Plenty of cars launched with fanfare in the 2010s and then quietly disappeared from showrooms, some after only a few years on sale. Their stories include weak demand, shifting buyer tastes and brand strategy changes. Here are twelve examples, ranging from compact sedans to a luxury plug-in coupe and a sport sedan.
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1. Dodge Dart: Fiat Platform, Short Run
The Dart debuted in spring 2012 on a Fiat platform as Dodge’s compact entry, but sales fell far short of the target, according to a roundup of 2016 discontinuations. Dodge announced in early 2016 that the car would be dropped.
The Dart shows how hard it is to win in the compact class with a late start. Used examples can be inexpensive, though shoppers should weigh the thin parts network that tends to follow a discontinued nameplate.
2. Buick Verano: Short-Lived Compact Luxury
Buick launched the compact Verano sedan in 2012, and sales peaked in 2013, according to a discontinuation roundup. The car was gone from the U.S. market after 2017, giving it a run of only about five years.
The Verano offered a quiet, upscale small sedan at a time when buyers were already drifting toward crossovers. Owners get a comfortable commuter, but the shrinking segment has left few direct rivals worth cross-shopping.
3. Cadillac ELR: Plug-In Coupe Flop
Priced at $76,000, the Volt-based two-seat coupe found just 2,800 buyers between 2014 and April 2016, when GM pulled the plug. That total is tiny for a car from a major luxury brand.
The price was the central problem, since it sat far above the car it was based on. Cadillac’s electrified coupe is now a curiosity, and a used one is far cheaper than it was new. Buyers should still confirm battery health and service history, since few shops have much experience with the car.
4. Chrysler 200: Super Bowl Star, Sales Slide
The sedan launched with Eminem’s Imported from Detroit Super Bowl ad, and U.S. sales reached 177,889 in 2015. After production ended on December 2, 2016, the sales record shows only 18,457 in 2017.
The collapse was swift for a car that had been selling well only two years earlier. Buyers today find a stylish sedan at modest prices, but the lack of a successor leaves long-term resale uncertain. Checking service records and any open recalls is wise before committing to one of these cars.
5. Hyundai Veloster: Quirky Three-Door Fades
The Hyundai Veloster arrived for the 2012 model year with an unusual three-door layout, and most versions were gone for 2022. That included the 201-horsepower turbo R-Spec, though the performance-focused N model stayed on.
The asymmetric body was memorable but compromised everyday practicality, and the segment for small hatchbacks continued to shrink. Used turbo models appeal to enthusiasts who want something different at a reasonable price. Shoppers should still check for maintenance history, since sporty small cars are often driven hard by earlier owners.
6. Mazda6: Sedan Out of Favor
Redesigned for 2014, the midsize sedan saw just over 16,000 sold in its final full year, and Mazda retired it after 2021. The nameplate had been sold in the U.S. since 2003.
The Mazda6 was praised for handling, which made its sales fade a reminder that driving enjoyment alone did not keep midsize sedans afloat. As a used buy, it remains a sound choice for drivers who value engagement over cargo space.
7. Honda Clarity: Three Powertrains, One Exit
Slow sales ended the plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions of the Honda Clarity in 2021, and the 89-mile Clarity Electric had been dropped a year earlier. A single nameplate had covered all three setups.
Offering three different technologies under one name may have spread demand thin. The plug-in hybrid is the version most likely to suit a used shopper, since fueling a hydrogen model is practical only in limited areas.
8. BMW i3: Tiny Electric Pioneer
Production of the compact electric BMW ended in July 2021, and its roughly 150-mile range had come to look short as rivals advanced. The i3 used a distinctive tall, narrow body.
The car was an early attempt at a premium urban electric vehicle. Used buyers get a city runabout with unusual design, but the limited range makes it a poor fit for long trips or highway-heavy commutes. Battery condition is the first thing to check on any used example.
9. Cadillac CT6: Flagship Sedan Retired
Cadillac’s flagship sedan sold just 3,117 in the U.S. in 2020, down from 10,542 in 2017, and production ended in February 2020. The Detroit-Hamtramck plant was then retooled for the Hummer EV.
The CT6 was a large, comfortable sedan, yet the market had moved on from that kind of car, and Cadillac chose to use the factory for an electric truck instead. The 550-horsepower CT6-V is especially scarce, with 504 built for 2019 and 411 for 2020.
10. Fiat 500: Fiat Leaves America Again
The little hatchback reintroduced Fiat to the U.S. after 26 years away, but the company announced its exit in September 2019 and the car was discontinued. The electric 500e reportedly lost $14,000 per car.
The 500 offered urban charm and a loyal following, particularly in Abarth form. Shoppers can find affordable used examples, though reliability and dealer support deserve a careful check before buying. The electric version’s reported loss per car helps explain why the company stepped away.
11. Hyundai Ioniq: Efficient Hybrid Liftback
The Ioniq arrived for 2017, and the Blue Hybrid version was rated at 58 mpg. Hyundai ended production in July 2022, and total U.S. sales were about 60,354 through January 2021.
The Ioniq offered hybrid, plug-in and electric versions in one body, which was ahead of its time. It remains a frugal used option, especially for commuters who want high mileage without a large purchase price. Because Hyundai has ended production, buyers should expect the brand to keep supplying parts for a time but not new variants.
12. Kia Stinger: Sport Sedan Bows Out
The 368-horsepower twin-turbo V6 sport sedan came out in 2018, and Kia confirmed that production would end after the 2023 model year with a 1,000-unit Tribute Edition. The limited run was offered globally.
The Stinger delivered rear-drive character and strong performance at a price below many German rivals. It now looks like a future collectible, especially the final Tribute cars with their small production number. Buyers wanting the full experience should look for the V6 version, which carries the output figure that defined the model.
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