zz 9 cars that disappeared in 2014# Automobile - 车轮上的传奇
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Last year was extremely good for the American car industry. Sales of light
vehicles rose by 5.9% to more than 16.5 million on the back of low gas
prices, consumer-friendly interest rates, and an improving domestic economy.
Yet, for some models, 2014 was not a banner year. Instead, these nine models
were discontinued in 2014. Four of these models were manufactured by one of
Honda Motor Company's (HMC) brands, Acura or Honda. Other brands that cut
at least one model from their lineups were Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU)
Chrysler, Dodge Nissan, Scion, and Toyota (TM).
For the most part, the discontinued models were hardly big names. As of 2013
— the last time that these now discontinued cars were updated for the
newest model year — only one sold more than 25,000 vehicles. By comparison,
top-selling car models such as the Toyota Camry usually record annual
totals well into the hundreds of thousands. Four of the nine models on the
discontinued car list recorded less than 10,000 cars sold in 2013.
In some cases, cars were discontinued by their manufacturer in order to
promote a more focused lineup of cars and eliminate cannibalization of sales
. According to Michael Cooperman, director of communications for TrueCar, "
product strategy has dictated a lot of the changes." He cited the Acura TL
and TSX as examples, which were both phased out to make way for the new TLX.
The Dodge Avenger was also eliminated by Dodge's parent company, Fiat
Chrysler Automobiles, in an effort to consolidate its critical midsize sedan
offerings into a single model, the redesigned Chrysler 200. Cooperman added
that the 200 was a better product, and thus more competitive, in the
midsize segment.
In some instances, the discontinued cars were only ever a niche product. The
Toyota FJ Cruiser, for example, was intended to appeal to drivers who enjoy
off-roading and featured a unique retro look. The Nissan Cube, too, was
meant to evoke a lounge atmosphere, according to the company's own press
materials, and it featured odd design features such as an asymmetric back
window.
Two hybrids were also discontinued in 2014, the Honda Insight and Acura ILX
Hybrid. Of these cars, Cooperman added, "engine technology has become so
good that the difference between the fuel economy you can get from a regular
engine versus what you can get from a hybrid isn't that [large]." He added
that this was cutting into the longer-term savings from choosing a hybrid
over a conventional car.
Based on information provided by auto industry information company TrueCar,
24/7 Wall St. reviewed nine cars discontinued following the 2014 model year.
Cars had to have at least 1,000 sales in 2013 — the last calendar year in
which their manufacturers updated the car. Starting manufacturer's suggested
retail prices (MSRPs) are from company websites as well as from Edmunds.com
. Sales figures are provided for both 2013 and 2014 and come from TrueCar as
well as from individual manufacturers' websites. To be considered, a car
had to represent a standalone model or be sufficiently differentiated from
other trims available. For example, we chose to include the Chrysler 200
convertible, which was discontinued, but not the BMW 3-Series convertible,
which was effectively redesigned and renamed as the 4-Series convertible.
Here are cars that disappeared in 2014.
1. Dodge Avenger
> Segment: Midsize sedan
> 2014 sales: 51,705
> 2013 sales: 93,842
> Starting MSRP: $16,495
Last year marked the final year for the Dodge Avenger, the single most
popular vehicle by sales to be discontinued in 2014. The fact that Fiat
Chrysler Automobiles was phasing out the Avenger was hardly a surprise —
the move had been prearranged years in advance. The decision to cut the
model, which had total sales of 93,842 units in 2013, could prove to be
prudent. In discontinuing the Avenger, the carmaker has been able to focus
on promoting the redesigned Chrysler 200, concentrating its offerings into a
single, more competitive vehicle in the critical mid-size sedan market.
MORE: America's best and worst run school systems
2. Acura TL
> Segment: Luxury midsize sedan
> 2014 sales: 10,616
> 2013 sales: 24,318
> Starting MSRP: $36,030
The Acura TL is one of two models the carmaker is phasing out as it
consolidates its sedan offerings. Sales of the TL were not especially bad in
2013, when Acura sold more than 24,000 units. However, following the
introduction of the TLX, the model that is replacing the TL, sales dropped
to just 10,616 units in 2014. In December, with the TL about to disappear
for good, Acura dealers sold just 76 units. Acura says on its website of the
now-retired TL: "While you won't see them in showrooms any longer, you will
see them on the road for many years to come."
