14 Cars Axed in 2012
As 2012 winds to an end, AutoGuide looks back at all the vehicles that received the axe this year, some that will be missed, while others surely won’t be.
Starting it off is the Acura ZDX, a crossover that had a very tough time breaking into the market. Priced at around $51,815 including delivery, the ZDX was hardly a hot seller for the Japanese automaker, and it’s clear that Acura can’t wait to move forward from it.
The Dodge Caliber’s production actually ended last year, which meant we said good bye to the compact this year as Dodge replaced it with the new Dart. Priced from $17,380, the Caliber’s outdated styling and poor fuel economy is surely not missed. Especially given the Dart’s surprisingly good style and performance.
SEE MORE: 2013 Dodge Dart Video Review
This year, we bid farewell to American Suzuki which means the Kizashi sedan, SX4 crossover and Grand Vitara SUV will be disappearing from our shores, slowly but surely. The Japanese automaker is still successful in its home country of Japan, and will continue manufacturing motorcycles, marine products, and all-terrain vehicles in America.
When the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe debuted at the 2012 New York Auto Show, the Korean automaker confirmed that the Veracruz had been replaced. Priced from $28,345, the Veracruz mid-size crossover SUV never caught on in the US like the Santa Fe did. As a result Hyundai will offer a two-row Santa Fe Sport model as well as a three-row Santa Fe Long Wheelbase.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse sports car had a fantastic run, but its 22-year production ended at the end of 2011, marking 2012 the first year that a new Eclipse didn’t roll off the assembly line. It was the best-selling Japanese sports car in the last 20 years with over 980,000 units sold. Priced under $20,000, the Eclipse was an affordable sports car for automotive enthusiasts, though its last-generation model could be debated if it was really a sports car at all.
Poor sales of the Lexus HS 250h forced the Japanese automaker to give it the axe this year. Priced from $37,030, the HS model never caught on like the CT 200h has. In fact, only 2,864 units sold in 2011. A slow seller at the start, with the CT 200h priced almost $8,000 cheaper, it’s no surprise buyers are opting for the CT instead.
And then there’s the introduction of the 2013 Lexus ES 300h, which surely would have cannibalized even more sales of the HS 250h had it continued production.
More proof that America just isn’t fond of wagon models, the Mercedes-Benz R-Class got the axe earlier this year. Starting from $52,690, the R-Class wagon sold just 300 units through the month of March before the German automaker decided to stop selling it in America. Production will continue however through 2015, as demand in China, Mexico, and Canada still warrant supply.
Making way for the new Mazda CX-5, the Japanese automaker discontinued its CX-7 SUV. Though it was competitively priced from $22,190, the CX-5 replacement has more cargo space and overall interior volume despite being smaller and more sporty.
Joining the Eclipse, Mitsubishi gave its Galant a quiet funeral this year. After 13 years as a mid-size sedan in America priced from $21,899, the model never really competed against the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, or Nissan Altima. Mitsubishi aims to focus on smaller vehicles and crossovers for the future.
With General Motors focusing on its next-generation of full-size pickups based on its new platform, the Avalanche will be a victim in the new lineup. Priced from $35,980, the Avalanche was quite popular when it first debuted, but sales declined over the subsequent years. High gas prices and the general availability of crew-cab trucks attributed to the Avalanche’s ultimate demise.
Reports of Daimler losing almost half-a-million for each Maybach sold, the ultra-luxury brand got the axe this year and was officially proclaimed dead. With the Type 57 priced from $376,300 to $416,200 while the Type 62 ranged from $427,700 to $467,600, Maybach models boasted a hefty price tag without a real selling point. Dealers were granted up to $100,000 in cash rebates to get rid of the remaining inventory this year.
Earlier this year, Kia confirmed that the Sedona minivan had reached the end of its life cycle. Its dated styling was a big reason for its cancellation, though Kia did state that the minivan market is one it wishes to stay in. Priced from $24,900, the Sedona was an affordable minivan option on the market, but with the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna getting major styling changes, the Sedona had no place in the market. It’s still rumored that Kia is simply taking a hiatus as it prepares for a next-generation Sedona, but for now it’s automotive history.
After six years on the market, Volvo confirmed that the C30 will cease production at year’s end with the Swedish automaker stating that the entry-level hatchback had done its job attracting new customers to the brand. Priced from $25,500, the hatchback was certainly an attractive option on the market, but it had only sold 2,000 units through September.
The Lexus LFA didn’t exactly get the axe this year, but its limited production run of just 500 units has been completed. The supercar from the Japanese automaker undoubtedly garnered plenty of attention over the recent years, with its technology living on in future Lexus models. Priced from $375,000, the LFA is powered by a 4.8-liter, V10 with 552 hp and is truly a vehicle to lust after.
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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The picture is a Lancer, not a Galant
Test drove a ZDX once. It really was an abysmally bad car, though very surrounding and comfortable inside. You felt like you were in a high-tech spaceship... however... with the view that one would expect from inside a proper spaceship - nothing. Tiny, tiny windows, huge blindspots. I'd classify the car as downright dangerous, until self-driving cars with collision sensors all around them become the norm ;)