Missing Out(back)

2011 Subaru Outback

A few days ago I posted my thoughts on the future of wagons at General Motors.   After publishing the article, I was pondering other ways in which these wagons could add sales to their prospective model lines.   Subaru sells <100,00 Subaru Outbacks per year.   In 2010, sales of the Super Outback skyrocketed, forcing Subaru to add shifts to increase production of the SUV alternative.   General Motors is missing out on a growing market segment that currently only offers one car.   The Epsilon II platform that underpins the Malibu was designed to accommodate all wheel drive.  Chevrolet could invest in adding all wheel drive, raising the ride height, and butching up the styling for a Malibu based SUV alternative that would compete directly with the Subaru Outback.   Sales of the Outback will continue to rise and GM should take notice and bring to market a competing model to steal some sales away from Subaru.  

2005 Holden Adventra

GM's Australia division Holden introduced a butched up Commodore Wagon called the Adventra.  The big wagon was powered by eith a 3.6 liter V-6 or a 5.7 liter V-8.  Sales of the model were slow due to its high price and high global petrol prices.  A modern, all wheel drive sedan based on the global Malibu would be a better alternative in today's market for people who need the utility and traction of an SUV with the fuel efficiency of a modern car.   If GM wants to be a full line automaker, it should introduce cars across all of its brands that compete in every segment.