Question of the Night: What brand needs more models?

"boxrocket" (boxrocket) 10/05/2015 at 21:54 • Filed to: question of the night, qotn

0

30

There are quite a number of “full-line” manufacturers, which offer (with some variances), subcompact, compact, midsize, and full-size cars; a sports car; a truck; a minivan/people carrier; a compact, small, midsize, and large SUV/Crossover; and at least one hybrid. Honda, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan, FCA (as a collective), etc.

However, there are brands that have a much smaller lineup, either due to popularity (like Mitsubishi), capacity (like Subaru), focus (like Mazda), or not fitting the brand’s portfolio or public perception (like Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, etc., etc.).

What brand is sorely lacking having several more models than they currently offer? I don’t mean they need the model bloat like GM has, but a few more models to “flesh out” the lineup.

My vote would be Subaru. Yes, they’ve had some ill-fated releases, due to poor timing (Baja and SVX), off-putting design (Tribeca), overpriced, or underwhelming (360, to an extent) But they have a legion of diehard followers - who can almost be as bad as apple cultists, and judging by the number of apple stickers on the backs of them, they share a good chunk of the same crowd), and there’s enough passion behind the brand - and perhaps now conquests from faltering brands like Volkswagen and Mitsubishi - to allow for more daring production vehicles, but without the questionable quality and design of vehicles like the Tribeca and Baja. The XV CrossTrek has been a success, despite being a lifted Impreza, and the Forester is a fairly good vehicle in its own right, so perhaps it's time for them to make a push again?

Bandit > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 21:57

1

Lancia? Alfa? All the great companies that at one time made awesome cars but fell victim to poor management and quality control.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:01

4

Pontiac... Pontiac needs more models.

(never forget)

jkm7680 > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:05

7

Chrysler.

They’ve got like two? Three?

Berang > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:07

0

Subaru has more models in Japan which they unfortunately do not sell here. I’d like to see them bring in an up to date Justy, or a new Brat.

If/when Saab comes back I hope they have a better line up. Their lack of models is what really killed them.

Wobbles the Mind > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:14

1

Chrysler of course.

But I would, argue for their size, Honda doesn’t offer even close to the amount of variations as they should. They have a subcompact, compact, and midsize sedan and crossover. You can get an accord or civic in a coupe. The Ridgeline is gone and was a decade old. The CR-Z and Crosstour exist from when Honda was going to expand their line up but they obviously stopped caring 18 months later, just like us. Then what does Acura have? Three sedans and two crossovers and like two engines? WTF?! Like they don’t have platforms or something! Mazda and Subaru actually have quite a few models for their size.

ianmkerr > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:14

0

I think Lamborghini needs more models. The huracan and aventador are awesome, but they could defanatly make a awesome looking sedan like the concept they had a few years back. Put the 700hp v12 from the aventador in it and they would sell every one they could make

not for canada - australian in disguise > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:14

0

Mitsubishi or Chrysler.

ranwhenparked > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:15

2

Dodge and Chrysler could both benefit from development. I know they’re supposed to be part of the FCA “House of Brands” Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram-Fiat dealerships, but the brands are supposed to be each chasing different markets, not plugging the holes in each other’s lineup.

Dodge: needs a midsize sedan, a subcompact car, and a compact crossover. Also, if Dodge is to be partnered with Alfa Romeo as an “American performance” brand, like what Pontiac tried to be, they could probably use an attainable sports car priced below the Viper - eventually. Crossovers and mainstream cars come first.

Chrysler: needs a compact sedan and crossovers. At least three crossovers.

Oh, and then there’s Mitsubishi. They’ve got two city cars (one of which nobody buys), a compact sedan that’s pushing a decade, and two crossovers. No intermediate, no proper subcompact in between Mirage and Lancer, no large crossover.

Autofixation > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:21

1

I think that Subaru should bring over the Levorg model. They should also redesign the Tribeca, bring out another Baja based on the Levorg platform (because a Baja based on the current Outback would be hideous), and make a new SVX with a MANUAL!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch 10/05/2015 at 22:21

0

Yeah, our Pontiac has been awesome. Other than simple maintenance, it hasn’t had a problem in 135k miles.

TheHondaBro > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:23

0

A.

Cu.

