• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Auto Trends Magazine

Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

You are here: Home / Special / 5 Models at Death’s Door

5 Models at Death’s Door

August 31, 2015 by admin 2 Comments

Updated to clarify that the sales numbers are “year-to-date.” 

Automobile manufacturers work diligently to ensure that every conceived product has the potential to become a competitive sales reality. Apart from electric vehicles that have limited interest, automakers design, engineer and build models they believe will make an impact on the market.

The truth is, some models are doomed from the start, failing to capture an audience significant enough to sustain the vehicle line. Although not every model will prove as popular as a Ford F-150, a Toyota Camry, or a Honda CR-V, terrible sales will lead to ruination.

Our list of five models at death’s door reveals a smattering of vehicles we believe are threatened and how each manufacturer may respond.

1. Honda CR-Z

Honda beat Toyota to the US market in 1999 with its first hybrid, the Insight. Six months later the Prius arrived and Honda hybrids soon became an afterthought.

Honda CR-Z

Honda CR-Z

Honda offered and pulled the Insight twice in the face of withering sales. It has also canceled the Civic Hybrid and pulled the plug-in Accord hybrid, but it still has the conventional Accord hybrid and the tiny CR-Z.

The CR-Z hybrid is a sporty coupe, a two-seat model powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine making a net 140 horsepower and paired with a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters. Its near $20,000 price hasn’t helped sales, with just 1,562 registered buyers through the first seven months of 2015.

Although these numbers are off by a third over 2014, Honda intends to keep the CR-Z around and will present a refreshed coupe for sale this November. The diminutive hybrid makes 36 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, and the new model will gain a refreshed fascia with a new lower air dam, larger brakes, and an upgraded infotainment system. The current sales tally may scream “cancel,” but Honda will stay with the CR-Z. At least for now.

2. Chevrolet SS

Chevrolet SS

Chevrolet SS.

US Holden fans were enamored with the Pontiac G8, a full-size rear-wheel drive model imported from Australia. When Pontiac died, GM did not quickly move the model over to Chevrolet.

Well, the Chevrolet SS stepped in where the Pontiac G8 left off, moving the steering wheel to the left side and giving this Holden Commodore a proper treatment. Some say that the SS handles as well as a BMW 5 Series, but for thousands of dollars less. In any case, the SS has served as a niche big sedan as the Chevy Impala is clearly the go-to model for the brand.

Unfortunately, sales for this 415-horsepower naturally aspirated beast measured just 1,855 units year-to-date through July. But that alone won’t end this vehicle’s run — GM is shutting down its Australian manufacturing operation by 2017 and it won’t be bringing Holden tools and dyes to North America to extend this vehicle’s run.

Kia K900

Kia K900.

 

3. Kia K900

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Kia K900, although year-to-date sales of 1,190 vehicles through July are a reason for concern. The K900 is based on the over-the-top Hyundai Equus. Both models advance European styling, but at a budget price.

That this model is a Kia may be part of the problem. That the Equus is sold in the same market doesn’t help either. With a price starting below $55,000, it is a bargain compared to the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Trouble is that beyond its palatial feel and generous amenities, it doesn’t measure up against Europe’s cream of the crop.

Despite weak sales and LeBron James’ endorsement, sales will be hard pressed to reach 200 units per month. Yet, don’t look for Kia to cancel the model as Hyundai is readying an updated Equus. As it currently stands, whatever Hyundai makes, Kia takes — the two Korean manufacturers are joined at the hip and the K900 will likely be given some additional time to catch on. After all, it has been on the market for just the past year.

4. Cadillac ELR

Cadillac ELR

Cadillac ELR.

One of the worst selling models offered by a luxury brand is the Cadillac ELR. This model is underpinned by the same platform that powers the Chevrolet Volt, GM’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The body is different as this wedged 2+2 coupe is based on the jazzy Cadillac Converj design.

So, what’s the problem with the ELR? Everything, especially its price. With an initial sticker price of $75,995 in a bid to compete with the Tesla Model S, the Cadillac ELR was simply too costly. GM shaved the price to $65,000 and with the federal tax credit its final price fell to $57,500 or nearly twice the amount you would pay for the Volt.

Analysts have been calling for GM to dump the ELR, as only 659 units have sold through the first seven months of the year. However, GM has outfitted the 2016 edition with steering and suspension enhancements, and now offers more power via sport mode. Will GM kill the ELR? Not yet and maybe not as long as its stands by the Chevrolet Volt.

5. Scion iQ

Scion iQ

Scion iQ.

Three seats are better than two, but when you have a car as small as the A-segment Scion iQ, you need to give people a compelling reason to buy one. The iQ operates in a constricted city car segment initiated by the Smart ForTwo and since joined by the Fiat 500 and the Chevrolet Spark.

The four-seat Spark has been a surprise hit for GM and is averaging more than 3,000 units sold each month. The Scion iQ, however, has only registered 449 units sold for the year through July. But the Spark is priced $3,000 lower than the iQ, has more room, and gets better gas mileage. It also offers a broader selection of amenities, including OnStar 4G LTE.

The Scion iQ is already history as Toyota announced back in January that its demise was imminent. With gas prices trending toward $2 per gallon and larger models selling for less, the little Scion was an experiment that just did not pay off.

Endangered Species

Our fabulous five represent a portion of the slow sellers that are endangered species. Other models that are near death’s door include the all-electric Mitsubishi i-Miev, the Ram Cargo Van, and the Lincoln MKT.

Certain slow-selling niche models such as the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan GT-R, and Audi R8 are probably safe for the simple reason that they continue to help draw people to showrooms and place a halo over the brand. Consequently, our five do not have that same distinction.


