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These cars are headed to the Great Crusher In The Sky

It happens every year. We bid adieu to some cars and trucks that will be missed, and say good riddance to others wondering how they stayed around so long. Whether they're being killed off for slow sales or due to a new product coming along to replace them, the list of vehicles being discontinued after 2012 is surprisingly long and diverse.
CNN Money has compiled a list of departing vehicles, to which we've added a few more of our own. In the slow sales column, cars like the Lexus HS 250h, Mercedes-Benz R-Class and the full Maybach lineup appear, while the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mazda CX-7 and Hyundai Veracruz are all having their gaps filled with more modern and more fuel-efficient alternatives. Obvious exceptions to the rule include models that still sell in decent numbers like the Jeep Liberty and the Chrysler Town & Country (which will eventually be replaced by a crossover-like vehicle).
Check out our gallery of discontinued cars above, then scroll down for more information.

Stellantis will give its brands 10 years to prove they deserve to live

Formed by the merger of PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles, Stellantis has 14 brands under its roof, a number that makes it one of the largest groups in the industry. Rumors claimed not every brand would survive, with Chrysler often earmarked to get axed, but the firm said it will give them all a chance to shine. "We're giving each (brand) a chance, giving each a time window of 10 years and giving funding for 10 years to do a core model strategy. The CEOs need to be clear in brand promise, customers, targets, and brand communications," announced Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares during the Financial Times' Future of the Car event. His comments confirm Chrysler fans and dealers don't need to worry about the future — at least not yet. And, against all odds, Lancia enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief, too. Former FCA head Sergio Marchionne warned of the brand's demise on several occasions. Alfa Romeo is safe for now, too, as is Vauxhall, which are basically just Opels sold in the United Kingdom with a different badge. The engagement made by Tavares also means Stellantis won't divest any of its brands to raise capital until at least 2031. It's now up to each executive team to make a case for the brand they run, an unusual survival-of-the-fittest strategy in an era when cutting costs is more common than spending cash. Diving into the vast Stellantis parts bin should help even the most troubled brands turn their fortunes around on a relatively tight budget. It seems likely that survive Chrysler will need to look beyond the 300 and the Pacifica/Voyager, the only models in its range, and completely reinvent its image, which is currently nebulous at best. Lancia, once the champion of luxury, performance, and innovation, faces the same challenge. It's not starting quite from scratch, it's relatively popular in its home country of Italy, but it will need to think globally and expand outside of the city car segment to survive. Featured Gallery 2020 Chrysler 300 View 24 Photos Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Citroen Lancia Opel Peugeot Vauxhall

The Dodge Demon sheds some weight in pursuit of speed

The Dodge Demon teaser train isn't stopping until it hits New York City. In case you need a reminder, the upcoming Demon is the more pedestrian Hellcat's stripped-down and hopped-up sibling that promises to be built for the sole purpose of traveling a quarter-mile mile quicker than any of its rivals. The weekly video rollout on www.ifyouknowyouknow.com continues with the latest sneak peak, "Reduction." While there were early rumors that the Demon may pack an all-wheel-drive system and in turn gain enough grip to rotate the Earth underneath it, Dodge and SRT look to be going down a simpler route. The press release reveals the Demon is 200 pounds lighter than the standard Hellcat. It's unclear where all that weight is coming from, but at nearly 4,500 pounds, the Challenger Hellcat could stand to go on a bit of a diet. The video hints at adjustments to the wheels, steering, suspension, and brakes, as well as some modifications to the car's interior. Don't be surprised if the Demon is a bare bones stripper model with no back seat, no A/C, and no radio. Who needs music when you have 2.4-liter supercharger and a 6.2-liter Hemi V8 making sweet love under the hood? Related Video: Image Credit: FCA Design/Style Marketing/Advertising New York Auto Show Dodge Coupe Future Vehicles Special and Limited Editions Performance dodge demon dodge hellcat