There are market niches that continue to exist thanks to public loyalty, even with limited supply. An example of this is the compact minivan, which has only the Chevrolet Spin as an option and its production is justified by the constant demand coming from taxi drivers, large families and public fleets. But manufacturers may find it feasible to take a car off the line without leaving a successor.
This is a bet that is often justified in unifying the offer of platforms and betting on segments with greater appeal. As for the consumer who has been “orphaned”, he needs to learn to like another type of car or keep the current one. Here are five cases of models that have been discontinued without having a successor, either direct or indirect.
There are no more vans with the capabilities of the Kombi for prices similar to those charged by it (Photo: Volkswagen | Disclosure)
For many decades it was impossible to imagine the Brazilian market without the Kombi. The van derived from the Beetle was the first Volkswagen produced on national soil in 1957 and was discontinued in December 2013 because it did not have brakes with ABS and front airbags.
A new Kombi cost R$ 50,930 when it was discontinued in 2013, equivalent to R$ 117,045 in current values when corrected by the IGP-M index. Using the reference market, the price was the same as an entry-level Renault Duster, which today starts at R$ 131.990.
Regardless of the amount used, there is no longer a van for up to 12 passengers or a van capable of carrying 1 ton of cargo in this price range in our market. Even though it was extremely outdated, the Kombi played an important role in our market.
Today those looking for a van need to start with the medium models of Stellantis, Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert and Citroën Jumpy, which start at R$ 229.990. Or settle for the Fiat Fiorino, which takes less load but is priced at R$ 132.990.
2. Fiat Palio Weekend
SUVs with large trunks like station wagons are rare (Photo: Fiat | Disclosure)
Compact station wagons were the most rational choice of family car for those on a budget. They had popular maintenance and a large and practical trunk.
The fashion for minivans and then SUVs reaped this segment. The last national station wagon was the Fiat Palio Weekend, which was discontinued in 2020 without leaving a successor.
Those looking for a compact car with a large trunk today have few options: the Chevrolet Spin minivan and the Citroën Aircross, Renault Duster, Honda WR-V and Fiat Fastback SUVs.
3. Honda Fit
The Fit has features that do not exist on the market today, such as good visibility, a well-used interior and a well-finished interior for a compact (Photo: Honda | Disclosure)
The Honda Fit was a compact hatch that brought elements of minivans, just as the current Citroën C3 is inspired by SUVs. The Japanese’s greatest asset was to have a spacious and practical interior even with small external measurements.
It also captivated the public for being well finished, having good visibility, being economical and offering automatic transmission. Honda ended production of the Fit in Brazil in 2021, placing the City Hatch as an indirect successor.
The Fit’s loyal audience didn’t like the alternative, the trunk is cramped, access to the compartment is small and visibility is not as good as the Fit’s. In addition, the current hatch is larger.
Some point to the BYD Dolphin as an indirect successor because of the body shape, but it is not practical like the Fit and does not offer a split rear seat. The Honda WR-V is also called the successor to the Fit, but it is large, does not have modular seats and has poor visibility. For now, fans of the single remain orphans.
4. Suzuki Jimny
With so many SUVs on the market, there is no one that is brave as Suzuki’s jeep (Photo: Suzuki | Disclosure)
We have never had so many SUVs in Brazil, but at the same time we have very few jeep options. The Suzuki Jimny was a little jeep that looked cute, but it had the ability to tackle trails better than many large SUVs.
It had a chassis separate from the body, suspension with a rigid axle at the front and rear, 4×4 traction with reduced and locking in the rear differential. The low weight allowed it to use a 1.5-liter aspirated engine and also helped on the trails.
The Jimny was also a stamped figure in the cities, many customers bought the model because it was small and stylish. Models like the Jeep Renegade Willys and the Ford Bronco Sport have all-wheel drive, but they are far from being brave like the small Suzuki.
5. Chevrolet Cruze Sport6
Medium hatches were sought after by enthusiasts who wanted cars that were good to drive and well equipped (Photo: Chevrolet | Disclosure)
While the midsize sedan segment survives thanks to taxi drivers, executive transport and the more mature public, hatchbacks of the same size have left the scene. There are still some imported options, but they are all sports cars with high prices.
The last conventional medium hatch that was sold in Brazil was the Chevrolet Cruze Sport6, which lasted until 2023. When it was launched, it competed in a vast market, which included the Fiat Bravo, Volkswagen Golf, Peugeot 308, Hyundai i30, Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza hatchback.
The Cruze was discontinued to free up space on the assembly line for the Tracker SUV. The same happened with the Volkswagen Golf years earlier, which gave way on the assembly line to the T-Cross.
Compact SUVs arrived in the price range that was medium hatches, but bringing simpler finishes, less refined construction and less equipment. The segment may return soon with the Kia K4 hatch, which was promised by the brand during the 2025 Motor Show.
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