Could Detroit Bring Sedans Back?
- Adam Bernard
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Could Detroit bring affordable sedans back to America? I had a fascinating chat with the Wall Street Journal's Chris Otts about this (see his article here), and thought it sounded like a good time to look into how GM, Ford, and Stellantis might go about getting back into the car market...
GM actually still sells both compact and midsize sedans in China. The compact Chevy Monza is based on a low-cost variant of GM's D2 platform, so they might be able to build that alongside the Equinox and Terrain. Alternatively, the Buick Verano Pro shares its platform with the Encore GX, and so could potentially be built in Korea (but would, of course, be subject to a tariff). The Chevrolet Malibu and Buick Regal still exist in China as well, but there's no obvious place to build them in North America. South America still has the small (and aging) Chevy Onix, which is likely not suitable for American tastes.
Although Ford stopped building the compact Escort in China three years ago, they still sell a mainstream midsize sedan – the Mondeo – in China (and badge it as the Taurus in some other markets). The Mondeo uses Ford's C2 platform, underpinning the Bronco Sport and Maverick, and so Ford might be able to add it to a line here in North America. Alternatively, Ford used to build the Fusion in Flat Rock, Michigan, alongside the Mustang, so there seems to be some flexibility there that might allow the reintroduction of a FWD BFI architecture.
Stellantis still builds sedans and hatchbacks – but they are sold by brands that aren't part of the U.S. market. Could an Opel Astra sedan or hatch (or wagon!) be repurposed as a Dodge Colt? With the next-generation Jeep Compass, on the STLA Medium platform, set to be built in the U.S. in 2028, that could provide an opportunity to bring a STLA Medium-based compact car here for either Chrysler or Dodge.
As a famous Vulcan once said, "There are always possibilities." Let's see who makes the first move...
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