3. Acura TSX
> Segment: Luxury sedan
> 2014 sales: 6,287
> 2013 sales: 17,484
> Starting MSRP: $30,635
The TSX is the second Acura model being replaced by the TLX. Karl Brauer,
automotive analyst and editor at Kelley Blue Book, wrote in Forbes last year
, "[A]fter nearly a decade of sedan duds Acura desperately needs the TLX to
succeed." The TSX was hardly a strong seller before being phased out. Sales
totalled 17,484 units in 2013 before dropping 64% last year. In December,
TSX sales totalled just 17 vehicles.
MORE: The most dangerous states in America
4. Toyota FJ Cruiser
> Segment: Midsize SUV
> 2014 sales: 14,718
> 2013 sales: 13,131
> Starting MSRP: $27,680
Toyota is the world's largest automaker by sales. It also makes a number of
the nation's most popular cars, including the Camry, Corolla, and RAV4. The
FJ Cruiser, however, was not among the company's top sellers. The model,
which the company says "was developed as a basic, capable and affordable off
-roader aimed specifically at serious off-roaders looking to push the limits
," featured a retro look inspired by the company's Land Cruiser FJ40, a
1960s model. However, the FJ Cruiser was something of a niche product,
selling less than 15,000 vehicles in 2014.
5. Chrysler 200 Convertible
> Segment: Midsize convertible
> 2014 sales: 7,524 (Jan.-Oct.)
> 2013 sales: 10,423
> Starting MSRP: $27,950
When Chrysler released its 200 for the 2015 model year, it chose to
discontinue the model's convertible version to focus on the 200 sedan. The
Chrysler 200 represents Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' major push into the
highly competitive — and lucrative — mid-size car segment. However, sales
of the 200 stumbled in 2014, falling 4% to 117,363 vehicles. The model still
has a way to go to catch up to the segment's biggest players: Last year,
Toyota sold more than 428,000 Camrys and Honda Accord sales topped 388,000
units.
6. Scion xD
> Segment: Subcompact hatchback
> 2014 sales: 7,377
> 2013 sales: 9,005
> Starting MSRP: $16,690
Rumors of the demise of various Scion models have been around for years.
Last July, Automotive News wrote that Scion could replace its xB and kill
off its xD model and suggested that readers "expect euthanasia by the end of
2014" for the Scion iQ. According to Nancy Hubbell, communications manager
for Scion, "There is no 2015 xD and we are selling down our 2014 vehicles.
We haven't made any announcements on the discontinuation of other Scion
models." However, other models may still be on the chopping block
considering that Scion, which has struggled to build out a market for its
cars, recently announced it would launch three new models in the coming
years.
7. Nissan Cube
> Segment: Compact hatchback
> 2014 sales: 3,785
> 2013 sales: 5,461
> Starting MSRP: $16,900
When Nissan unveiled its car lineup for the 2015 model year, the Cube was
omitted, quietly signalling the end of one of America's most unconventional
cars. The Cube takes its name from its box-like shape. It features both an
asymmetrical rear window that wraps around the right side of the car as well
as, what Nissan calls, a "refrigerator-style rear door." However, the death
of the model is unlikely to hurt Nissan too badly. The automaker sold just
5,461 units in 2013 and just 3,785 last year, hardly significant for a
manufacturer with almost 1.4 million cars sold in the United States in 2014.
8. Honda Insight
> Segment: Hybrid hatchback
> 2014 sales: 3,965
> 2013 sales: 4,802
> Starting MSRP: $18,725
Last year, Honda opted to end production of the Insight, a relatively weak-
selling hybrid that competed against the better-selling Toyota Prius.
Insight sales totalled 4,802 units in 2013 and 3,965 units in 2014, versus
Prius sales of 234,228 units and 207,372 units during those same years.
However, there may still be a future for the Insight. Honda killed off the
model before, in 2006, only to bring it back a few years later. One problem
for the Insight may be the recent drop in gas prices, which could convince
many car buyers to reconsider buying a more expensive hybrid, and may halt
any plans to bring the brand back again.
9. Acura ILX Hybrid
> Segment: Hybrid compact sedan
> 2014 sales: 379
> 2013 sales: 1,461
> Starting MSRP: $35,495
Last July, Acura told Autoblog that it would discontinue the ILX Hybrid in
the United States. Acura said to the publication, "[W]e are streamlining the
ILX lineup to better align with customer demand." Demand for the car was
quite poor in recent years. Acura sold fewer than 1,500 ILX Hybrids in 2013,
a figure that dropped to just 379 last year. Sales of the Honda Civic
Hybrid, on which the ILX is based, were somewhat better, at more than 7,700
units and more than 5,000 units in the preceding two years, respectively.
