What would the automotive industry look like if a founder had a trillion dollars to spend on a new manufacturer? That is the premise behind a discussion opened by Jalopnik, which invites readers to define the car company they would create.
The source's proposed answer is “Saab Two” — a conceptual successor to Saab rather than a conventional revival. The idea reflects the lasting pull of discontinued brands whose identities still resonate with enthusiasts, even when rebuilding a manufacturer would require far more than a familiar badge.
For buyers, engineers and fleet operators, the more revealing question is what a clean-sheet company should prioritise. A new brand could focus on electric vehicles, durable fleet products, distinctive design, software-led ownership or a sharper approach to driver engagement.
Unlimited funding would not settle those choices. A credible carmaker still needs a clear product strategy, production capability and a reason for customers to choose it over established rivals. The trillion-dollar exercise is ultimately a test of automotive priorities: what would enthusiasts preserve, and what would they build differently?