See Also — About the 2014 Chevrolet SS

Filed Under: Special Tagged With: CADILLAC ELR, CHEVROLET SS, Chevrolet Volt, GM, Holden, HONDA CR-Z, hybrid, Hyundai Equus, KIA K900, PHEV, SCION IQ

About admin

Matt Keegan has maintained his love for cars ever since his father taught him kicking tires can be one way to uncover a problem with a vehicle’s suspension system. He since moved on to learn a few things about coefficient of drag, G-forces, toe-heel shifting, and how to work the crazy infotainment system in some random weekly driver. Matt is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a contributor to various print and online media sources.

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. 8 of The Worst Car Names of All Time says:
    March 30, 2017 at 7:06 pm

    […] See Also — 5 Models at Deaths Door […]

    Log in to Reply
  2. The Top-of-the-Range Kia K900 says:
    April 17, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    […] Kia K900 takes the brand far beyond its ordinary roots to deliver a model that is in the size range of a BMW […]

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • A Look Back at the Ford Mustang II
  • New Duck-Billed Post Office Trucks Has Some People Quacking
  • Vroom! Lexus Reveals the IS 500 F Sport.
  • Introducing the Kia Carnival MPV
  • Goodyear, Cooper Tire to Join Forces

Recent Comments

  • 5 Forgettable Cars From the 1970s — Auto Trends Magazine on A Look Back at the Ford Mustang II
  • A Look Back at the Ford Mustang II — Auto Trends Magazine on Book Review: Mustang by Design
  • New Duck-Billed Post Office Trucks Has Some People Quacking — Auto Trends Magazine on Postal Service Teases Us With Muscle Car Stamps
  • At a Glance: 2021 Lexus IS — Auto Trends Magazine on Luxury Performance Sedan: Lexus GS F
  • At a Glance: 2021 Lexus IS — Auto Trends Magazine on Vroom! Lexus Reveals the IS 500 F Sport.

Archives

  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008

Categories

  • Auto Parts
  • Auto Shows
  • Automotive Career
  • Automotive News
  • Book Reviews
  • Car Tips
  • Classics & Discontinued Models
  • Commentary
  • Commercial Vehicles
  • Concept Vehicles
  • Dealers
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Fleet
  • Fun News
  • Maintenance & Repairs
  • Motorsport
  • New Models
  • New Vehicle Reviews
  • Ownership Experience
  • Product Reviews
  • Special
  • Specifications

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

New!
Check out our Jobs Board!

via GIPHY

Subscribe to Auto Trends

Subscribe in a reader

Social Media

Visit our social media pages:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Pinterest

Where is Matt Currently Published?

The Carolinian (new car reviews)
NAPA Know How Blog
On the Road Again

Pages

  • About
  • Authors List
  • Automotive Brochures
  • Contact
  • Industry Jobs
  • Write
    • Style Guide

Categories

Recent Posts

  • A Look Back at the Ford Mustang II
  • New Duck-Billed Post Office Trucks Has Some People Quacking
  • Vroom! Lexus Reveals the IS 500 F Sport.
  • Introducing the Kia Carnival MPV
  • Goodyear, Cooper Tire to Join Forces
  • Highlights of the 2021 Nissan Rogue
  • 7 Facts About the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt
  • Introducing the All-New
    2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV
  • What’s the Future for Chrysler and Dodge Under Stellantis?
  • All About Sobriety Checkpoints
  • Plug It In: Toyota RAV4 Prime
  • About the Volkswagen Taos
  • All-Wheel Drive Finally Comes to the Toyota Camry and We Like It!
  • Growing EV Industry Leaves Countries and Businesses Racing to Meet Increasing Lithium Demand
  • Introducing the All-New 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Crossover SUV
  • At Last! The All-New 2022 Nissan Frontier Revealed.
  • In Photos: 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor!
  • Cadillac V-Series Blackwing Preview!
  • Cost-Effective Crossover: Nissan Kicks
  • 10 Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Car
  • All-New Acura TLX Takes Charge
  • The Golden Years: 6 Memorable Models From the Original Era of Muscle Cars
  • From Datsun to Nissan: 40th Anniversary of the Maxima Sedan
  • The Mazda CX-5 Brings a Premium Touch to the Compact Crossover Utility Vehicle Segment
  • 4 Car Upholstery Cleaning Tips
  • The 14 Brands of Stellantis
  • Peugeot May Not Return to the U.S. Market After All
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand
  • The Refreshed and Handsome
    Lexus IS 350 F Sport
  • What We Know About the All-New 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
  • The All-New and Formidable 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • Fuel-Efficiency and AWD Champion: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
  • Midsize Performance Master: 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line
  • Performance Hatchback: The All-New 2021 Mazda Mazda3 Turbo!
  • NACTOY Finalists For 2021 Offer Familiar and Futuristic Choices
  • Super Trooper: Nissan Titan Pickup
  • Behind the Wheel of the Popular 2021 Toyota Corolla Sedan
  • Lucid Motors Completes Arizona Factory
  • A Robust Turbodiesel Comes to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • Mid-Engine Masterpiece: The Eighth-Generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  • Compact Performance:
    2021 Cadillac CT4-V
  • All-Wheel Drive Supplies the Nissan Altima With a Competitive Edge
  • Return of the Toyota Venza!
  • Lexus Brings a Convertible to the Gorgeous LC 500 Line
  • Stellantis Logo Revealed by Peugeot, Fiat Chrysler Ahead of Spring Merger
  • Preview: 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • How to Fix a Broken Rivian Vehicle
  • Cadillac Gets Most Things Right
    With the XT6 Crossover
  • The High Potency Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Coupe
August 2015
S M T W T F S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Jul   Sep »

Copyright © 2021 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in