This week, a report claimed General Motors has internally killed off the Chevrolet Sonic sedan and hatchback, while the Chevrolet Impala inches closer to the chopping block. However, with the news, Ford is also looking to trim the fat from its passenger-car portfolio.
Ford Authority reported on Wednesday that the Fiesta sub-compact and Taurus full-size sedan may be heading for the scrapheap in the sky. The two vehicles in question mirror the segments Chevrolet would exit with the Sonic and Impala’s death. Ford already confirmed it will not sell the next-generation Fiesta in the United States, which already led to speculation over its cancellation.
Reports pegged a new Sonic to show face next decade, though those plans are, obviously, no longer.
Ford also garnered headlines when the Fusion mid-size sedan surfaced as another potential victim of slowing passenger car sales in the U.S. Thus far, Ford has not confirmed any of the vehicles in question will exit production. Ditto for GM, though the evidence in sales figures paints a bleak picture; utility vehicle sales continue to climb as traditional sedan and small-car sales figures dwindle.
Comments
With Ford and Chrysler bowing out GM should stay in and increase their share
Exactly! This is why GM and Ford are sadly not on top, when times get tough, they both focus on SUVs and CUVs, but as soon as gas prices increase, buyers go Asian because the American companies have nothing to offer.
Yet while they focused on cars at Cadillac they get left in the dust on CUZv models.
With small CUV models they get the very same mpg.
My Acadia even at the size it is and 310 HP and AWD I see 27 highway and 20 on surface streets. The Terrain even better.
The Asian companies have a loyal following but yet even they are losing car sales and have had to increase CUV sales to make up for it.
Gas prices were an issue when all we had were the Tahoe and Suburban but today there are many versions getting as good of mpg as most mid sized sedans and some even better.
The real problem is cars are limited in utility anymore. My Malibu will not accept a box that Is 24” tall and wide through the opening. I can’t tell you how often I have had to unbox items in parking lots to get things in.
In the Acadia pull a lever flip the seats and load up about anything.
An Acadia doesn’t get anywhere near the mileage as a Malibu. Ditto for other cuv’s. I’m just saying they can pull in some buyers.
The Malibu does not carry 6 people or much worth while cargo.
My 08 bu gets 23 city and under 30 highway.
You can invest in the past or you can invest in future growing segments
Selling token cars in declining segments are not how to grow a company.
It is not enough just to make money anymore you need to make the maximum return on the investment hence the abandonment of many auto segments.
Value brands selling just over 100k units is no longer enough when a Crossover can sell at a much higher number and also be split off in other brands sharing the platform.
Survival of the fittest, you have to adapt to your market…While the Big 3 dominate pickup sales, the Big 3 do not currently dominate passenger cars despite relatively low gas prices…Yet if gas prices dropped to a 12 month average of $1.00/gal (which sadly would still be $2.25/gal in California!) it would further kill passenger car sales…However, odds are it would mean record sales pickups and CUVs/SUVs for every automaker…
I think EV is a point, so that may cause GM and Ford not fear gas prices rising again and decide to exit subcompact cars.
the big “tanks” are fine once rollin on the highway but local driving “tanks” the mpg to half or less depending on how heavy the “tanks” aka 4 dr trucks are. those living in hilly + mountain areas take an even bigger hit in mpg’s!!
My Canyon crew does 20 city 25 highway. V6 gas and 4×4. We have hills.
The bottom line is no matter the gas price people will opt for a CUV over about any non luxury car. Be it a Encore, Equinox, Acadia, Enclave etc. the MPG is more than acceptable to most buyers as they were not going to be in cars getting over 30 MPG anyways.
The keys to anyone selling cars will be global models that many markets that can make up the volume.
What cars GM will sell will be based on what is sold in volume in China.
Ford let the Taurus get stale, just like GM is well on their way to doing with the Impala. The last major redesign was in 2010, so the current model has been on sale for 9 model years. It’s also terribly space inefficient, with the smaller, cheaper Fusion having a roomier interior. I don’t understand why Ford introduced a new improved Taurus for China, yet neglected to bring it here.
This is all the more reason for GM to keep the Impala (and Sonic) around a bit longer. The Impala has been around for 5 model years now, which is nearing a normal full model cycle, yet without any updates worthy of note. An update similar to the 2019 Malibu would keep it relevant for another three or four years. Revised grille, and bumpers, LED tail lights, updated 3.6 with 9-speed auto and a new steering wheel. Also, adding a police package would account for some more sales. Also, ADVERTISE THE THING!!! Maybe they don’t see the potential for a return on investment for standalone ads, but at least include it and mention it at the end of other Chevy ads where they show a select lineup of Chevy models. The same with the Sonic, which was initially advertised heavily, but I have never seen an ad for the facelifted model. People have short attention spans, and those that aren’t enthusiasts forget that these cars even exist. Last night, I saw an ad advertising 20% off the Cruze and Malibu LT models. The Impala and Sonic have both had a few sales like this over the past few years, yet no ads… WHY?!?
real redesigns cost $$$$ while typical trinkets are done cheaply, like harley does + calls it a new model!!! notice how similar many models are even though a different line. todays vehicles are technically advanced which is “mostly” good with better handling + breaking, BUT their cookie cutter looks leave a LOT to be desired IMO
most of todays sedans will see 25 or so local + 35 or better on a trip, so depending on how much you drive the $$$ add up!! when i was working doing 500 to a 1,000 weekly replacing my beloved 72 olds cutlass 350 with a smaller modern 2001 sedan the gas savings made half the monthly car payment, about $125 monthly!!! big difference in 15 ave + 30 ave mpg especially when gas was more than it is now!!!
I have heard several people complain (and I agree) that you can not see out of the new sedans because the beltline is high and the windows narrow. Make an Impala you can see out of and sales may pick back up.
Cars are still easier to see out of than a CUV yet they move to buy them.
i can agree there!! sisters 2010 malibu is not good, girlfriends 13 is even worse, neighbor lady mentioned similar for her later model impala!! newest model malibus look sleek but guessing rear vision is even worse. my elderly aunt opted to keep her 99 jeep cherokee because vision is SOOO good everywhere + she feels confident driving it!!
People are cheap so they want to buy a one size fits all do everything car/cuv/SUV so they can buy one car! This thought process has destroyed the car industry, it makes manufacturers develop vehicles that are not great at one thing but ok at many things!
So the blending starts, building a
Car with SUV cargo
Car with traction of a 4×4
Car with high mpg
Car that handles like a performance car
All into one! There is no reason for this unless your cheap!
Performance cars should be just that
4×4 should be focused on that
Luxury cars should be about luxury
Not shoved together
Brian who r u to tell people they r cheap. Many people can only afford 1 vehicle. Get off your high horse. I’m blessed that I’m able to buy what I want. I don’t look down on others.
It’s how cars are built! If people weren’t obsessed with having one car do everything then cars would be built better for what they are built for!
We don’t need a performance cuv! Performance cars yes!
Small SUV’s and “crossovers” are CARS! Most of the newer ones are based upon a sedan chassis.They are just taller and longer hatchbacks with some slightly sportier chassis variations and bigger overpriced tires to give soccer-moms and weekend dads some false media-driven sense of being adventurous. They replaced the wagons, large and mid-size sedans, and mini-vans as the mode of transportation to the lake or mall or yoga class or grocery store. Just marketing.