We’re not completely positive why, however the final week of February was the week fairly just a few automakers determined to announce that issues are No Longer Occurring. Granted, these are all initiatives that the majority of us hadn’t thought of in a very long time, nevertheless it’s nonetheless slightly unhappy to see. A lot cash simply down the drain. In your comfort, right here’s a fast roundup of all of the vehicles that have been killed or canceled within the final week.
Apple Automotive
The loss of life of the Apple Automotive was in all probability the most important story of the week, despite the fact that we will’t think about too many individuals have been all that dissatisfied to listen to the information. Identified internally as Mission Titan, the Apple Automotive stored being delayed and delayed once more, and finally it simply wasn’t meant to be.
It didn’t assist that reporting in regards to the Apple Automotive advised one of many largest issues with the venture was that completely different individuals concerned all had conflicting priorities. Plus, nobody appeared to have the ability to totally clarify why Apple was even making an attempt to construct a automobile within the first place.
In complete, Apple reportedly wasted $10 billion — a billion per yr — making an attempt to make its automobile desires a actuality. And what did it get out of this failed venture? So far as we will inform, completely nothing.
BMW Z4 Idea Touring Coupe
After we first noticed the BMW Z4 Idea Touring Coupe, we have been blown away. Might the clown shoe lastly be making its triumphant return? Not essentially. BMW was fairly clear from the start that it wouldn’t develop into a full manufacturing mannequin, nevertheless it nonetheless tempted us with the chance that we’d see a low-volume, limited-production run.
This week, although, BMWBlog reported that executives had determined to scrap the thought to construct the Z4 Idea Touring Coupe. With a rumored worth of round $250,000 and solely 50 vehicles presumably deliberate for manufacturing, it’s not like several common particular person would have been in a position to get their palms on one, nevertheless it’s nonetheless unhappy to see our capturing brake desires dashed like that.
Mercedes-Maybach SUS
Again in 2018 Mercedes revealed an idea for a Maybach-badged ultra-luxury sedan that was additionally sort of an SUV (or, in the event you choose, a Maybach SUV with sedan-like styling), it was simply ridiculous. The manufacturing Maybach GLS that the idea previewed ended up as a conventional SUV, however the sedan variant was supposedly nonetheless being developed for China solely, so it’s not like it might actually have an effect on something right here in America.
Because it seems, growing a car, even one which makes use of a shared platform, for only one market proved costly, and Mercedes simply couldn’t justify persevering with the venture. We are able to’t say that we’re stunned, however on the similar time, it might have at the very least been attention-grabbing to see the manufacturing model. From the sound of it, although, that’s simply not going to occur.
Lagonda
Be trustworthy. Did you even keep in mind that Aston Martin had revealed a Lagonda idea that was purported to revive the model? The Lagonda Imaginative and prescient Idea appeared attention-grabbing sufficient, nevertheless it languished for years, by no means making it to manufacturing. And again in 2021, we heard rumors that Aston Martin could also be completed with Lagonda.
These rumors have been confirmed this week when Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll instructed Autocar that Lagonda is formally lifeless. If “we predict there’s sufficient luxurious in our sports activities vehicles and SUV, so we’re not contemplating launching a less-performance, higher-luxury automobile,” wasn’t sufficient to substantiate that for you, Stroll later spoke in regards to the Lagonda idea, saying, “that concept is totally lifeless and has completely nothing to do with our electrical car plan.”
So yeah, don’t maintain your breath ready for a manufacturing Lagonda. It isn’t occurring anytime quickly.
Wagoneer (As A Model)
When Jeep introduced that it deliberate to deliver again the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, it additionally determined that Wagoneer ought to be its personal sub-brand. Jeep wished to maneuver upmarket, and a part of that apparently concerned promoting Jeeps that didn’t have any Jeep badges. That sort of factor isn’t utterly unparalleled within the trade, nevertheless it was nonetheless an odd transfer contemplating how a lot model fairness the Jeep identify has.
And wouldn’t you understand it, only some years later, Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa instructed Motorweek that the Wagoneer sub-brand is lifeless. The SUVs themselves will proceed to be bought, however they’ll all have Jeep badges now. So now you’ll should admit to all your pals that you just really purchased a Jeep and never a Wagoneer. How embarrassing. Simply kidding. Everybody knew the Wagoneers have been Jeeps even when Jeep insisted they technically weren’t.
Honorable Point out: MotorTrend+
Technically, MotorTrend+ isn’t a automobile, nevertheless it is (effectively, was) car-related leisure, so we figured it at the very least deserves an honorable point out. Discovery might have been completely comfortable to proceed cranking out countless variations of Offended Bearded Man Storage, however MotorTrend at the very least tried to supply one thing higher. And now MotorTrend+ is lifeless.
The excellent news is, if in case you have a Max subscription, most MotorTrend+ content material ought to be out there that manner now. So now you’ll be able to watch Roadkill Storage with out having to pay for one more subscription. From that perspective, possibly Discovery killing MotorTrend+ was really an excellent factor.