Every automotive discontinued in 2022

2021 was a hell of a yr for discontinuations, with Australian Design Rule 85/00 alone spelling the top of six completely different automobiles.

2022 was a lot quieter, with round half the variety of discontinued automobiles general, however there have been nonetheless some frequent themes.

ADR 85/00 successfully killed off a pair extra fashions, whereas some automobiles just like the Ford Focus ST have been formally discontinued as a result of provide points – an indication of the instances as clients wait months and typically even years to take supply of some automobiles and manufacturing stoppages proceed unabated.

But not each automaker’s cause for discontinuing a car is sort of as lower and dry as it could seem, and never each discontinued car will likely be fairly as missed as Ford’s sizzling hatch.

MORE: Every automotive discontinued in 2021
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Abarth 595C and Fiat 500C

The cute Fiat 500C cabriolet and its spicier Abarth 595C counterpart have been formally discontinued this yr, although their hatchback counterparts reside on.

The writing was arguably on the wall for the twosome final yr, when a spokesperson for Stellantis Australia stated the five hundred and 595 hatches can be up to date to fulfill the stricter ADR 85/00 side-impact rules, however conspicuously averted mentioning the drop-tops.

Fiat’s new 500e electrical metropolis automotive is arriving within the first half of 2023, and it’s accessible as a cabriolet in Europe. It stays to be seen whether or not this physique model will likely be provided within the native line-up, although the cabriolet was a long-standing member of the native line-up having first launched right here in 2010.

The lack of the 500C now means the Mazda MX-5 is Australia’s least expensive convertible, although its base value is greater than $10,000 larger. The 500C opened at $25,450 earlier than on-roads.

MORE: Updated Abarth right here this yr, Fiat and Abarth convertibles useless
MORE: 2023 Abarth 500e EV revealed, in Australia late 2023

Ford Fiesta ST

As in North America, in order for you a brand new Ford passenger automotive it’s good to purchase a two-door sports activities automotive. The Fiesta is taking a everlasting siesta, with international manufacturing ending in June 2023 after 47 years, and the Focus can also be being killed off domestically forward of the top of European manufacturing in 2025. By mid-decade, Ford of Europe’s line-up will consist completely of SUVs, utes and vans as properly, Mustang apart.

The Fiesta had seemingly defied the chances by returning for an additional technology in Australia in 2019. More cost-friendly Thai manufacturing had ended, forcing Ford Australia to import the car from Europe. That led to the Blue Oval bringing the Fiesta right here solely in cracking ST guise; Hyundai would subsequently observe swimsuit and import the i20 hatchback right here in sizzling N trim.

While some rivals exited the phase completely in Australia, now we have to commend Ford for persevering with to promote the Fiesta ST right here despite the fact that it was solely a low-volume mannequin. The official cause for its discontinuation domestically wasn’t sluggish gross sales, however quite ongoing provide points out of Europe.

The axing makes the up to date 2022 Fiesta ST – with its freshened seems and extra torque and tech – much more of a rarity on Australian roads.

Prospective Fiesta consumers are actually being successfully steered in the direction of the associated Puma, marketed as an SUV however providing genuinely partaking, car-like dealing with. But whereas a Puma ST is obtainable in Europe, it has but to reach domestically as a result of present lack of an automated transmission – a sizzling hatch being manual-only is one factor, however an SUV missing a slushbox is one other apparently.

MORE: Ford Fiesta manufacturing ending in 2023
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MORE: Ford Fiesta ST and Focus ST axed from Australian line-up

Ford Focus ST

The story of the fourth-generation Ford Focus in Australia is that of a loss of life by a thousand cuts.

Launched in 2019, the Focus had a comparatively wide selection of hatchback variants plus a single wagon. But then the price-leader Ambiente hatch was killed, with the Trend and Titanium hatches and ST-Line wagon killed for 2021.

The ST-Line and Active hatches have been axed for 2022, however Ford dedicated to bringing the mid-life replace mannequin to Australia in ST and ST X guises.

Alas, the best-laid plans usually go awry, and provide chain points hit the Focus. Specifically, the up to date mannequin’s bigger 13.2-inch touchscreen operating Sync4 relied on elements from war-ravaged Ukraine, and Ford Australia stated it wasn’t serious about settling for the smaller 8.0-inch display screen operating Sync3.

Ford secured a cargo of an extra 40 STs, however was compelled to succeed in out to a lot of order-holders to inform them their sizzling hatches wouldn’t be coming in any case.

The lack of the Focus ST and the approaching discontinuation of the Renault Megane R.S. Trophy will see us lose two of probably the most partaking choices in a phase that’s surprisingly abuzz with exercise, whilst gross sales of electrical automobiles and SUVs proceed to rise.

MORE: Ford Fiesta ST and Focus ST axed from Australian line-up

Hyundai Ioniq

It might need appeared like a Korean model of a Toyota Prius or second-generation Honda Insight, however the Hyundai Ioniq was noteworthy for 2 causes.

It was Hyundai’s first electrical car in Australia, arriving in 2018 and beating the Kona Electric to our shores by a number of months, and it unusually provided a selection of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains.

