Goodbye 2026: discontinued cars Europe will lose to EVs
The 2026 model casualties: Europe’s discontinued cars amid the EV shift
Goodbye 2026: discontinued cars Europe will lose to EVs
Nearly 30 models bow out by 2026 as rules tighten and brands pivot to EVs. From Ford Focus to Alpine A110, Audi A1/Q2 and VW Touareg—what’s ending and why.
2025-12-27T00:05:31+03:00
2025-12-27T00:05:31+03:00
2025-12-27T00:05:31+03:00
Every year brings fresh metal, and with it the inevitable: some models take their final bow. 2026 is shaping up to be a particularly busy curtain call—nearly 30 cars are set either to be dropped altogether or to vanish from the European market under tighter emissions and safety rules. The reasons differ, from natural end-of-cycle timing to shifts onto new platforms and electrification; in some cases, weak demand simply made the decision for them. This wave feels less like drama and more like the industry tidying the lineup for the next phase.Among the most notable losses is the combustion-powered Alpine A110, slated to wrap up by the end of 2026 as it yields to an electric successor. Audi has several departures lined up: the A1 and Q2 are expected to run to the end of their cycles before making room for new electric city-focused models, while the A7 Sportback will, by the brand’s plan, be folded into the A6 and A6 e-tron branches. BMW has already said goodbye to the ICE X4 and is preparing the electric iX4; the future of the niche Z4 and the 8 Series remains uncertain, with no direct replacements on the horizon. Read together, these moves point to a clear consolidation around forthcoming EV architectures, with lower-volume nameplates under the greatest pressure.In the mainstream ranks, the farewell to the Ford Focus hits hardest: the final car left the line in November 2025, and the model bows out for good in 2026 as the brand leans into a crossover-first strategy. Europe will also lose the Honda Civic Type R—not because production stops as such, but due to CO2 restrictions. For Volkswagen, the end of the petrol and diesel Touareg is marked by the Final Edition, with orders accepted through March 2026. And there are other era-defining names on the lists, including the Toyota GR Supra and its BMW Z4 relative. Enthusiasts will miss the character these cars brought, yet the trajectory is set: fewer combustion flagships, more electrified successors.
2026 discontinued cars, Europe market, EV shift, Ford Focus, Alpine A110, Audi A1, Audi Q2, A7 Sportback, A6 e-tron, BMW X4, iX4, BMW Z4, 8 Series, Honda Civic Type R, VW Touareg, Toyota GR Supra
2025
Michael Powers
news
The 2026 model casualties: Europe’s discontinued cars amid the EV shift
Nearly 30 models bow out by 2026 as rules tighten and brands pivot to EVs. From Ford Focus to Alpine A110, Audi A1/Q2 and VW Touareg—what’s ending and why.
Michael Powers, Editor
Every year brings fresh metal, and with it the inevitable: some models take their final bow. 2026 is shaping up to be a particularly busy curtain call—nearly 30 cars are set either to be dropped altogether or to vanish from the European market under tighter emissions and safety rules. The reasons differ, from natural end-of-cycle timing to shifts onto new platforms and electrification; in some cases, weak demand simply made the decision for them. This wave feels less like drama and more like the industry tidying the lineup for the next phase.
Among the most notable losses is the combustion-powered Alpine A110, slated to wrap up by the end of 2026 as it yields to an electric successor. Audi has several departures lined up: the A1 and Q2 are expected to run to the end of their cycles before making room for new electric city-focused models, while the A7 Sportback will, by the brand’s plan, be folded into the A6 and A6 e-tron branches. BMW has already said goodbye to the ICE X4 and is preparing the electric iX4; the future of the niche Z4 and the 8 Series remains uncertain, with no direct replacements on the horizon. Read together, these moves point to a clear consolidation around forthcoming EV architectures, with lower-volume nameplates under the greatest pressure.
In the mainstream ranks, the farewell to the Ford Focus hits hardest: the final car left the line in November 2025, and the model bows out for good in 2026 as the brand leans into a crossover-first strategy. Europe will also lose the Honda Civic Type R—not because production stops as such, but due to CO2 restrictions. For Volkswagen, the end of the petrol and diesel Touareg is marked by the Final Edition, with orders accepted through March 2026. And there are other era-defining names on the lists, including the Toyota GR Supra and its BMW Z4 relative. Enthusiasts will miss the character these cars brought, yet the trajectory is set: fewer combustion flagships, more electrified successors.
