As drivers welcome in the new year, some of Britain’s favourite vehicles may start to disappear from roads as major brands stop manufacturing popular models.
The past 12 months have been a whirlwind for manufacturers around the world as they deal with the move to electrification, increased competition from China and dwindling sales of new vehicles.
Further changes are expected to be seen in 2025 as brands look to cut particular models from their lineups in favour of cheaper and more efficient vehicles.
After 27 years of production, Ford is expected to stop manufacturing its world-famous Focus model, with suggestions it could end at the Saarlouis plant in Germany this November.
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Production of the Ford Focus is expected to end in 2025
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Speaking in 2022, Stuart Rowley, head of Ford of Europe, said an additional model at Saarlouis was “not in its planning cycle” and that the brand was “seeking alternative opportunities”.
The German brand has confirmed that it will be moving forward with its goal of becoming an electric-only brand, although it recently pushed back its 2030 goal.
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, said the 2030 deadline was “too ambitious”, with the brand delaying the release of new electric vehicles alongside this decision.
Hyundai also cut back on some of its operations with the culling of its hot hatches with the i20N and i30N being removed from production.
Hyundai ended production of its hot hatches to move towards an all-electric future
HYUNDAI
A company spokesperson said: “Production of the ICE N models has ceased for the European market starting from February.”
This maintains the company’s commitment to offer a “zero-tailpipe-emission line-up” by 2035 and be 100 per cent carbon neutral by 2045.
Some of the most desirable cars were also placed on the chopping block, showing that even the ultra-wealthy are not spared from having to buy their ideal car second-hand.
In May, French-based brand Bugatti confirmed that it had completed production of its Chiron hypercar after eight years of production. There are still models available on the market, although this may set drivers back around £3.5million.
The Bugatti Chiron ended production in May last year
BUGATTI
Jaguar also took drastic steps in 2024 by completely overhauling its historic brand identity to make a bold shift to its new “copy nothing” moniker.
It cut its entire line-up to just one vehicle by ending production of the XE, XF, F-Type, hybrid E-Pace and electric I-Pace in 2024 prior to its rebrand.
The overhaul marked one of the most controversial rebrands in automotive history as the brand prepares for the switch to being an electric-only brand.
At a glitzy event during Miami Art Week in November, Jaguar unveiled the Type 00 concept, which would use the brand’s dedicated electric platform with a 478-mile battery range.
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Jaguar’s new rebrand was met with mixed responses from car enthusiasts
JAGUAR
Adrian Mardell, chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Our journey is already underway, guided by our original ethos to copy nothing – and the results will be nothing short of spectacular.”
Jaguar is set to launch three new electric vehicles in 2026 with hopes its “exuberant modernism” will stand out in an “increasingly homogenous EV market”.
