Popular car models could disappear from roads after major brands push for electric vehicles

Popular car models could disappear from roads after major brands push for electric vehicles

Rishi Sunak announces major change to 2030 petrol and diesel ban

GB NEWS
Felix Reeves

By Felix Reeves


Published: 04/01/2024

- 13:56

Updated: 05/03/2024

- 16:46

The prices of these vehicles could rise in the coming years

A number of popular vehicles that are common on UK roads have been discontinued over the past 12 months as more brands move towards an electric future.

Major manufacturers, including some based in the UK, have taken the difficult decision to end production of successful models and discontinue iconic legacies.


While they can still be bought and sold on the second-hand market, drivers may not see the once-lauded cars on the roads as much once numbers start to dwindle.

Motorists are being urged to take action if they want to get their hands on the following vehicles as prices could rise as they become rarer.

Ford Fiesta

The 2021 Ford Fiesta line-up

FORD

Ford Fiesta

On July 7, 2023, the legendary Ford Fiesta ended production after 47 years when it rolled off the assembly line with the final two models being shipped out to the German and UK heritage fleets.

Ford has sold more than 22 million Fiesta’s around the world including almost five million of these being snapped up by British drivers.

The brand is now looking to expand its fleet of electric vehicles, with Ford heralding a “new era” at the Cologne Electric Vehicle Centre.

\u200bThe Volvo V60

The Volvo V60

VOLVO

Volvo Saloons and Estates

Volvo announced that it would be ditching estate and saloon cars from its UK range, saying that UK consumers were moving towards electric cars and SUVs.

A statement from Volvo read: “We will naturally need to evolve and consolidate our line-up as we prioritise fully electric cars and make this technological transition.

“As a result, we have removed further models from the UK line-up. These include the S60, V60 and V90.”

The \u200bAudi R8 Coupe V10 Performance

The Audi R8 Coupe V10 Performance

AUDI

Audi R8 and TT

Audi’s slick supercars have consistently been a fan favourite among drivers with the R8 being no different, although its run came to an end last year.

The brand said it would be concentrating on electrification followed by rumours that it would be replaced with an electric supercar dubbed the RNext.

Similarly, the last ever Audi TT was put up for sale in March from £41,910 as the Final Edition gave drivers a last chance to get their hands on the supercar.

The \u200bRolls-Royce Dawn

The Rolls-Royce Dawn

ROLLS-ROYCE

Rolls-Royce Dawn and Wraith

The prestige marque confirmed to Autocar UK that production for both luxury models would end production for both models.

It also confirmed that there were no current plans to produce direct replacements for the two models, although the carmaker is looking to become an all-electric brand before the end of the decade.

The first evidence of this is expected to be shown later this year with the assumed launch of the Spectre and its equally staggering £332,000 price tag.

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Volkswagen Up

The Volkswagen Up

VOLKSWAGEN

Volkswagen UP

At the time, the Up was one of the cheapest cars on the market, retailing for around £8,000 when it launched in 2011, followed by the electric version introduced in 2014.

A statement from Volkswagen said: “Production of the Up and the e-Up at the Volkswagen plant in Bratislava will come to an end in the fourth quarter.

“Therefore individual configuration of the vehicle (on the UK and German websites) will no longer be possible.”

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