The latter was a feat matched solely by the Kia Niro, which additionally went into manufacturing in 2016 however didn’t arrive right here till May 2021. And but, regardless of the delay, the Niro instantly outsold the Ioniq – the Kia logged 742 gross sales, the Hyundai 484.

Perhaps it was the SUV physique model that resonated higher with consumers. Toyota Prius gross sales, for instance, had fallen off a cliff by 2021, although it had showroom competitors from a variety of hybrid SUVs. Ioniq gross sales have been steadier, although even in its finest yr – its final – it recorded simply over 700 gross sales. The Niro may finish this yr with twice the variety of gross sales.

All up, Hyundai bought round 2500 Ioniqs throughout its run in Australia. But sluggish gross sales aren’t the rationale for its axing, with the plug as an alternative being pulled on the Ioniq as a result of its international discontinuation.

The Ioniq sub-brand has the quite extra thrilling Ioniq 5 EV on supply now plus the slinky Ioniq 6 sedan quickly, however in any other case Hyundai’s newest electrified fashions have come within the form of SUVs.

The next-generation Kona will come right here in each hybrid and electrical guises, a Santa Fe Hybrid arrived this yr, and plug-in hybrid variations of it and the Tucson – plus a hybrid model of the latter – can be found abroad. We anticipate the Kona Hybrid to handily outsell the Ioniq, provide allowing, just by advantage of its trendier form.

MORE: Hyundai Ioniq axed, as Ioniq model goes EV-only

Jeep Cherokee

On the floor, the outgoing Ford Focus and Jeep Cherokee would seem to have little in frequent, aside from their use of long-running nameplates and platforms developed initially for European-market fashions.

Like the Focus, nevertheless, gross sales of the Jeep Cherokee in recent times have been properly off volumes only a few years in the past. Much as Ford did, Jeep systematically lower down the native KL Cherokee vary till nothing was left – the turbo-diesel was axed a number of years in the past, the four-cylinder petrol final yr, after which lastly the Limited and Trailhawk this yr.

Shortly thereafter, Jeep confirmed your complete Cherokee line can be axed.

Jeep is ending international right-hand drive manufacturing of the mannequin, although left-hand drive manufacturing will proceed for North America and South Korea. But even within the US, gross sales of the ageing mid-sized SUV have been declining, if not fairly to the identical pathetic nadir as in Australia.

The Cherokee, regardless of its established nameplate, had grow to be one of many worst-selling automobiles in its phase. Last yr, Jeep bought simply 382 Cherokees in Australia. The solely mid-sized SUVs it outsold have been the Citroen C5 Aircross (58 gross sales), Peugeot 5008 (189) and SsangYong Korando (353).

That’s remarkably poor for a car competing within the second highest-volume phase in Australia, from a model that specialises in SUVs, and which was posting gross sales of over 6000 items in 2015. Jeep’s international CEO Christian Meunier conceded earlier this yr that the Cherokee was “getting less and less competitive in the very competitive segment”.

Blame a scarcity of updates. Despite providing a V6 – the final in its phase – and a variant with real off-road chops, a minimum of for a unibody crossover, the Cherokee hadn’t obtained an replace since 2018 and it confirmed. Jeep has discontinued it simply months earlier than what would have been its tenth birthday.

A substitute for the Cherokee is predicted to debut earlier than 2025 and supply an electrical powertrain. While it hasn’t been formally confirmed for Australia, Mr Meunier stated nearly all of future Jeeps will likely be engineered for right-hand drive.

MORE: Jeep ending right-hand drive Cherokee manufacturing, Australian inventory nearly gone
MORE: Electric Jeep Cherokee substitute anticipated by 2025

LDV G10 individuals mover

We haven’t pushed the petrol-powered LDV MIFA but, however we have already got an excellent feeling it’s a greater individuals mover than the G10.

One want solely take a look at the checklist of normal security gear within the MIFA, which incorporates ahead and reverse autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise management and entrance, front-side and full-length curtain airbags, amongst different options.

In distinction, the G10 had a pair of airbags up entrance and… that’s about it. Oh, and it had a mediocre three-star ANCAP score from 2015.

We may overlook some flaws within the G10 contemplating its sharp pricing – it began at round $35k drive-away, round $16,000 lower than a base Kia Carnival. But security efficiency shouldn’t be one thing we’re prepared to miss, significantly not in one thing designed to hold as much as 9 occupants.

All up, 5164 examples have been bought throughout its 2015-22 run. We’re unhappy to see the individuals mover phase proceed to shrink, contemplating how versatile a physique model this may be, however that is one car we’re comfortable to see the again of.

MORE: LDV G10 individuals mover axed, substitute coming

Mitsubishi Express

ANCAP’s choice to award the Mitsubishi Express a zero-star security score was controversial, with some observers praising the security authority for testing a preferred car and others calling the transfer complicated.

How, some requested, may the Express have a decrease security score than its predecessor which folded like an inexpensive card desk in crash testing? Why, others requested, is there such a give attention to lively security gear ranges as an alternative of the elemental crash worthiness of a car?

