No one seems to get it. GM has been forced to close Saab's doors. All the press reports on the demise cite that its current aging line up has been "surpassed by the competition". Surpassed in what way? Hardly anyone was even daring to compete with them in the first place? You can't lose a contest if the competition doesn't show up.
Maybe if you're comparing 4 door mid-size sedans with automatic transmissions. How many such vehicles are on the market currently? Has it reached a dozen dozen yet, still led as usual in value by the ugly but super-competent Accord? Sure, the 9-3 and 9-5 were offered in those forms. But, why would we even need to care?
No, what is really at stake here is versatility, which has been on life support in the North American automotive industry for quite some time, and the official death of Saab is only the latest blow in its long, drawn-out death. Surely, I must be missing something. With so many options today, it must be possible to get a 5-door model that is roomy, economical 30mpg highway, sporty, safe, has good performance/handling and is available with a manual transmission. Well, it is -- if the Saab 9-5 wagon is going off the market, then we can still choose between a VW Passat wagon or a ... a VW Passat wagon. Wait a second -- ONE option? Why should the market for versatility have all but died? Versatility makes
sense, people. It means you get a better car that meets more of your needs without making sacrafices.
The mass market has whole-heartedly rejected this notion, however. Apparently, a car with 5 doors in the U.S. is fine, if (check one or more of the following):
1) It's too small for 5 people to be comfortable on a long drive
2) It's underpowered or available only with an automatic
3) It doesn't get more than 25mpg on the highway
4) It has no trunk space
5) It's hideously ugly
6) It's an SUV, in which case you can often check 2, 3, and 5, and add poor handling
Check one or more of the following, and it seems you're 5-door is good to go in the North American market. But, check only one of the above and it will probably be only for one model cycle, as Mazda has proven with its brilliant previous generation 6 hatch and wagon (yes, both!), or as Chevrolet proved with it's solid but grotesquely ugly Malibu Maxx (although, worth noting that that one wasn't offered with a 5 speed either), or other makes have proven over the years like Saturn, Alpha Romeo, Volvo, etc. And, chances are, the styling of new models like the Honda Crosstour, or the Toyota Venza will guarantee only a limited market for them as well. VW is now the lone hold out. But, for how much longer?
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cold as in literally cold!