Changes in the automotive industry, manufacturers' efforts to adapt to market demands, and the implementation of new technologies are causing the discontinuation and renewal of car models. This process aims to maintain companies' competitiveness and meet the changing tastes of consumers.
Redaksiya, citing Unian, reports that U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies have also affected some car models. For example, the Volvo S90 model, manufactured in China and subject to high tariffs imposed by the U.S. leader's administration, will no longer be offered in the U.S. market, though it will still be available in other countries.
Additionally, Renault Group and Ford Motor Company have announced a strategic partnership to develop two electric vehicles under the Ford brand on Renault's Ampere platform. This agreement is aimed at expanding Ford's electric vehicle offerings for European consumers and should increase the competitiveness of both companies in the European market. The premium Infiniti brand has also faced a significant decline in demand for its vehicles in recent years. Consequently, the manufacturer plans to completely rethink its model range, discontinuing production of the QX50 and QX55 crossovers.
According to experts, this partnership is part of Ford's new strategy for the European market and will allow both automakers to share development and production costs in an increasingly competitive environment. The first model is expected to appear in showrooms in early 2028. Many manufacturers are regularly reviewing their car ranges, discontinuing models that are no longer cost-effective for various reasons. By 2026, the production of many car models will cease.
Some models will be discontinued to make way for new generations. Specifically, the Kia Telluride crossover will receive a new generation in 2027, while the Porsche Boxster/Cayman sports cars will become all-electric for the first time in 2026. The reason for discontinuing the Ford Escape is the brand's focus on producing electric vehicles. For the same reason, the Lincoln Corsair, which shares many components with the Ford Escape, will also be discontinued in 2026.
Furthermore, some cars are being discontinued as part of the "optimization" of the model range. For instance, the Audi A4, BMW X4, and Toyota bZ4X will be discontinued to avoid competing with other models from their respective brands. Due to declining demand, production of the Chevrolet Malibu, Subaru Legacy, Acura TLX, Cadillac XT4, Cadillac XT6, Mercedes-Benz EQB, Lexus RC and RC F, Volvo S60, and Audi Q8 e-tron models is also planned to be halted. The once popular Kia Soul is also slated for discontinuation due to a sharp decrease in sales in recent years. This space will be occupied by other compact Kia crossovers.