The FCAI referred to as ANCAP’s choice to award its first zero-star score complicated, noting the associated Renault Trafic had a score from sister authority Euro NCAP from 2015.

The Express was examined below the stricter 2020-22 ANCAP testing protocols, and ANCAP justified testing it as a result of it was technically a brand new mannequin, even when it was merely a rebadge of an older product, and the Trafic’s Euro NCAP score was from earlier than ANCAP’s harmonisation of its scores with that organisation.

Mitsubishi discontinued the Express only a yr after the fracas and two years after it reintroduced the established nameplate on a rebadged Renault. The official cause was as a result of international enterprise and provide chain points, however you’d be forgiven for considering the corporate actually simply needed to eliminate this PR albatross.

Despite the zero-star score, anathema to organisations that require five-star scores for his or her fleets, the Express nonetheless managed to promote decently. It wasn’t far off the associated Trafic in 2021 (1780 gross sales vs. 2093) and outsold the Peugeot Expert and the LDV V80, which has a three-star ANCAP score from 2013 and would nearly definitely carry out worse if re-tested below ANCAP’s present protocols.

All up, Mitsubishi bought 3815 Express vans over what was successfully a truncated two-year run. The model has as soon as once more departed the van market in Australia.

MORE: Mitsubishi Express axed, remaining deliveries by finish of 2022

Suzuki Baleno

Suzuki formally confirmed it was axing the Baleno in July, after conspicuous silence on the prospect of the up to date mannequin coming to Australia.

Though the ultimate batch arrived in May, year-to-date the Baleno remains to be the second best-selling car in its phase, if properly behind the dominant MG 3.

Once once more, ADR 85/00, a security regulation with no counterpart but in markets like Europe, is responsible. The up to date mannequin revealed in India, the place the Baleno is constructed, can’t be bought right here because it received’t meet these requirements, and can as an alternative be bought on the sub-continent and in markets like Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

So goes one in all Australia’s least expensive and hottest mild automobiles, although Suzuki will nonetheless have an entrant on this phase with the Swift, a dearer car however one designed particularly for Europe and due to this fact providing extra security gear.

The Baleno had been provided in Europe however was discontinued as a result of sluggish gross sales a number of years in the past, indicating a transparent desire there for the Swift. But right here in Australia, the Baleno year-to-date is greater than 2000 items forward of the Swift regardless of a extra restricted mannequin vary.

Stronger provide in 2023 may assist the Swift carry out higher available on the market, and the shortage of a rival throughout the showroom flooring may additionally develop gross sales whilst the sunshine automotive phase declines.

The Baleno was one other returning nameplate, with Suzuki dusting off the acquainted moniker in 2016 shortly earlier than doing the identical with the Ignis. This time round, the Baleno competed within the mild automotive phase as an alternative of the small automotive phase – although it was bigger than the Swift – and was provided solely as a five-door hatch, as an alternative of a sedan, wagon or three-door hatch.

Suzuki discontinued the top-spec GLX Turbo in 2019, leaning into the Baleno’s positioning as a extra budget-friendly possibility for mild automotive consumers. Despite the shortage of more and more frequent autonomous emergency braking, Baleno gross sales remained robust. All up, Suzuki bought simply over 21,000 examples in Australia – its final yr was its finest by way of gross sales.

MORE: Suzuki Baleno discontinued, no substitute for common mild automotive

Toyota Prius

We’ll miss out on the horny new fifth-generation Toyota Prius, and we will put a lot of the blame on the controversially styled fourth-generation mannequin.

Though it was extra aerodynamic and fuel-efficient than its predecessor, to not point out higher to drive because of its new TNGA underpinnings, the fourth-generation Prius – launched in 2016 – bought poorly.

While Toyota was promoting upwards of 3000 Priuses yearly within the late 2000s, its gross sales took a success within the early 2010s, seemingly as a result of introduction of a hybrid model of the Camry. The bigger sedan could not have been as environment friendly, however it was extra conservatively styled and – on the time – in-built Australia.

If Toyota had anticipated the 2016 redesign to reinvigorate gross sales for its Prius line, they have been in for a impolite awakening: gross sales dipped barely that yr to 415, after which continued to slip yearly thereafter. In 2021, simply 77 examples of the hybrid hatch have been bought right here.

The Prius by now needed to cope with in-house competitors not solely from the Camry hybrid, but additionally from electrified variations of the Yaris Cross, C-HR and RAV4 as Toyota continued to proliferate hybrids all through its line-up. It’s clear shoppers have been prepared to sacrifice a little bit of gasoline economic system for a extra crowd-pleasing exterior design, whereas the Prius’ comparatively excessive value – a minimum of in relation to the Camry hybrid – seemingly didn’t assist issues.

Australia isn’t the one market the place Prius gross sales have declined, however paltry volumes seem to have killed the enterprise case for bringing the brand new mannequin right here. That’s a crying disgrace as not solely is it higher wanting, it’s additionally extra highly effective and boasts an extended EV driving vary in plug-in hybrid guise.

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