For the calendar year 2013, GM has released or revamped 13 models, making it a very busy time. Though many areas of the spectrum are covered, from trucks to electric vehicles, there is a particular one that hasn’t been done in the United States.
In Europe, people love wagons (or estates), or so we’re told. They also like shifting their own gears, but let’s refrain from opening Pandora’s Box for right now. GM understands that the US market is missing this important player for everyday use – the affordable wagon. Yes, the last-gen CTS was offered in a wagon and a supercharged V8 in the case of the V Series, but the sticker price usually brought a bit of shock along with it.
On Monday, GM’s North American President, Mark Reuss named a few different “holes’ in GM’s lineup that needed to be filled. None more desired or interesting than the affordable wagon. The Chevy Cruze fits the bill for a “contemporary” car, and considering that it’s sold as a five door overseas, you’d think that it would be a contender for the spot. However, the Cruze might be a bit too small. A better size would perhaps be a Malibu or Impala, a car fit for mainstream America.
We don’t yet know details on what the name will be, or if it will be based off of an existing model – but we do know that the top of GM is hearing our cries for help.
Comments
I say it’s about time, bring it on. Numerous other manufacturers do it with success, granted they aren’t volume sellers, but they still have them available for those who need or want them. Most have minivans or sport-utes along side as well and they still sell them. So why not GM and the US of A? 🙂
Well, considering Holden already make the Sportwagon that America wants…V8,V6, Auto, Manual, large car, etc etc etc….then just send that to the US…..its not rocket science.
They are an awesome wagon.
I’d say make a Malibu wagon! I would get one right away! My grandpa has a 2009 Saab 9-3 Sport Combi Aero and it is one of the best cars to drive/ride in ever! A 2.5L (196HP), 2.0L T (265HP) and 2.8L T (350HP). 6-Speed Auto and a 6-Speed Manual. They could also increase the rear legroom in a wagon! A sliding rear bench seat (i.e. Terrain/Equinox/Torrent) would be a nice feature, a panoramic moonroof would be great too! A Hybrid/ECO version should be available with an 8-Speed Auto 2-Mode Transmission, eAssist, Regen. Brakes, Start/Stop and a 1.6L Turbo I4 with around 175HP (Plus around 15 extra HP from eAssist).
GM needs:
Chevrolet; Cruze Wagon, Tru 140S or Code 130R, Malibu Wagon, New Traverse and Equinox
Buick; Regal Coupe/Wagon/Convertible, Anthem, Verano Wagon, New Enclave
GMC; New Terrain, New Acadia and another small CUV to compare to the Buick Encore.
Cadillac; ATS Wagon/Coupe, CTS Coupe, New SRX, LTS another large SUV to compare to the Lambda’s.
and of course:
Pontiac; Grand Prix Sedan/Coupe, Grand Am Sedan/Convertible and Bonneville Sedan/Wagon/Coupe.
A Buick Regal wagon is available right off the assembly line; just the front and back fascias have to be retooled from Opel/Vauxhall Insignia to Buick. Same for a Buick Verano wagon and hatchback.
A Malibu wagon would need to be developed first.
But both Cruze wagon and 5-door hatch are available, and look better (in my eyes) than the regular sedan.
One thing that may help wagon uptake: Looming federal regulations requiring backup cameras. If buyers are guaranteed a backup camera comes standard, I think many will be more likely to attach to wagon types.
The NHTSA got raked over the coils by advocacy groups this year for failing to implement passed legislation (in other words, failing to enforce the law) mandating auto makers include backup cameras.
I suspect these are coordinated timings – add wagon variants to help recoup the cost of backup cam’ing the fleet.
I’ve been driving a Cruze SW 1.4 T LTZ+ manual for about 10 months now. It’s a great car and it’s really stupid that it’s not available in the U.S. too. And yes, it does have a backup camera.
There may be a small segment here that will buy these but it will not challenge the exploding CUV market much.
People here like the taller roofs and sitting up higher. With the climbing prices of the large SUV and the poor gas mileage the CUV has struck a cord with the public. Also not the Mini Van sales are no where near what they used to be.
Now don’t think I hate sport wagons because my daily driver is a HHR SS. I just know from being in this segment I am one of few who would choose this path first hand.
As for the camera’s that will so little for wagon sales as most wagons are no harder to drive than a sedan. In many cases easier than a sedan. Besides if you can not back up a wagon without the camera you should not be driving. Large CYV’s are different as they sit so high you lose the lower perspective. I have a Terrain too so I understand this segment too.
Scott’s last paragraph says volumes. Where is the due diligence of drivers to get out and look or crank their head around and see? Or to even walk around the vehicle before getting in and leaving? True most sedans and wagons are easy as well, it’s only those tall blocky unwielding things that need them
Wagons—– i love wagons, how about a high end impala wagon with all the goodies, I also have a highly modified 94 LT-1 roadmaster wagon,lowered, wheels, modified drivetrain and suspension, its fast and does everything good ,even gas milage ,and i can haul 4×8 sheets of plywood in the back if i want, bring back a cool wagon, it will sell !!!
I would love a quality, good handling family sized wagon. Cruze is too small. Two liter engine, turbo. with AWD as an option.
If it has a diesel and AWD, and is at least Malibu size, I’m in! Just saw a CTS V-wagon at a car show; it had a six speed! Impressive vehicle, and the owner couldn’t say enough good things about it, and he also had a Corvette convertible there!
