Readers: We Want Our Swedish Cars Back!

In a recent survey conducted by the Swedish automotive magazine MestMotor (Auto, Motor und Sport), readers were asked which car brand they would like to see revived. Nearly half of the respondents voted for Saab, a brand dearly missed by many Swedes. However, the survey also asked readers another intriguing question: “Which car brands should be forgotten (brands that do not deserve to exist)?”

The responses to this question were equally fascinating, with Saab ranking first on the list. Based on the readers answers from MestMotor, let’s explore the desired and undesired car brands according to the readers’ opinions.

Reviving Saab!

The opinions regarding the desired car brand to be revived were diverse, but there was a clear winner: Saab. Almost half of all responses advocated for bringing Saab back to life. The readers expressed their eagerness for the return of Saab, with some humorously asking when the fundraising campaign for its revival would start.

Additionally, there were other brands readers wished to see revived, including a strong desire for Volvo to “be Swedish again.” Some readers specifically mentioned their longing for the reintroduction of the beloved XC70 model, considering it the best practical car compared to the current V90 CC model.

Interestingly, one reader fondly recalled the old mail carrier car, Tjorven, which was based on the DAF 44 and manufactured by Kalmar Verkstad AB from 1968 to 1971. The reader expressed a desire for its revival. Another intriguing mention was Trabant, the East German answer to Volkswagen’s “people’s car.” Some readers believed that with modern technology, Trabant could potentially become an excellent car, even suggesting the possibility of electric propulsion.

Putting Tesla to Rest

When it came to the brands readers wanted to see retired, opinions were less unanimous. At the top of the list, we find Tesla and all (!) “Chinese cars” being mentioned. Surprisingly, “French cars” also appeared on the list, despite Simca ranking on a shared second place among the brands readers wanted to revive.

One reader made a sweeping statement, expressing the desire to send all things French to the scrapyard. Interestingly, both Volvo and Saab ended up sharing the third spot on this list, showing that readers have mixed feelings. Some believed that all fossil fuel-powered cars should be scrapped, while others thought that electric cars should be laid to rest.

Desired Car Brands for Revival

1. Saab – 44%
2. Volvo* – 5.9%
3. Simca – 4.2%
4. Pontiac – 3.4%
5. Trabant – 2.5%

Undesired Car Brands to Forget

1. Tesla – 12.5%
2. “Chinese cars” – 12.5%
3. Volvo – 7.5%
4. Saab – 7.5%
5. Opel – 7.5%
6. General Motors – 7.5%
7. “French cars” – 7.5%
8. Mitsubishi – 5%

Nostalgia for the iconic Saab brand

The readers of “Auto, Motor und Sport” magazine have expressed their nostalgia for the iconic Saab brand, desiring its revival with enthusiasm. The desire to see Volvo “return to its Swedish roots” and the longing for other models like XC70 also came through strongly. Interestingly, Tjorven and Trabant, representative of different automotive eras, found mentions among the desired revivals.

On the other hand, readers voiced various opinions on which car brands should be forgotten. Tesla and “Chinese cars” dominated this list, perhaps reflecting the ongoing competition and challenges faced by the automotive industry. Surprisingly, even Volvo and Saab, two brands deeply cherished by Swedes, appeared on this list, indicating a range of viewpoints.

It’s fascinating to witness how people’s sentiments towards car brands can shape the collective desire to see certain brands resurrected or relegated to history. The automotive landscape continues to evolve, and these reader opinions offer a glimpse into the ever-changing preferences and emotions of the car enthusiasts.