Major car brands could disappear from UK roads within years as popular models go extinct

Many have also had to give up their cars because of massive motoring costs, which have increased as a result of fuel prices, car insurance rises and the general rate of inflation.

New research has shown that some of the largest and most popular car brands in the world are dwindling in numbers and have done so over the past 10 years.

Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk

Daewoo, which ended sales in 2002, has seen a dramatic 96 per cent drop over the last 10 years. In 2013, there were 55,987 cars on the market, whereas in 2023, there were just 2,207.

The South Korean brand ended production in 2002, after which it was renamed GM Korea, while the brand was replaced by the Chevrolet marque.

Experts have suggested that it may only be a matter of years before the Daewoo brand becomes extinct on UK roads, alongside a handful of other brands.

In second place, Malaysian brand Proton saw an 87 per cent drop, falling from almost 18,600 in 2013 to just 2,352 10 years later.

It was reported earlier this month that Proton would be returning to the UK in an expansion supported by Chinese brand Geely, which remains in control of luxury electric vehicle brand Polestar.

Similarly, Rover has seen a dramatic fall from grace. In 2013, there were more than 276,000 British-made vehicles on the road, which has plummeted 87 per cent to just 35,694.

David Kottaun, Operations Manager at Scrap Car Comparison commented: “We often look at our own data to spot trends in the specific brands and models that are being scrapped more than others.

"However it's been really interesting to gain this wider picture of what car ownership looks like in the UK.

“Unfortunately, with certain brands no longer producing cars, it's a certainty that some makes and models will become extinct in time, with certain manufacturers becoming a rare sight on our roads.”

Even some of the most commonly seen brands on the road are seeing numbers fall, including Renault (28 per cent), Vauxhall (16 per cent), Peugeot (15 per cent) and Citroen (nine per cent).

A number of other major manufacturers are included on the list of brands seeing car ownership rates drop including Saab, Chevrolet, Alfa Romeo and Mitsubishi - all dropping more than 11 per cent over the last decade.

Luxury vehicles are also not immune from a drop in car ownership rates. While they are already incredibly rare in the UK, there are only 43 Mayback models on roads, compared to 69 in 2013.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Britons could face new road taxes to fund £9billion Lower Thames Crossing
  
• BMW boss says 'categorical ban' on petrol and diesel cars is 'wrong' amid calls for e-fuel loophole
• Britons warned as car insurance claims are 'likely to be denied by your provider' and costs could soar

The top 10 car brands that have seen the biggest drop in ownership

1. Daewoo - 96 per cent drop
2. Proton - 87 per cent drop
3. Rover - 87 per cent drop
4. LDV - 78 per cent drop
5. Opel - 75 per cent drop
6. Saab - 71 per cent drop
7. Chrysler - 69 per cent drop
8. Daihatsu - 68 per cent drop
9. Chevrolet - 50 per cent drop
10. Dodge - 42 per cent drop