SEMA eNews, Vol. 9, No. 21 – May 24, 2006

SAY GOODBYE TO THESE 10 VEHICLES

It is important for the automotive aftermarket to learn about the release of new vehicles as soon as possible. However, it may be just as important to find out which vehicles will no longer be produced. This year (2006) is the last model year for these 10 vehicles:

General Motors Hummer H1: This vehicle has been available for civilians since 1992, but in that time only 12,000 have been sold, with only 374 sold in the United States in calendar year 2005.

Volkswagen Phaeton: Not every Volkswagen dealer signed on to be a Phaeton dealership, and the price tag was fairly steep for a Volkswagen: $66,700 for the V8 model and $96,600 for the V12. Only 3,300 have been sold in the United States since it was introduced in 2003.

Porsche GT: Production ended in May. At a cost of $440,000, only 1,270 were sold in the 2.5 years it was produced.

Ford GT: Because of financial troubles, Ford is closing the Wixom, Michigan, plant where the Ford GT, introduced in 2004, is built.

Lincoln LS: The other vehicle produced at Ford’s Wixom plant. Roughly 293,000 have been built since its introduction in 1999, but by 2005, annual sales dropped to fewer than 20,000.

Pontiac GTO: Sales never reached the annual goal of 18,000. The best year was 2004, with sales reaching 13,569. Sales have continued to decrease, and new federal regulations would add cost to the vehicle.

Acura RSX: Low-priced Acura that replaced the Integra. Sales have decreased since its introduction in 2002.

Mazda MPV: This vehicle is being replaced by the 2007 Mazda CX-7 and CX-9 crossover SUVs.

Ford Taurus: Had been America’s best-selling car from 1992 to 1996, but sales have been decreasing. It has been slowly phased out, with the introductions of the Ford Five Hundred and the Ford Fusion.

Honda Insight: Sales averaged only 55 cars per month, compared to the sales of its rival, the Toyota Prius, at 9,000 per month.

Although there will be many of the above vehicles cruising the streets for years to come, specialty-equipment companies may want to reconsider producing large quantities of products for these phased-out rides.

Source: Ann Job, “The ‘Good-Bye’ Cars of 2006," http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....tentid=4023981

 

its not really surprizing

 

Who didn't see the Phaeton coming?

Kind of sad to see the LS go. It's actually a decent car and one I was considering a couple years ago. The GTO just isn't interesting for people. It's not "retro" except for the name and isn't really as fuel efficient as people need either.

The RSX is kind of surprising though. I always thought that was doing well.

I seriously didn't even know the Taurnass was still being made. Between the Five Hundred and the new thing they have, it's a bit unnecessary anyways.

Ah yes... the insight. Even being in a movie with John Travolta cannot sell your crappy car!

 

 

Be glad you didn't. Like all Lincolns they are great for about 2.5 - 3 years, but after that, crapola. I haven't met anyone with payments on those things that isn't 5g's buried.

 

Well expected, Toyota rules

 

No more RSX? I was looking to see at least one re-design... I wonder if it will be replaced. They need a little something more than the Civic Si.

I wouldn't mind seeing that Civic Type-R hatch concept becoming an Acura.

-THE DON

 

There is a dude in my neighborhood that has the VW Pheaton (sp?).. those are nasty looking.. I dont know which one he has.. but I would buy it if I had the money.

 

I think the problem is this: 100 g's for a VW!

If they just would have put the little Audi badge on it, it would have been fine.

 

Haha.. yeah.. I just like the look.. I dont agree with the price though

 

the phaeton/Audi A8 is built by Bentley engineers its a bentley chasis and engine is the w12 thats why it's so expensive...name doesn't mean anything its about quality.. and its a W12 cylinder with 500hp with ALL WHEEL drive thats riculous

Bugatti Veyron(Fastest Car in the World) is owned by VW so if it was called a VW VEYRON what difference does it make

 

Yes! VW might own them but it is a completly different company when it comes to design, build quality and prestige.

 

VW is usin Bentley, Lamborghini,Porshe,Audi ,bugatti, engineers for the new MK V lines they spent a lot of money on the best engineers in the world for the mk V models...they are climbin back on top of CR for that reason..

who u think pays bentley, lambo, audi, bugatti engineers?? VW

 

Here's the thing, they could have called it the Bugatti Pheateon, added another 100g's to the price, and sold 6000 copies/year. People that spend 100g's on a car do not want the VW symbol, period. You are buying the name as much as the car at that point.

And btw, I'm not dissing the car, it's wicked bad car. But so is an S class Mercedes. 100k for S class vs. 100k for VW? It's a frickin no brainer.

 

ya but the VEE DUB is a W12 Quadttro made by bentley

 

The RSX? WTF? I see those things a lot!! The newer and older. That really stupid of Honda!! I knew about the GTO, LS, Ford GT and Phaeton a long time ago. IMO I'd take an Audi A8 over a Phaeton. Why the Porsche (CARRERA) GT? Look how expensive it is, I don't think it should go out. I don't see the Ferrari Enzo goin out.

 

Surprising to see the RSX being phased out.

Shame, I think the car is a brilliant piece of work... nice design, and I love the interior. My buddy's gonna die when I tell him the RSX is done.

 

The RSX was too similar to the Civic Si. Acura needs to build a more powerful/luxurious coupe to compete with Infinity g35

 

True...

And with an IS350 coupe on the way. I guess they're going to leave the sport compacts to Honda. I always loved the Integra and RSX though, too bad.

They need to remake the Acura CL and turn it into an M3 killer. (<--- never gonna happen)

-THE DON

 

Kinda sad to see that the Ford GT and Carrera GT are being cut. Sure i'll never be able to afford either, but they're so dam nice, lol. But watever, business is business and they gotta do what they gotta do.
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