As 2017 draws to a close, we take a look back at ten significant vehicles that were discontinued in South Africa during the year.
Of course, other models were also axed over the past 12 months (along with complete brands, such as Chevrolet and Dodge, although we’ll ignore these for now), but we’ve decided to pick out the following ten as some of the most significant. Take note that we’ve excluded discontinued models that were effectively replaced (such as the BMW 5 Series GT that found itself succeeded by the 6 Series GT).
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
With the popularity of MPVs continuing to wane, BMW SA opted to stop importing the front-wheel-drive Active Tourer, leaving the local arm of the Munich-based automaker with seven fewer derivatives in its 2 Series range.
Volkswagen Golf SV
Like the Active Tourer above, the Volkswagen Golf SV found itself on the chopping block after failing to make much of an impact on the local MPV segment, despite pricing that undercut the likes of the BMW and Mercedes-Benz B-Class.
Ford Fusion
The typical South African sedan buyer still seems to prefer a German badge over, well, anything else. And that’s at least part of the reason the Fusion seemed destined to fail locally, proving time and again to be Ford’s toughest sell.
Mazda MX-5 roadster
The world’s best-selling roadster is no longer offered in South Africa. Yes, the soft-top version of the little rear-wheel-drive MX-5 has been cut from Mazda Southern Africa’s official price-list, while the auto-only MX-5 RF curiously remains.
Volkswagen Scirocco
Interestingly, the Scirocco’s demise is a global rather than merely local one, with Volkswagen confirming the end of the line for the third-generation, front-wheel-drive coupé…
Nissan Sentra
Back in 2013, the Sentra badge returned to South Africa after an absence of about eight years. Three years later, though, the Nissan sedan has again been pulled, after struggling to find a foothold in the local market (the smaller Almera, though, has proven popular with rental buyers).
Suzuki SX4
When the Vitara was added to Suzuki Auto SA’s line-up, the SX4 was forced to play second fiddle in the crossover stakes. Interestingly, though, the local arm of the Japanese automaker said that its decision to scrap the SX4 is “not cast in stone” and that it could change “dependent on spec available”.
Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen SA discontinued all Beetle variants before adding 50 examples of the limited-edition Beetle R-Line derivative. Now that the special R-Line model has come and gone, the Bug has reached the end of the line locally.
Ford B-Max
Production of the B-Max reportedly ceased in September, but sales of Ford’s mini-MPV – with its hinged front and sliding rear doors – started flagging in South Africa earlier in 2017. Ford fans looking for a car this size, it seems, prefer the Fiesta and EcoSport…
Mitsubishi Mirage
Mitsubishi’s frankly forgettable Mirage quietly left the SA stage this year, as the local arm of the Japanese brand turned its attention to updating its SUV range and adding the new Triton bakkie.
Also read:
- 5 vehicles we think would sell well in South Africa
- 7 most powerful manual cars you can buy new in SA
- 5 torquiest SUVs you can buy new in South Africa
- 10 cheapest new diesel-powered passenger cars in SA
- 10 cheapest dual-clutch vehicles in South Africa…
- 11 cheapest six-cylinder passenger vehicles in SA
- 8 most expensive four-cylinder vehicles in SA…
- 7 most powerful sedans on SA’s new vehicle market
- 7 most powerful SUVs on SA’s new vehicle market
- 5 most expensive double-cab bakkies in South Africa
- 9 dirtiest hatchbacks on SA’s new car market
- 5 biggest engines on South Africa’s new car market
- 7 most expensive SUVs on SA’s new vehicle market
- 5 cheapest rear-wheel-drive cars in South Africa
- 7 most fuel-efficient double-cab bakkies in SA
- 6 most powerful naturally aspirated new cars in SA
- 5 cheapest new cars in SA with 200 kW or more
- 5 bakkies we think South Africa would go crazy for
- 5 of the most blatant copycat cars out of China
- 5 big bakkies South Africa might want but can’t have
- 5 cheapest automatics on SA’s new vehicle market
