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and am impressed by what I see. My trusty Explorer died last year and I was in the market for a smaller SUV or crossover, but just couldn't pull the trigger on one due to, of all things, a lack of storage space. I really liked driving the Escape but there's no way my dog could fit in the back, all the storage space was vertical. I wound up buying a Taurus that can carry a whole family, including the dog, in the trunk.
This new Buick has much more WORKABLE storage space than what I saw in the Escape, plus it's a car, not a neutered truck. In my younger days I had a small wagon when my family was starting out and loved that little thing. I'm intrigued by this one, how about you?
Recently got rid of my VW Jetta wagon. I have a C-Max which is considered a wagon, (yeah, not really a wagon, wagon). I've had many wagons over the years. Loved my 95 Caprice wagon. For me the wagon never went away.
I think it's a great looking car, but to answer your question, no the station wagon will not make a comeback in the US. I actually work for GM as an industry analyst, and can tell you that there aren't really any new wagons in the works from competitors. It will remain a niche segment of the market for the foreseeable future. Even with this vehicle we are marketing it as more of a crossover.
I think it's a great looking car, but to answer your question, no the station wagon will not make a comeback in the US. I actually work for GM as an industry analyst, and can tell you that there aren't really any new wagons in the works from competitors. It will remain a niche segment of the market for the foreseeable future. Even with this vehicle we are marketing it as more of a crossover.
Nothing personal but I don't think industry ananlysist really have a very good grasp on what people want. My daughter plays bass guitar and we had a hard time finding something that would carry it in the back. This Buick would have been of interest if available. For years the industry said people wouldn't buy Hybrids also. They did.
For years the industry refused to offer a small diesel pickup. They finally have but only in one loaded down with options. Yes, there is a market for a small diesel pickup. Europe sells cars in large numbers that manufacturers refuse to bring here. I'd love to get hold of one of the small diesel mini campers available in Europe.
Nothing personal but I don't think industry ananlysist really have a very good grasp on what people want. My daughter plays bass guitar and we had a hard time finding something that would carry it in the back. This Buick would have been of interest if available. For years the industry said people wouldn't buy Hybrids also. They did.
For years the industry refused to offer a small diesel pickup. They finally have but only in one loaded down with options. Yes, there is a market for a small diesel pickup. Europe sells cars in large numbers that manufacturers refuse to bring here. I'd love to get hold of one of the small diesel mini campers available in Europe.
No offense taken. My job actually entails forecasting sales at the model level. As part of this I do look at a lot of market research data. A lot of smaller crossovers are essentially wagons and that is what sells today. Build a wagon, raise it a few inches, add some body cladding, call it a crossover and it will sell.
No offense taken. My job actually entails forecasting sales at the model level. As part of this I do look at a lot of market research data. A lot of smaller crossovers are essentially wagons and that is what sells today. Build a wagon, raise it a few inches, add some body cladding, call it a crossover and it will sell.
This guy is right. The market for wagons is tiny - sales reps like me love them. But crossovers and plastic clad wagons are what sells.
No offense taken. My job actually entails forecasting sales at the model level. As part of this I do look at a lot of market research data. A lot of smaller crossovers are essentially wagons and that is what sells today. Build a wagon, raise it a few inches, add some body cladding, call it a crossover and it will sell.
Do you ever feel like it's a little bit of self-fulfilling prophecy, though?
I went to a Lexus dealership when my wife was looking for a small SUV. They had two packages of RX. Meaning that they had two ways they equipped their RXs. So every car on the lot was either equipped one way or the other way.
When I asked why they did that, they said that pretty much every dealership in the area (tri-state) did the same thing with the RX. And that those were the two highest selling configurations of RX.
And I was like, "Well, if that is how all the cars on the lots of every dealership are, then of course that is what most people will have."
Not to mention people like to follow the herd, and if there are sparse offerings of what people think are a little bit strange, they're less likely to buy it even though they may really want it.
Do you ever feel like it's a little bit of self-fulfilling prophecy, though?
I went to a Lexus dealership when my wife was looking for a small SUV. They had two packages of RX. Meaning that they had two ways they equipped their RXs. So every car on the lot was either equipped one way or the other way.
When I asked why they did that, they said that pretty much every dealership in the area (tri-state) did the same thing with the RX. And that those were the two highest selling configurations of RX.
And I was like, "Well, if that is how all the cars on the lots of every dealership are, then of course that is what most people will have."
Not to mention people like to follow the herd, and if there are sparse offerings of what people think are a little bit strange, they're less likely to buy it even though they may really want it.
No I don't think it is a self fulfilling prophecy. Research data clearly shows that more people prefer the higher ride height of a crossover to the lower height of a wagon or sedan.
Wagons are unpopular (like minivans) with the soccer mom set. While they aren't seen as cool, lift them and put a fancy badge on them and suddenly that snazzy SUV becomes the ultimate kid hauler/starbucks cruiser!
Much like pickups that never haul anything but home depot mulch twice a year, 4X4's that never go offroad or sportscars that never see a racetrack much of the car selling is based on image. Nobody dreams of piloting a wagon or minivan and looking good doing it.
Old men like wagons (so they can brag about hauling full sheets of plywood) or taking Jr and all his friends to college in the big wagon while getting 33 mpg! Wagons are practical but I wouldn't buy one.
I think the Jetta wagon 6 speed had a "best of both worlds" vibe. The diesel version was impressive when it got over 45 mpg but I have zero use for a small wagon. If you need a people hauler (minivan/wagon) is fine, but I would rather take two cars instead!
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