Most car manufacturers have recently expanded their range of models extremely. However, some of the series are also falling victim to the fiercer competition. For the model year 2020 take several goodbyes.
Whether it's an SUV boom, new emissions regulations, a change in strategy or just bad sales - there are many reasons for saying goodbye to car series. Sometimes there are several factors that cause red pencil experts to give string concerts. But not every farewell is forever.
With Corvette and Camaro, we are leaving this year not only two iconic sports cars but also the remnants of the Chevrolet brand, which in Europe is actually already set to 2017. For a few years, the GM subsidiary tried to gain a foothold in Europe as a cheap alternative to Opel, but then suddenly came to an end. However, not quite, because the responsible for Cadillac European headquarters in Switzerland has initially further distributed the sports cars Camaro and Corvette. But with the introduction of the Euro 6d-Temp emissions standard, both US icons are sawn off. In view of modest sales figures, the investment in better exhaust gas purification is simply not worthwhile anymore. In the case of the Camaro, the farewell is certain, because a model change will take a few years, which excludes a timely comeback. The final release of the Corvette, on the other hand, is not yet confirmed by the European GM offshoot, because the presentation of the eighth generation in mid-July may give a new perspective. When the new edition is presented, GM will also inform about its future in other markets. If the new Corvette officially does not get this in Germany, it would certainly not mean a farewell to fans for ever, because then there will be more of the Corvette cake left for the gray importers.
With Ford another US giant rethinks its Europe strategy. The next victim of the restructuring will be C-Max, who can look back on a 16-year career as a brisk family friend. In addition to the compact version also offered since 2010 Grand C-Max is canceled without replacement. The same fate befell 2017 already the small B-Max, which appeared in view of the SUV boom just for the customers no longer attractive enough. C-Maxe also cites Ford as having a lack of demand from vans, as customers increasingly choose the pseudo-off-roader when looking for spacious cars.
Jaguar's 50-year era will end in July, when production of the flagship XJ will be discontinued. The idiosyncratically drawn big cat was built for almost 10 years and its progressive styling marked the end of the exhausted retro phase at Jaguar. For Jaguar, however, the name XJ is an icon that is unlikely to die permanently. At least the British have indicated that they want to present a successor with the same name in the medium term. Rumor has it that this new XJ will be electrically powered and will no longer compete against the 7 Series and S-Class, but against Tesla Model S or Audi E-Tron GT.
Definitely will Opel or the new French parent company PSA the premium dwarf Adam. He is the victim of a major restructuring of the production sites in favor of SUV, because the responsible for the Adam Adam Opel site Eisenach will in future produce the Grandland X instead of the Corsa and its technically close relatives Adam. The newly introduced new edition of the Corsa is a technology brother of the Peugeot 208 and is also built like this in Zaragoza. For the Adam, who should polish up the image of the brand Opel with his start in the year 2013, in this new PSA strategy no more space remains.
The two sister models Rapid and Toledo have already disappeared from the configurators at Skoda and Seat. Although the sub-compact sold quite well, it is an economy model that had to be cut back in terms of quality, which not all customers liked. That is why the Czechs are now betting on the new Scala, which is a real compact and close relative of the VW Golf, which can also meet the higher demands of compact car buyers. Those who mourn the cheaper Rapid don't have to give up, because you can still get it as a new car. There are currently stockpiles left by dealers, some of which are offered at attractive conditions.