Vauxhall has continued to simplify its range with the removal of two models from its line-up: the Viva city car and Insignia Sports Tourer executive estate.
Although the Viva, along with the pricier, more fashion-focused Adam, was confirmed for withdrawal last year, both models were meant to continue until the end of this year. But the Viva has now disappeared from the British brand's online configurator, so only some dealer stock now remains.
The Insignia Sports Tourer is a more surprising removal that Vauxhall hadn’t communicated beforehand. Reports suggest that buyers in the fleet-heavy estate sector have been opting instead for the cheaper yet similarly versatile Astra Sports Tourer - a car that has also recently been updated with a more efficient engine range.
The Insignia Country Tourer, an estate with rugged off-road treatment and a raised ride height, was also removed from sale last month due to slow sales. Insignia sales in general have more than halved in Europe in the last decade, and figures published so far in 2019 show the D-segment model is declining further.
Vauxhall, mirroring its European counterpart Opel, is focusing on its biggest-volume sellers. For now, that includes models such as the Astra, the Corsa (which has just entered a new generation), the Mokka X (for which a replacement is due next year) and the Grandland X.
There's also a stronger focus on boosting commercial vehicle sales, with new Combo and Vivaro vans launched this year.
Read more:
Vauxhall boss on future plans and being "comfortably British"
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Rationalisation
It has been whispered in my ear that all of the major manufacturers are making substantial cuts to the variety of vehicles on sale in Britain (especially at the cheaper, less profitable end of the market - in this case the Viva) as a way of hedging their bets (and finances) against any form (but particularly a no deal) Brexit. It can be seen as a hidden form of Brexit related inflation (but I couldn't possibly comment).
Opel versions too?
So is it the end of Insignia ST production across all markets? Or just UK/RHD markets? The loss of the Viva was known, the loss of probably the best looking fleet sector estate on the market after the new 508 is disapointing. Far better looking than the Mundaneo or Passat. Maybe it is to help boost 508 estate sales?
Nope, UK only
Pretty sure you'll get it back ( if you want it ) after the restyling that's coming early next year.
And if you really can't bare the thought of a Mondeo ( sure ) or a Passat ( actually pretty good ), may i remind you that the Mazda6 Wagon is still on sale.
websites
The Insignia Sports Tourer is no longer visible on vauxhall.co.uk, but it is on opel.de.
rhwilton wrote:
As are the Karl (=Viva) and the Zafira.
A shame...
I'm a Vauxhall owner and will certainly have another - quietly capable, dependable motoring with cheap servicing costs is a no brainer for me.
Quietly capable...
Lots of cars are cheap to service now, lots are reliable, but... many are way more capable than ‘quietly capable’. A car is a lot of money to buy, why accept adequate or average when there’s better out there? Vauxhall need to be pushed into improving, they’ve barely made a genuinely good car since the 80s.
Vauxhall’s slogan should be “It’s good enough for the likes of you”.
Paul Dalgarno wrote:
I think there's something of a secret pleasure from something which is capable and satisfying, but which doesn't get a second glance from others!
Truth is, there are no bad cars any more, just less fashionable ones.
I'm waiting till the current Insignia comes down to my price level!
Paul Dalgarno wrote:
I'm not in the market for any of the following, but is a Golf really significantly better than an Astra? Or a Passat better than a Insignia?
catnip wrote:
God yes. Boring as they may be, both the Golf and the Passat have a certain ease of use and thoughtfulness that the Astra and Insignia just don't. Not to mention the much larger engine range.
No to say that the Astra or the Insignia are bad, but the VWs are legitimately better.