Wagenless: VW Ditches SportWagen and Alltrack in America
Volkswagen is abandoning SportWagen and Alltrack versions of the Golf in the United States. You already know why; crossovers are all anyone ever thinks about anymore. While we’re over here having sweaty fever dreams about sedans and extended hatchbacks, the rest of America is pulling up graphic crossover comparisons online — with the blinds tightly drawn, hopefully.
The front and all-wheel-drive wagons apparently could not keep up with VW’s crossover lineup, which currently accounts for more than half of Volkswagen’s sales in the U.S. and is only expected to get bigger.
“SUVs have definitely assumed the mantle of family haulers from the station wagons and minivans we remember from our childhoods,” explained Scott Keogh President and CEO of Volkswagen of America. “But as we look towards the future, both our expanded SUV lineup and the upcoming ID. family of electric vehicles will bring the opportunity to combine the style and space people want in a variety of ways. As the ID. BUZZ concept demonstrates, the flexibility of our EV platform gives us the ability to revive body styles of the past, so anything is possible.”
Both of the wagons are currently manufactured at the automaker’s plant in Puebla, Mexico, which ended production on the Beetle earlier this month. While they’re unlikely to to get the same high-profile farewell, their absence will still be felt on a market that’s gradually becoming over-saturated with crossover vehicles. But that’s what sells right now and it’s hardly fair to expect companies not to focus on higher-margin products.
Sales data indicates that Volkswagen has only sold 5,123 SportWagens through the end of June in 2019. Last year, it moved 14,123 inside the U.S. — a significant drop over 2018’s 26,700 deliveries.
The company announced that the cars would be on sale through the end of the year “to provide enthusiasts additional opportunity to own an affordable, European-designed wagon.” It also cited its lengthy history with the wagon body style — bringing up the Squareback, Type 412, Dasher, Quantum, Fox, and more before talking about how good present-day Atlas and Tiguan sales have been.
It’s always nice to see an automaker acknowledge the past, even when they’re obliterating it. Such is the nature of progress, we suppose.
[Images: Volkswagen]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I see these a fair bit up here in northern Connecticut. Far less than I see Outback wagons but New England could probably support this vehicle staying around if Volkswagen didn't have such a horrible reputation.
I purchase a 2018 Alltrack SE last August for about $6000 off sticker. I wanted a manual transmission and a color!...green, red, blue..I just did not want black, white silver or grey. The dealership checked all over western and upstate NY and the only car they could find was a silk blue one with DSG, not manual. I traded my BMW x3 in for it and I love it. So far I have tuned it...added 74 hp to the 1.8 turbo engine, put a free flow exhaust, a homelink auto dim mirror, 18' BBS wheels and various small accessories. The car is quick, handles well is very attractive and fun to drive. I even like the quick shifts of the DSG, especially compared to a colleagues CVT equipped Outback. It now sits in the garage with my 1981 Scirocco S and 2007 BMW Z4 coupe both with manual transmissions.