However, hybrid sales for both models were still paltry when compared to
total sales for non-hybrid versions of each model.
vehicles rose by 5.9% to more than 16.5 million on the back of low gas
prices, consumer-friendly interest rates, and an improving domestic economy.
Yet, for some models, 2014 was not a banner year. Instead, these nine models
were discontinued in 2014. Four of these models were manufactured by one of
Honda Motor Company's (HMC) brands, Acura or Honda. Other brands that cut
at least one model from their lineups were Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU)
Chrysler, Dodge Nissan, Scion, and Toyota (TM).
For the most part, the discontinued models were hardly big names. As of 2013
— the last time that these now discontinued cars were updated for the
newest model year — only one sold more than 25,000 vehicles. By comparison,
top-selling car models such as the Toyota Camry usually record annual
totals well into the hundreds of thousands. Four of the nine models on the
discontinued car list recorded less than 10,000 cars sold in 2013.
In some cases, cars were discontinued by their manufacturer in order to
promote a more focused lineup of cars and eliminate cannibalization of sales
. According to Michael Cooperman, director of communications for TrueCar, "
product strategy has dictated a lot of the changes." He cited the Acura TL
and TSX as examples, which were both phased out to make way for the new TLX.
The Dodge Avenger was also eliminated by Dodge's parent company, Fiat
Chrysler Automobiles, in an effort to consolidate its critical midsize sedan
offerings into a single model, the redesigned Chrysler 200. Cooperman added
that the 200 was a better product, and thus more competitive, in the
midsize segment.
In some instances, the discontinued cars were only ever a niche product. The
Toyota FJ Cruiser, for example, was intended to appeal to drivers who enjoy
off-roading and featured a unique retro look. The Nissan Cube, too, was
meant to evoke a lounge atmosphere, according to the company's own press
materials, and it featured odd design features such as an asymmetric back
window.
Two hybrids were also discontinued in 2014, the Honda Insight and Acura ILX
Hybrid. Of these cars, Cooperman added, "engine technology has become so
good that the difference between the fuel economy you can get from a regular
engine versus what you can get from a hybrid isn't that [large]." He added
that this was cutting into the longer-term savings from choosing a hybrid
over a conventional car.
Based on information provided by auto industry information company TrueCar,
24/7 Wall St. reviewed nine cars discontinued following the 2014 model year.
Cars had to have at least 1,000 sales in 2013 — the last calendar year in
which their manufacturers updated the car. Starting manufacturer's suggested
retail prices (MSRPs) are from company websites as well as from Edmunds.com
. Sales figures are provided for both 2013 and 2014 and come from TrueCar as
well as from individual manufacturers' websites. To be considered, a car
had to represent a standalone model or be sufficiently differentiated from
other trims available. For example, we chose to include the Chrysler 200
convertible, which was discontinued, but not the BMW 3-Series convertible,
which was effectively redesigned and renamed as the 4-Series convertible.
Here are cars that disappeared in 2014.
1. Dodge Avenger
> Segment: Midsize sedan
> 2014 sales: 51,705
> 2013 sales: 93,842
> Starting MSRP: $16,495
Last year marked the final year for the Dodge Avenger, the single most
popular vehicle by sales to be discontinued in 2014. The fact that Fiat
Chrysler Automobiles was phasing out the Avenger was hardly a surprise —
the move had been prearranged years in advance. The decision to cut the
model, which had total sales of 93,842 units in 2013, could prove to be
prudent. In discontinuing the Avenger, the carmaker has been able to focus
on promoting the redesigned Chrysler 200, concentrating its offerings into a
single, more competitive vehicle in the critical mid-size sedan market.
MORE: America's best and worst run school systems
2. Acura TL
> Segment: Luxury midsize sedan
> 2014 sales: 10,616
> 2013 sales: 24,318
> Starting MSRP: $36,030
The Acura TL is one of two models the carmaker is phasing out as it
consolidates its sedan offerings. Sales of the TL were not especially bad in
2013, when Acura sold more than 24,000 units. However, following the
introduction of the TLX, the model that is replacing the TL, sales dropped
to just 10,616 units in 2014. In December, with the TL about to disappear
for good, Acura dealers sold just 76 units. Acura says on its website of the
now-retired TL: "While you won't see them in showrooms any longer, you will
see them on the road for many years to come."
