FCA: Why Build an Alfa Romeo Giulia Sport Wagon When You Already Have an SUV?

Alfa Romeo has bragged that it will have nine new cars on the market by 2021 ever since brand boss and arm-day workout expert Reid Bigland announced a plan to “ absolutely to go toe to toe with the Germans.”

A big part of that plan included a Giulia Sport Wagon to compete with the Deutsche estate cars. Apparently, this was a big fat lie and Bigland should meet me in the parking lot after school because Alfredo Altavilla, Fiat Chrysler’s CEO for Europe, Africa and Middle East, now says the model is off the table.

“We have decided not to make a Giulia Sport Wagon,” Altavilla explained to journalists in Europe. “Do we really need it if the SUV Stelvio handles so well? Probably not. With our fine tuning, Stelvio can interest all those people who might have been interested [in the wagon].”

Do you know what handles better than a lowered SUV with no true off-roading capabilities? A five-door wagon with an even lower center of gravity.

The argument that people who like wagons will automatically gravitate to crossovers would also carry a little more weight if the automakers with the most cachet weren’t already jumping onto the “ shooting-brake” bandwagon, earmarking it as the next hot trend.

However, the crossover is assuredly the less risky of the two — especially in North America, where it would unquestionably sell better. When I take a moment to consider the issue of corporate finances, and the fact that Bigland probably didn’t even know FCA would murder the Giulia wagon back in November, I suppose I can let the very brawny and tough-looking head of Alfa Romeo and Maserati off the hook.

While it’s always better not to get too attached to a vehicle before it enters production, nobody likes being promised something only to see it snatched away from them either. I cannot be the only car enthusiast or wagon-lover that finds this a very bitter pill to swallow.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Sport Wagon was expected to premiere at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show next month. I will be holding a moment of silence for it on March 10th at noon EST.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]