Ra.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > jkm7680 10/05/2015 at 22:26

0

A new Aspen would be good for the brand. maybe with another name.

jkm7680 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 10/05/2015 at 22:28

1

Or a purpose built rental car.

Oh wait.

LongbowMkII > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:30

0

Scion needs a small crossover. glad to get the small wagon (iM), but it honestly wouldnt do as well as a crossover.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:35

0

Hyundai.

HyundaiHyundai wanted to create a new luxury brand in the Genesis name. Dealers association and lobbysists told them they needed to have more standard branded models on sale.

marshknute > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 22:37

0

Fiat: Technically only one model, available in different sizes and different engines.

The 124 Spider will be a huge step forward for them.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 10/05/2015 at 22:41

2

Mine’s never had a serious problem, just headlight issues (headlights go up, headlights go downOHGODWHATSTHATTERRIBLESOUND) and a vacuum leak.

Also, that Pontiac Vibe has Toyota-esque reliability, I wonder why . ;)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch 10/05/2015 at 22:48

1

That was kind of my joke. Though the Toyota behind it only has a few grand in engine repairs in it...Fucking head gaskets.

Hot Takes Salesman > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 23:05

1

Well, we know what Mazda needs to give us (hint: TRIANGLESTRIANGLESTRIANGLES). But how about Jaguar? What about an M3/M4/C63/ATS-V rival, sedan and coupe? That would be epic because Jaaaaaaaaag

AthomSfere > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 23:09

1

I really, really want a Ute-esque thing. Subaru bringing back the Baja, but with some power this time would be GREAT!

Why doesn’t anyone offer a small truck? Damnit, I want a Ute, Baja, S10... The Colorado, Dakota are all the size of yesteryear’s full size.

DoYouEvenShift > boxrocket 10/05/2015 at 23:39

1

Dusty Ventures > AthomSfere 10/06/2015 at 00:04

1

Baja with some power you say? Allow me to introduce you to the Baja Turbo.

AthomSfere > Dusty Ventures 10/06/2015 at 00:40

0

At 3500 lbs though, ~200hp ain’t great. Not bad? Nope, not bad. But 250+ would probably have saved it.

boxrocket > Hot Takes Salesman 10/06/2015 at 01:02

0

The XE is already being seen as the new leader in the class, taking several comparisons away from the benchmark 3-series, so there's likely an XE-R, S, and R-S coming, just like the XF.

Atomic Buffalo > boxrocket 10/06/2015 at 01:49

0

Cadillac.

Yeah, I know they don’t have the volume, and they don’t have the depth of development resources needed to do it right, but set aside the “can’t”s for a moment.

Part of what makes the Germans desirable is their plethora of lifestyle statements. Yes, that diversification strained their ability to deliver excellent products, but they each got through it and they’re stronger than ever. If Cadillac can’t learn how to offer distinctive derivatives of their platforms, they’ll be stuck as a value alternative.

Convertible. Four-door (or even five-door) fastbacks. Compact crossover. Fastback crossover. Bigger coupe/GT. And a god-damned wagon.

Cadillac building awesome sedans is like Porsche building awesome sports cars. Necessary, but not sufficient.

Atomic Buffalo > ranwhenparked 10/06/2015 at 02:06

0

Narrowing Dodge to a performance brand and devaluing Chrysler as a mainstream non-luxury brand — these moves are perhaps more damaging than The Great Pennypinching. FCA will spend years fucking these brands up as they try to force-feed us Fiat and Alfa Romeo.

Dusty Ventures > AthomSfere 10/06/2015 at 02:26

1

I wouldn’t mind a 250+ hp Baja

pip bip - choose Corrour > boxrocket 10/06/2015 at 03:06

0

Saab.

Mitsubishi.

Hot Takes Salesman > boxrocket 10/06/2015 at 07:10

1

I'd love to see an XE with a Jag V8, that would be fantastic

gin-san - shitpost specialist > boxrocket 10/06/2015 at 15:18

0

I agree with Subaru, and I think they’re lacking in small cars - I like the R1, and I think the fact that there’s an R1 STi is funny. It’s just waaay too low on horsepower (the STi version is 65hp or thereabouts) but I like the idea of small cars that are faster than they look (like an Abarth or JCW Mini).