Should VW bring the Passat Alltrack to North America?

[Turbio!]

Nope. The current one - which is more of a crossover than a lifted wagon anyway - outsells its predecessors by a huge margin.

[GolfVIDriver]

Just for gits and shrins I pulled up some previous Outback sales numbers.

http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=43&item=274




Outback
8891 Oct '11 MTD
8694 Oct '10 MTD
2.3% % change
83682 Oct '11 YTD
75078 Oct '10 YTD


So for the month of October in 2011, the Outback sold 83682 units. Not too damn bad, so what does this have to do with my point?

My point is the Outback is the highest selling wagon in this niche. That 83,682 units represents a high water mark, and any other competitors are looking at scraps of that figure.

It really doesn't make sense to federalize the Passat wagon with these numbers. Again, the wagon will likely START around $30,000 with a V6 engine. Not coincidently, thats likely where the 3 row Passat crossover will start. As a person with a need for an SUV, I see ABSOLUTELY NO reason to choose the Passat wagon over the crossover at the same price.

VW made the right choice. Sorry guys.

[Turbio!]

The '10 figures are for the current generation as well, though.

But I agree. People buy Outbacks because they want an Outback, not because they want a lifted wagon. Nothing else in the category has even touched its sales performance and probably won't. VW can make a lot more sales out of a three-row crossover and a priced-right Tiguan successor.

[pwm]

The '10 figures are for the current generation as well, though.

But I agree. People buy Outbacks because they want an Outback, not because they want a lifted wagon. Nothing else in the category has even touched its sales performance and probably won't.

I really think Honda would've had a challenger to the Outback and missed the boat with the Crosstour. I remember the original mules/renderings/etc. It was basically an Accord Wagon with the Audi Allroad treatment (slightly lifted, plastic cladding). Had they kept that design I think they would've had a hit. Instead they opted for a heavy, thirsty thing with Cheshire-Cat front/Pooping-dog rear design language, and well...no one can pull both those looks off.

[Turbio!]

I really think Honda would've had a challenger to the Outback and missed the boat with the Crosstour. I remember the original mules/renderings/etc. It was basically an Accord Wagon with the Audi Allroad treatment (slightly lifted, plastic cladding). Had they kept that design I think they would've had a hit. Instead they opted for a heavy, thirsty thing with Cheshire-Cat front/Pooping-dog rear design language, and well...no one can pull both those looks off.

I think they could have challenged the Outback with a better Crosstour, and I think you and I have agreed on that before...but I suspect that people would have bought it because something that size and capacity fills a hole in the Honda lineup for Honda loyalists, not necessarily instead of the Outback. That would have been a better idea than the current abortion, even so.

[clutchrider]

Not gonna lie but if they brought it here I would seriously look into and give one a drive as a replacement for the GLI in a few years. By then I'll have my 2 kids, a new house, the same dog, and my wife and would want something larger. I'm a wagon fan and love my parents XC70 so this would fill the void nicely.

[IsraelGT]

If I was in the market for a VW I would take this over the Tiguan. I think it would be wise to bring it.
It would sell well.
Make it a TDI and with the coming oil prices...

[Turbio!]

If I was in the market for a VW I would take this over the Tiguan. I think it would be wise to bring it.
It would sell well.
Make it a TDI and with the coming oil prices...

See above. Look, I'd consider one too, maybe. But VW doesn't need a distraction from developing nontrivial volume models. Approach this like a business, not like a buyer.

[GolfVIDriver]

See above. Look, I'd consider one too, maybe. But VW doesn't need a distraction from developing nontrivial volume models. Approach this like a business, not like a buyer.

Agreed.

VW looked at this and said "we can do one variant off this platform. Should it be a 3 row SUV or a Nutswinger Special Allroad-style wagon?"

They chose what would get the higher sales.

[155VERT83]

Bring the Scirocco too.

[saron81]

Just for gits and shrins I pulled up some previous Outback sales numbers.

http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=43&item=274




Outback
8891 Oct '11 MTD
8694 Oct '10 MTD
2.3% % change
83682 Oct '11 YTD
75078 Oct '10 YTD


So for the month of October in 2011, the Outback sold 83682 units. Not too damn bad, so what does this have to do with my point?

My point is the Outback is the highest selling wagon in this niche. That 83,682 units represents a high water mark, and any other competitors are looking at scraps of that figure.

It really doesn't make sense to federalize the Passat wagon with these numbers. Again, the wagon will likely START around $30,000 with a V6 engine. Not coincidently, thats likely where the 3 row Passat crossover will start. As a person with a need for an SUV, I see ABSOLUTELY NO reason to choose the Passat wagon over the crossover at the same price.

VW made the right choice. Sorry guys.

No, they sold 83,682 from Oct 10 thru Oct 11.
They sold 8891 in that one month.

[BsickPassat]

Should & will people buy one are 2 different things.

VW did offer the Passat wagon in B6 form.... very few bought them, hence why VW currently does not offer a Passat wagon.

a 3 liter V6 TDI isn't going to fit transversely....

if a VR configurating for TDI works, it would be pretty cool... since that's why on the Passat/CC... it used a VR configuration for the V6.

[VDub2625]

Bring the Scirocco too.

In AWD V6 TDI 7 speed manual (they can just borrow that from Porsche, can't they?).

[sg207ptg]

Wagon + Diesel will always be on top of my list.
<--- see my stable - I want wagon and if I don't have a choice, I'd take an SUV over a sedan.

Bring them over.