3. Acura TSX
> Segment: Luxury sedan
> 2014 sales: 6,287
> 2013 sales: 17,484
> Starting MSRP: $30,635
The TSX is the second Acura model being replaced by the TLX. Karl Brauer,
automotive analyst and editor at Kelley Blue Book, wrote in Forbes last year
, "[A]fter nearly a decade of sedan duds Acura desperately needs the TLX to
succeed." The TSX was hardly a strong seller before being phased out. Sales
totalled 17,484 units in 2013 before dropping 64% last year. In December,
TSX sales totalled just 17 vehicles.
MORE: The most dangerous states in America
4. Toyota FJ Cruiser
> Segment: Midsize SUV
> 2014 sales: 14,718
> 2013 sales: 13,131
> Starting MSRP: $27,680
Toyota is the world's largest automaker by sales. It also makes a number of
the nation's most popular cars, including the Camry, Corolla, and RAV4. The
FJ Cruiser, however, was not among the company's top sellers. The model,
which the company says "was developed as a basic, capable and affordable off
-roader aimed specifically at serious off-roaders looking to push the limits
," featured a retro look inspired by the company's Land Cruiser FJ40, a
1960s model. However, the FJ Cruiser was something of a niche product,
selling less than 15,000 vehicles in 2014.
5. Chrysler 200 Convertible
> Segment: Midsize convertible
> 2014 sales: 7,524 (Jan.-Oct.)
> 2013 sales: 10,423
> Starting MSRP: $27,950
When Chrysler released its 200 for the 2015 model year, it chose to
discontinue the model's convertible version to focus on the 200 sedan. The
Chrysler 200 represents Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' major push into the
highly competitive — and lucrative — mid-size car segment. However, sales
of the 200 stumbled in 2014, falling 4% to 117,363 vehicles. The model still
has a way to go to catch up to the segment's biggest players: Last year,
Toyota sold more than 428,000 Camrys and Honda Accord sales topped 388,000
units.
6. Scion xD
> Segment: Subcompact hatchback
> 2014 sales: 7,377
> 2013 sales: 9,005
> Starting MSRP: $16,690
Rumors of the demise of various Scion models have been around for years.
Last July, Automotive News wrote that Scion could replace its xB and kill
off its xD model and suggested that readers "expect euthanasia by the end of
2014" for the Scion iQ. According to Nancy Hubbell, communications manager
for Scion, "There is no 2015 xD and we are selling down our 2014 vehicles.
We haven't made any announcements on the discontinuation of other Scion
models." However, other models may still be on the chopping block
considering that Scion, which has struggled to build out a market for its
cars, recently announced it would launch three new models in the coming
years.
7. Nissan Cube
> Segment: Compact hatchback
> 2014 sales: 3,785
> 2013 sales: 5,461
> Starting MSRP: $16,900
When Nissan unveiled its car lineup for the 2015 model year, the Cube was
omitted, quietly signalling the end of one of America's most unconventional
cars. The Cube takes its name from its box-like shape. It features both an
asymmetrical rear window that wraps around the right side of the car as well
as, what Nissan calls, a "refrigerator-style rear door." However, the death
of the model is unlikely to hurt Nissan too badly. The automaker sold just
5,461 units in 2013 and just 3,785 last year, hardly significant for a
manufacturer with almost 1.4 million cars sold in the United States in 2014.
8. Honda Insight
> Segment: Hybrid hatchback
> 2014 sales: 3,965
> 2013 sales: 4,802
> Starting MSRP: $18,725
Last year, Honda opted to end production of the Insight, a relatively weak-
selling hybrid that competed against the better-selling Toyota Prius.
Insight sales totalled 4,802 units in 2013 and 3,965 units in 2014, versus
Prius sales of 234,228 units and 207,372 units during those same years.
However, there may still be a future for the Insight. Honda killed off the
model before, in 2006, only to bring it back a few years later. One problem
for the Insight may be the recent drop in gas prices, which could convince
many car buyers to reconsider buying a more expensive hybrid, and may halt
any plans to bring the brand back again.
9. Acura ILX Hybrid
> Segment: Hybrid compact sedan
> 2014 sales: 379
> 2013 sales: 1,461
> Starting MSRP: $35,495
Last July, Acura told Autoblog that it would discontinue the ILX Hybrid in
the United States. Acura said to the publication, "[W]e are streamlining the
ILX lineup to better align with customer demand." Demand for the car was
quite poor in recent years. Acura sold fewer than 1,500 ILX Hybrids in 2013,
a figure that dropped to just 379 last year. Sales of the Honda Civic
Hybrid, on which the ILX is based, were somewhat better, at more than 7,700
units and more than 5,000 units in the preceding two years, respectively.
However, hybrid sales for both models were still paltry when compared to
total sales for non-hybrid versions of each model.
