Car makers regularly refresh their brand lineups to align them to changing customer needs and regulatory environments. 2024 saw a number of popular car brands being left behind after being discontinued in 2023. The biggest casualty is the American muscle car market that saw popular muscle cars under both the Stellantis and GM brands being chopped in favour of an electrified lineup. Here are 8 cars that were discontinued and did not see 2024:
Audi TT
Production of Audi TT (which got its name from the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, a challenging arena of speed most commonly associated with motorcycle racing) ended in November 2023 after an incredible 25 year run across 3 generations. Cumulatively, 662,762 units of the model were produced.
Chevrolet Camaro
American car manufacturer, General Motors (GM), ended production of this iconic American muscle car in December 2023. This is is the second time the brand is being discontinued and the hope is it will be revived again to a 6th generation. According to Chevrolet, “This is not the end of Camaro’s story.”
Chrysler 300
Stellantis ended production of Chrysler 300 on 8th December 2023 with a velvet read 300c model. The car has suffered from years of poor sales although there are plans by the manufacturer to introduce an EV in its place. A Chrysler Airflow EV concept car has already been showcased as a preview.
Dodge Challenger
The last Dodge Challenger, a Pitch-Black Demon 170, rolled off the Brampton assembly line on December 22, 2023, ending a more than 50-year run of this iconic American car. The Challenger is one of three cars Stellantis announced in August 2022 were being discontinued due to tightening emissions requirements. The others are Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300.
Dodge Charger
As one of the three unfortunate brands to be discontinued by Stellantis, Dodge Charger name is making a comeback in an EV. The EV is intended to be the successor to both the Charger and Challenger. The discontinued Charger had been in production in different forms since 1966 across eight generations.
Mercedes-Benz CLS
The CLS was based on the E-Class platform and sat between the E-Class and S-Class. Mercedes created it to compete with the likes of BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, Porsche Panamera and Audi A7. Production ended in August 2023 after 19 years to pave way for the 6th generation of the E-Class, the W214.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet
The two-door C-Class models, the C-Class Coupe and the C-Class Cabriolet, were also discontinued in 2023 as part of efforts to trim the C-Class and streamline the entire Mercedes lineup. The C-Class will now consist of only sedans.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Class Coupe and Cabriolet
The same case was replicated in the E-Class lineup. The two door models, the E-Class coupe and the E-Class cabriolet, were discontinued in 2023 leaving only sedans as models in the lineup. The C-Class and E-Class two doors have been replaced by the Mercedes Benz CLE.
