Is the Hyundai Veloster on its way out?
Hyundai’s sales numbers have been struggling in Europe and the United Kingdom for some time, which is primarily the reason that automaker has redirected its efforts toward closer targets like India and Korea. Effects of these poor sales rates are beginning to take their toll, starting with the Veloster getting the ax in the UK this week.
After watching the model be kicked to the curb, we in America are left wondering: is the Veloster being discontinued here too?
Related: Hyundai and Kia’s sales rates are doing well overall this year
Many Thinking the Veloster Being Discontinued in UK Is a Bad Omen
The Hyundai Veloster is a strange-looking vehicle–a four-door hatchback (yes, that means it has one door on the driver’s side and two on the passenger’s) that thinks it’s a miniaturized, turbo-charged coupe. Unfortunately, this oddball hasn’t found many friends in the UK, resulting in Hyundai officially pulling the plug on the model after only three years. The vehicle had its model page removed from the Hyundai UK site this week, and brand officials confirm the new i30 Turbo unveiled Wednesday will be replacing it.
It’s well-known that the Veloster has’t been resonating with US shoppers either, being the third-lowest selling model in Hyundai’s lineup (edging out the Equus and Azera, which have both struggled with discontinuation themselves). Its sales numbers in 2014 have been far less than they were in 2013, down nearly 2,000 from the same period last year.
No word from Hyundai in Korea on the automaker’s plans for the model’s future in general, but Spain, Germany, and France all still have it available, so it’s unclear how long Hyundai will give the model in other markets before making cuts.
Currently, the Veloster is still on the market for US customers, so if you’ve been considering buying a Veloster, now is the time. However, rumors have been flying about its potential retirement since July 2014. If sales numbers continue the way they are here in America, don’t be surprised to see the Veloster being discontinued.
Related: In good news, here’s one Hyundai model that’s doing well
News Source: Autoblog
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