Say goodbye to these 11 cars in South Africa
At least 11 cars have either been discontinued in South Africa in 2024 or are expected to be removed from showrooms by the end of the year.
This marks a period of transition in the automotive industry, with several brands making strategic decisions to replace older models or shift to new manufacturing hubs.
While new cars have been introduced to South African roads, a range of models have been pulled for reasons that vary from dwindling sales to shifting production strategies and changing consumer preferences.
One of the more significant changes comes from Citroen, which is undergoing a substantial overhaul of its lineup in South Africa.
The brand has moved away from importing vehicles from Europe and is now focusing on sourcing models from India.
This shift has resulted in the discontinuation of the European versions of the C3 and C3 Aircross, with new Indian-built models taking their place.
While these cars share the same names as their predecessors, their specifications are noticeably different, reflecting Citroen’s new direction in offering more affordable and locally relevant options.
In a similar vein, Honda has decided to drop its WR-X from the South African market.
The WR-X’s exit will make way for the Honda Elevate, a new compact SUV that offers a fresh take on the small SUV segment.
Honda is betting on the Elevate to capture a greater share of the market, appealing to customers with its updated features and modern design.
Another example of this shift is Mahindra’s decision to replace the XUV300 with the new XUV 3XO.
As Mahindra continues to expand its footprint in South Africa, it’s updating its range with more competitive, feature-packed models aimed at offering value for money, which the XUV 3XO represents.
By introducing newer models, Mahindra is catering to the growing demand for advanced tech and safety features in compact SUVs.
Volkswagen (VW) has also made notable adjustments to its offerings, discontinuing the entry-level Amarok bakkie.
VW’s decision was largely influenced by the arrival of newer, more sophisticated models in the Amarok range that offer better performance and features.
While the entry-level Amarok served the market well for years, VW is focusing on pushing more premium models that align with its broader brand strategy.
Other notable exits from the South African market include the Hyundai Kona, Nissan Qashqai, Jeep Renegade, Mazda BT-50, and Toyota C-HR.
For these models, the decision to pull them from showrooms was largely driven by declining sales.
As competition in their respective segments increased, these vehicles struggled to maintain a foothold in the market.
Manufacturers like Hyundai and Toyota are increasingly focusing on newer, more popular models that better align with customer demands for fuel efficiency, technology, and safety features.
Suzuki has discontinued the Vitara from its SUV lineup. It believes its newer models, such as the Fronx and Grand Vitara, provide better coverage for the SUV segment.
These new models bring advanced features and a more modern design, making the older Vitara somewhat redundant in Suzuki’s current lineup.
The company has shifted its focus toward these newer offerings to stay competitive in the highly saturated compact SUV market.
The discontinuation of these cars in South Africa reflects broader global trends in the automotive industry.
Brands are re-evaluating their lineups to better meet customer expectations, reduce costs, and incorporate the latest in technology and safety features.
As electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid models grow in popularity, many of the traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) models are being phased out or replaced by more fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly alternatives.
In some cases, as seen with Citroen and Mahindra, manufacturers are shifting production to lower-cost regions to maintain profitability while offering more affordable options to consumers.
As South Africa’s automotive landscape continues to evolve, consumers can expect to see more modern, tech-savvy cars taking over from older models, shaping a new era of motoring in the country.
11 cars being discontinued in South Africa in 2024 are listed below.
Citroen C3
Citroen C3 Aircross
Honda WR-V
Hyundai Kona
Jeep Renegade
Mahindra XUV300
Mazda BT-50
Nissan Qashqai
Suzuki Vitara
Toyota C-HR
VW Amarok 110kW
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