DRIVEN TO DEATH
Two car brands ‘will disappear’ from UK roads forever & become EXTINCT, warns expert – but another could be saved
A once-mighty British brand is among them
A CAR expert has warned that two manufacturers that were once a common sight on UK roads could soon disappear.
A third brand also runs the risk of gradually fading from view - although it could make an incredible comeback.
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New data suggests that Daewoo, the South Korean car company that ended sales in 2002, has seen a mighty 96% drop over the last 10 years.
Two decades ago, cars such as the Matiz - a supermini with a tiny 1.0-litre engine - and the Lanos were road regulars across the British isles, but are now seldom seen.
Other brands that are said to be disappearing include Rover - the once great British car maker that was discontinued in 2005 and is perhaps best remembered for the Metro hatchback.
According to , in 2013 there were more than 276,000 Rover cars on the road, but that number has plummeted to just 35,694 in 2024.
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Another is Proton, which has seen an 87% drop in the last decade.
However, the Malaysian brand could turn out to be an anomaly - as it was recently revealed the long-forgotten marque could be set for a dramatic comeback after pulling out of the UK market in 2014.
Despite withdrawing from Europe, the manufacturer has retained its popularity in Asia and could use its success there as a springboard for a revival.
Indeed, a £7.9 billion investment from the new joint owners is set to fuel an international expansion for Proton.
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There's less good news for other major brands though, including Saab - which has seen a 71% drop - and Chrysler.
Ferraris to be discontinued
David Kottaun, Operations Manager at Scrap Car Comparison commented: “We often look at our own data to spot trends in the specific brands and models that are being scrapped more than others.
"However it's been really interesting to gain this wider picture of what car ownership looks like in the UK.
"Unfortunately, with certain brands no longer producing cars, it's a certainty that some makes and models will become extinct in time, with certain manufacturers becoming a rare sight on our roads.”
Top 10 car brands that have seen biggest drop in ownership
- Daewoo - 96% drop
- Proton - 87% drop
- Rover - 87% drop
- LDV - 78% drop
- Opel - 75% drop
- Saab - 71% drop
- Chrysler - 69% drop
- Daihatsu - 68% drop
- Chevrolet - 50% drop
- Dodge - 42% drop
This comes as a much-missed car which has been out of UK showrooms for over 30 years is set to be brought back - this time as an EV.
And cult heroes Subaru is lining up two new models to be released in the UK as they target a massive expansion of sales.
The Japanese brand has been beloved by petrolheads, particularly through its long domination of rally championships in the 80s and 90s.
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