot

At some risk of getting my head chopped off (again)…..

I’m still reading conversations between Saab fans occasionally that make me scratch my head a little. People seem quite adept at either changing history or altering the basics of economics with the belief that if they talk about it enough, their suggestions might become truth.

The legend of the Gordian knot (the simple version) saw a cart dedicated to Zeus and tied to a temple using a highly intricate knot. It was said that whoever could untie the knot would rule over all of Asia. When Alexander the Great arrived in Gordion, he got a bit tired of trying so he took out his sword and just cut the darn thing off.

NEVS face an uphill battle with Saab. A massive uphill battle. No matter which string they might pull first there seems to be an opposing force on the other end making their job far from straightforward.

Their recent announcement about building production facilities in China is the first real sign I’ve seen that plans might just be in place to make it work.

(The other recent announcement, to do with the corporate badge is nice, but means diddlysquat in the overall scheme of things.)

Production in China is the only realistic option for a company that bases its business plan on Chinese sales. No long-term Saab fan wants to see production based anywhere but Trollhattan, but the economic reality of a Chinese-focused firm is that they will have to build in China, either as their production base, or with Trollhattan continuing as a complement.

There are so many other problems to solve, however. People like to think they have solved them in theory, but the reality is that Saab’s problems aren’t solved in people’s minds. They remain very real right up to the point where very real solutions are found.

So just in case people are forgetting these Gordian contradictions in their musings, here’s a look at the puzzle that Saab has to solve.

Continue reading Saab’s Gordian Knot

Detroit – Hyundai HCD-14 reminds us all of …….. nothing good to do with Hyundai

I have to say, Detroit 2013 is emerging as the most interesting Detroit show in years. It’s been a yawnfest since around 2008, mostly because America’s domestic car companies were up the creek with nary a paddle in sight. This year, there’s been interesting stuff with every third or fourth NAIAS post I read on the internet, which is a reasonable ratio.

Hyundai have just launched a concept that will form the basis of their design language for the next few months model years. It’s called the HCD-14 and it’s the bedrock upon which future Hyundai premium vehicles will be styled.

Hyundai HCD-14 at the Detroit Auto Show 2013

—

The press release features the usual PR guff, including a reference to liquid metal styling that’s kind-of believable from this 45 degree frontal shot, but if you see this vehicle side-on it looks more like Han-Solo-carbonite than the T-1000 from Terminator II.

What caught my eye, however, is the badge on the front. I’ve always thought that Hyundai’s standard leaning-H-in-a-circle looked quite poverty stricken so this was a pleasant upgrade at first glance. At second glance, it seemed like another typical Hyundai styling stunt – it’s very reminiscent of the Bentley flying-B from a distance, don’t you think?

Of course, Hyundai have skipped across the pond of automotive progress using a bunch of styling and design cues from different brands as lilypads along the way. Their stock in trade from the early 1990s right up until today has been to take identifiable styling cues from solid, established companies and reference them with as much subtlety as a sledgehammer.

Does this look like a pair of Mercedes to you? Maybe one model generation after the other?

It’s interesting to see that Hyundai’s willingness to copy cues from others continues and has extended right down to the smaller details. Take a closer look at the badge on this HCD-14 concept and Bentley isn’t the only company it might remind you of.

Aston Martin, anyone?

Want more? Here’s that first image of the HCD-14 once again. Remove the Bentley/Aston badge and put a four ringed badge in it’s place.

Am I convincing you yet?

Hyundai HCD-14 at the Detroit Auto Show 2013
—

This leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Hyundai have done a remarkable job in the last decade. They’ve transformed themselves from being makers of cheap cars into being makers of genuine value propositions with a reputation for reasonable comfort and quality. In essence, they’ve become the new Toyota (albeit without replacing the actual Toyota).

The 2+1 door Veloster Turbo was one of the most interesting cars of 2012 for me. It’s the first time a car with a Hyundai badge has crossed my radar in a totally positive way.

I don’t want to put too fine a point on it, but the HCD-14 is a stark reminder that Hyundai still don’t have an identity of their own – something they genuinely need if they’re to take the next step and perhaps stay ahead of the Chinese companies that will be the new Hyundai in around half the time it took for Hyundai to become the new Toyota.

Exit mobile version