Back to the wagon, I really like the VW Jetta Sportwagen with the diesel, but I’m afraid it’s just a little too small. Also like the Audi A4 Allroad, but would rather have the CTS – V wagon for the price.
Why not SS wagon? The vehicle already exists. Build ’em and send ’em with the PPV version and SS sedan. As long as they’re making Utes send those , too. Send ’em all til they stop current design. Wagons are great. I have HHR now and wonder what GM product to get. No CUV’s!
Although a great idea! The SS is not affordable (it is contemporary) and is also not very economical. I think Ruess was hinting towards the Malibu and/or Regal. With a 2.5L (196HP and 187LB-FT) and a 2.0L Turbo (265HP and 305LB-FT) it would be perfect! Adding a diesel later might be nice too! An ECO version with a 1.6L Turbo (185HP and 175LB-FT), 6-Speed 2-Mode Transmission, eAssist, Regen. Brakes and Start/Stop. That would be sweet!
Regal is very nice. Could handle something like that. My Dad sold his ’95 Caprice wagon last summer. Great car. 350 w/ dual exhaust. Great ride quality. Comfortable. 24 MPG.
There is so little market for the SS wagon. The Magnum has already shown us that. Same for a Malibu wagon.
A Cruze wagon would do the best of anything as the smaller the car. The In a small car usefulness is limited and this would enhance the cars use while still keeping it small. Generally the larger cars are also joined by a SUV or CUV in most owners garages. Lets face it if you can afford a SS then you generally already have more than one vehicle.
If you have a Cruze often there is a better chance you only have one vehicle.
The key for this car is to compete with the only wagon in the world that really sells the Mazda 3.
Mark definitely wants to bring the Holden Commodore Sportwagon to America, he told Australian media that he constantly crunches the numbers to bring the wagon and ute to the states but can’t find a way that will work well for both Holden and GM North America. The Commodore comes standard with reversing camera on all trims so qualifying with legislation is no problem.
One thing though is a Malibu wagon would compete with the likes of the Mazda 6 wagon and Ford Mondeo wagon. This could give GM a slice of the market share or result in being the laughing stock of the mid-size wagon category. Recent reviews by Australian automotive media have deemed the Malibu not worth buying over its competition as well as the Commodore so I think the Sportwagon would be a better option if possible. Plus it is already in existing and requires no development. The sportwagon can only be sold with the same package as the SS or the SS needs to offer lower spec models to match. If not Chevrolet, than sell the Calais and Calais-V trim Commodore sedans and wagons as Buicks.
Do you think that GM will still practice hodge-podge badge engineering between all brands, or didn’t the rather to separate out three main international lines, i.e. entry level Chevrolet, luxury Cadillac and mid-way Buick/Opel/Vauxhall.
I think that they will not repeat those developements again of the 1973 Opel Kadett, which later was marketed in the USA as Chevrolet Chevette, Pontiac T1000/1000, Opel by Isuzu/Buick Opel, and Isuzu I-Mark.
Would it be viable for Chevy to sell the Insignia wagon after a few modifications? Most Americans do not know the Opel lineup.
No, GM has the Buick Regal which is already an Opel Insignia. It wouldn’t make any sense to have a Regal wagon as a Chevrolet. . . .
The problem its that GM is ending the Aussie export program due to the high AUg dollar and other economic obstacles.
I know, but sale as a Chevy would be value price. Buick can hardly sell Regal as is. Plus, volume would be weak.
A new front facada, new character lines, and no buyer would be the wiser.
They need to badger engineer more Opel cars that have no home at Buick.
I’d like to see a Cruze wagon, but given my rathers … the Impala hand down. The Impala will lend itself nicely to the needs of a lot of small business needs as well as family jobs. Cost wise I feel a $2K to $3K price variation over what a Cruze model would sell for would be an easy sell up fact, not feature. I’d be in the market for a Impala Estate in what used to be the LS trim and a trailer hitch. a 2,000 lb tow capacity is a necessity. The Cruze would never be able to hit a 2,000 lb tow rating. Go for it Mark Reuss ! They will sell.
Most of the people that I know that have Wagon never put anything back there, and it becomes a open space used for nothing!
I would rather see a two door sport model
All you need to back up anything is a set of mirrors property adjusted! And if you can’t you need not to be driving!
But we can tell people that now can we! People have feelings you need to look out for!
2-door sport model … there are literally dozens of 2-door sport models out there, but more useful vehicles are few apart, the Fords C-Max, Focus 5-door, an Fiesta, the Honda Fit and Insight, are the first to come to mind. And sorry SUVs aren’t wagons, most are just bloated ego mobiles, that SUV stands for supremely useless vehicle. I am a European at heart and have traveled there, the European drivers are amazed at the lack of Estate class vehicles. I tell them that the “Stigma” of being a family vehicles is a big factor against the humble wagon, the guys from France and Germany always say … Get over it, and buy an adult vehicle.
Seems like the wagon stigma has shifted over to mini vans. Granted, there is something geeky about those Caravans.
The real question is whether there is such a thing as an “adult” auto? If so, that space now is filled by sedans
The auto makers seem pleased to focus on just a few segments. I would guess it is a cost thing. Remember when Americans drove not just wagons but also coupes?
Yea Wagon blow really hard! What a pathetic car for someone to have! Unless it’s a 500+ hp cts v
As for the 2 door sport models being every where, not from GM! vette camaro and then nothing!
I wish GM would redo the old Fiero or even Reatta. I would.settle for an old Grand Prix coupe.
Sedans blow! Top think BMW 3 series is considered sporty. I would actually take an Insignia Estate over that.