South Africa kissed these 24 cars goodbye in 24 months

 ·24 Dec 2024

Over the past 24 months, South Africa’s automotive landscape has undergone significant changes, with 24 vehicles discontinued by the end of 2024.

Beginning in early 2023, this wave of discontinuations has seen several beloved models phased out, reshaping the market and leaving a mix of surprise, adaptation, and evolution in its wake.

In 2023, South African motorists bid farewell to popular budget-friendly SUVs, including the Ford EcoSport, Suzuki Vitara Brezza, and Toyota Urban Cruiser.

These models were staples in the sub-R300,000 SUV segment, offering affordability and versatility that resonated with a wide audience.

News of their discontinuation sent ripples through the motoring community, as each had carved a niche in the local market.

However, their respective manufacturers swiftly introduced replacements.

Ford unveiled the Puma, Suzuki introduced the Grand Vitara, and Toyota launched a revamped Urban Cruiser.

While the new Urban Cruiser shares its predecessor’s name, it is built on an entirely new platform, emphasizing a fresh start rather than a direct continuation.

Other automakers also made notable exits.

BAIC discontinued the X25, while Mahindra retired the KUV100 and KUV500, narrowing its lineup.

Toyota bid adieu to the iconic FJ Cruiser, and Nissan removed the Almera, further diminishing the already limited pool of affordable sedans available locally.

Hyundai followed suit by phasing out the Atos, making the Grand i10 its new entry-level offering.

Toyota also replaced the Agya with the Vitz, which is now based on the Suzuki Celerio platform, reflecting an ongoing trend of platform sharing and strategic rebranding.

In 2024, the pace of change accelerated, with at least 12 models being discontinued in the first 11 months alone.

Subaru replaced the VX with the Crosstrek, and Kia confirmed the end of its Rio hatch production for right-hand-drive markets.

Citroën took a bold step by revamping its entire lineup, switching from European imports to Indian-manufactured models.

This transition meant the departure of the old European C3 and C3 Aircross, which were replaced by similarly named but distinctly different Indian versions.

Honda also joined the movement, retiring the WR-V in favour of the Elevate, while Mahindra’s XUV300 gave way to the XUV300 TurboSport.

Volkswagen ended production of its entry-level Amarok bakkie, marking a significant shift in its lineup.

Similarly, models like the Hyundai Kona, Nissan Qashqai, Jeep Renegade, Mazda BT-50, and Toyota C-HR were pulled from showrooms, largely due to declining sales.

Yet, exceptions to this trend emerged, such as the Nissan NP200.

Despite being a strong seller, the compact bakkie was discontinued due to its ageing engineering—a decision that surprised many, given its ongoing popularity.

Suzuki also decided to streamline its offerings, phasing out the Vitara.

The company justified the move by pointing to its newer models, such as the Fronx and Grand Vitara, which now dominate its SUV lineup.

This decision underscored a broader industry shift toward focusing on updated designs and modern engineering.

The evolving automotive market continues to reflect shifting consumer demands, cost considerations, and the relentless pursuit of modernity, leaving a dynamic and ever-changing landscape in its wake.

The 24 cars that have been discontinued in South Africa over the course of two years are listed below.


2023

BAIC X25


Ford EcoSport


Hyundai Atos


Kia Rio


Mahindra KUV100


Mahindra XUV500


Nissan Almera


Subaru XV


Suzuki Vitara Brezza


Toyota Agya


Toyota FJ Cruiser


Toyota Urban Cruiser

2024

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


Nissan NP200


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