GM Seeks "Contemporary Wagon" For Americans
Unless you pay a visit to Mr. Lang’s lot on the right day or really love Volkswagen, the only wagons available for Americans today are mostly Teutonic, and all come with a high price tag. According to GM North American President Mark Reuss, that’s a problem, and one he’d like to fix pronto.
Aside from filling holes in markets GM doesn’t have anything for as of yet — including compact vans like the Ford Transit Connect, or a Panamera-fighter for the Buick lineup — Reuss wants to give consumers “a contemporary wagon for mainstream America” that is more affordable than anything on the lots of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or even Cadillac. He also promises, for what it’s worth, that the wagon won’t have faux-wood paneling as an option. Sorry, hipsters.
One easy candidate would be to bring over the Cruze Wagon from Europe; Reuss already has eyes on a five-door hatchback version of the compact when the second generation rolls off the ramp, but why stop there? Sometimes not even a hatch is enough for some tasks, and since there are no small pickups or utes around anymore (in the United States, anyway), a business case could be made in federalizing the Cruze Wagon for sale on our shores.
Of course, if a Cruze meets the criteria for “a contemporary wagon for mainstream America,” then what does that say about the Teutonic tourers or the art and science behind Cadillac’s CTS? Are they too Lady Gaga for the masses?
Photo credit: Chevrolet
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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Very nice but it won't fly here. If you look at what GM, Toyota, and the other major players sell around the world you begin to see the US market usually gets the most vanilla models.
Let me add more fuel to the speculation. A Malibu Station Wagon. " t appears wagons may also have some fans in GM’s boardroom, if a quote from General Motors’ Mark Reuss is any indication. When asked by Automotive News whether or not a wagon version of the new Malibu might be coming, he replied by saying it was an “interesting idea.”" http://rumors.automobilemag.com/gms-reuss-calls-malibu-wagon-interesting-idea-42705.html#axzz2k22JZysR
Wagon angst should be regulation angst. Its foolish regulations that keep all these models and variations out of the states. What car fans should be pushing for is streamlined regulations that would allow cars driven in Europe and Asia to be driven here - without being recertified. One certification to rule them all. This would allow say the RS6 to come right over here. And the wagons companies like Ford already make could come here as well. It's the same thing with manual transmissions. Everyone is always but it wouldn't sell..but they DO sell. We need to think globally not locally. The standards they have on the autobahn are good enough for us here - and vice versa.
Well, if GM was serios about taking on BMW they would keep GMH alive and expand HSV. Like I stated GMH can't build everyday cars, but should be developed along with HSV into a prestige marque to take on the Germans and other Europeans. But, Detroit being Detroit already went bust due to poor decisions by goverment (regulations, tariffs, barriers), UAW and manufacturers. Here is a great BMW competitor, it's a great GM wagon. http://www.topspeed.com/cars/holden/2013-hsv-gen-f-clubsport-r8-tourer-ar155683.html