Over the first half of 2023, various automakers quietly axed vehicles in South Africa. Let’s take a closer look at the dearly departed, which are no longer available new…

While a few fresh nameplates have been launched in South Africa in the first half of 2023, a number have been axed as well. Of course, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the local automotive landscape’s comings and goings, which has afforded us the opportunity to compile this list of the dearly departed.

Of course, we should point out we’ve concentrated on instances of entire model ranges being scrapped, choosing to ignore single derivatives that have been removed from their respective line-ups. In addition, we’d like to thank the vehicle-information specialists over at duoporta.com for their help filling in a couple of gaps.

Before we get stuck in, note we’ve included only those models that are no longer listed on their manufacturer’s website. So, despite the fact the Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Atos and Suzuki Vitara Brezza are no longer in production, they’re not (yet) on this list since some new-vehicle stock remains in the country (though, as you can tell from the chart above, it’s fast running dry).

It’s a similar case with the Kia Rio, which is due to be phased out locally towards the end of 2023. We’ve also not included the Mahindra Scorpio here, seeing as the Scorpio-N badge that supplanted this nameplate is virtually the same (bar the addition of that single-letter suffix, of course).

Right, let’s take a closer look, in alphabetical order…

1. BAIC X25

The BAIC X25 was launched in South Africa in 2017, joining the D20 hatchback and sedan (both of which have also since been discontinued). Before this Chinese crossover was put out to pasture in the opening quarter of 2023, the X25 range comprised 4 derivatives, each powered by a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine sending 85 kW and 148 Nm to the front axle. Transmission choices included a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 4-speed automatic cog-swapper, while 2 trim levels were on offer.

Find a used BAIC X25 on Cars.co.za!

2. Mahindra KUV100 Nxt

When picking apart the performances of South Africa’s least-expensive new cars a few months back, we noticed Mahindra KUV100 Nxt sales had tapered off markedly through 2022 (falling from 175 units in May to a mere 5 units by December of that year). The diminutive Indian-built model then quietly disappeared from Mahindra SA’s website. Before it was axed, the line-up included both petrol and diesel motors, as well as a panel-van derivative badged as the #Xprez.

Find a used Mahindra KUV100 on Cars.co.za!

3. Mahindra XUV500

The death knell sounded for the Mahindra XUV500 – which had last received an update in 2018 – when the new XUV700 touched down in South Africa, with the latter model ultimately replacing it on the market. Before it was axed, all derivatives in the XUV500 line-up were powered by the Indian firm’s familiar mHawk 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, which generated 103 kW and 330 Nm.

Find a used Mahindra XUV500 on Cars.co.za!

4. Mercedes-Benz EQC

Yes, the Mercedes-Benz EQC was silently scrapped in South Africa earlier this year (did anyone notice?), with international reports furthermore suggesting production for all markets has ceased. We broke the news of pricing for this fully electric vehicle back in July 2022, revealing it would be offered exclusively in EQC 400 4Matic form. As a reminder, it employed an electric motor on each axle, offering peak system outputs of 300 kW and 760 Nm, and drawing their urge from an 80 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Claimed range for the now-defunct 5-seater electric crossover was listed as “up to 471 km”.

Find a used Mercedes-Benz on Cars.co.za!

5. Subaru XV

While it may seem a trifle unfair to include the Subaru XV on this list, it’s a fact the nameplate has been axed, even if it was replaced by the Crosstrek badge. Yes, over its first 2 generations in South Africa, Subaru’s Impreza-based crossover was known as the XV, but the Japanese brand the dropped this moniker when the 3rd iteration arrived. Before its departure, the XV was offered with Subaru’s naturally aspirated 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder Boxer petrol engine. With symmetrical all-wheel drive as standard, maximum outputs of 115 kW and 196 Nm were sent to all 4 corners via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Find a used Subaru XV on Cars.co.za!

6. Toyota Agya

The Toyota Agya – which was based on the Daihatsu Ayla and manufactured in Indonesia – arrived in South Africa in late-2020 as a replacement for the Aygo. However, the budget hatchback left the local scene towards the middle of 2023, when the Vitz (a rebadged Suzuki Celerio) touched down as its successor. Before its demise, the Agya range had comprised 4 derivatives, each powered by a 49 kW/89 Nm naturally aspirated 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol mill, offered with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto transmission.

Find a used Toyota Agya on Cars.co.za!

7. Toyota FJ Cruiser

In April 2023, Toyota SA Motors confirmed to Cars.co.za global production of the FJ Cruiser had wrapped up, ending a 12-year local run for the retro-styled off-roader. Priced atR813000before its discontinuation in South Africa, the ladder-frame SUV employed the Japanese firm’s familiar atmospheric 4.0-litre V6 petrol (1GR-FE) powerplant, which sipped from twin fuel tanks and delivered200 kWand380 Nmto all 4 wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission…

Find a used Toyota FJ Cruiser on Cars.co.za!

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