The automotive world is shifting at an unprecedented pace. With technological advances and new environmental regulations on the horizon, many car models are facing the fate of becoming “dead” by 2025. Car and Driver’s recent article on “Dead Cars and Trucks 2025” highlights how many familiar models might vanish from our roads as manufacturers pivot toward electric and hybrid technologies. At Rizz Lending, we see these changes not as the end of an era, but as an opportunity—a chance to rethink how we finance our automotive dreams and invest in vehicles that will shape the future.
A Changing Landscape
Not too long ago, the idea of a car that doesn’t rely on an internal combustion engine was almost unthinkable. Now, with tightening emissions standards and consumer demand for greener technology, automakers are shifting gears. Major brands are phasing out older, less efficient models in favor of electrified powertrains. Car and Driver’s article illustrates this by identifying specific cars and trucks that will likely be discontinued by 2025. While some enthusiasts may lament the end of these iconic models, there’s a silver lining for savvy buyers and investors.
The Cars “Dying” in 2025
1. Bugatti Chiron
The arrival of the Bugatti Tourbillon also marks the end of the line for the Bugatti Chiron. After approximately eight years on the market, the Chiron’s 500-unit run ends with the 2024 model year. It’s not yet the end of the line for Bugatti’s quad-turbo 8.0-liter W-16 engine, though, as the engine lives on for the 2025 model year powering the open-top Mistral. Nonetheless, the W-16’s days are numbered, as evidenced by the new V-16 in the gas-electric hybrid Tourbillon.
2. Chevy Camaro
Chevrolet’s pulling the plug on the Camaro . . . again. The bow-tie brand first nixed the two-door muscle car in the early 2000s, only to bring it back for 2010. The reborn Camaro was a looker saddled with middling chassis dynamics and gun-slit windows that limited outward visibility. A redesign for 2016 fixed the former issue while arguably exacerbating the latter. Sharing underpinnings with the era’s Cadillac ATS and CTS (now CT4 and CT5), the sixth-generation Camaro had the chutzpah its predecessor lacked, and it ended up earning a spot on our 2016, 2017, and 2018 10Best lists. Alas, dwindling sales eventually led Chevy to call it quits on the Camaro, and the American brand unceremoniously marked the model’s final year with an available Collector Edition getup. Still, Chevy claims it’s not ready to retire the Camaro name yet, and it plans to affix the moniker to a seventh-generation model in the coming years.
3. Ferrari 812
The introduction of the Ferrari 12Cilindri marks the death of the Italian automaker’s 812 model line. It seems there’s just not enough room in Modena for two front-engine V-12 two-door models. Though the 12Cilindri is sure to whet the appetites of Ferrari fans hungry for a 12-cylinder grand tourer bearing the prancing horse badge, its retro-inspired design lacks the flamboyance of the outgoing 812—especially in Competizione guise. We’re sure future variants of the 12Cilindri will kick the model’s style and performance up a couple of notches, but we’ll still always hold a special place in our hearts for the 812.
4. Ferrari Roma
Like the Roman Empire, the Ferrari Roma is no more. But the space this slick-looking two-door filled in Ferrari’s lineup won’t be vacant for long, as the prancing horse has been caught testing a vehicle that looks an awful lot like an updated Roma. Whether this vehicle will retain the Roma name, however, remains a mystery.
5. Jaguar F-Type
The Jaguar F-type ends its decade-plus run with the 2024 model year. Though Jaguar offered the two-door coupe and convertible with four-, six-, and eight-cylinder engine options throughout its model run, only the V-8 setup survived to power the sports car in the final years of its life.
6. Lamborghini Huracan
The Huracán was the “entry-level” Lamborghini sports car of sorts, providing a sensational follow-up to the Gallardo and expanding Lambo’s global sales significantly throughout its production run. Its screaming V-10 engine, shared with the now-defunct Audi R8, was mid-mounted and gave this “baby” Lambo a distinct character compared to its V-12 stablemates. An all-terrain Sterrato variant (pictured) sent it off with a bang. Next up is the Temerario, which aims to continue in the spirit of the Huracán but goes about its business in an entirely different way: its sole powertrain is a plug-in-hybrid setup with a V-8.
7. Nissan GT-R
We all know that it’s difficult to kill Godzilla, and this applies to Nissan’s high-tech sports car, as well. The R35 generation lasted from 2008 until 2024 and has received myriad updates over the years. Though it still looks mostly the same as it did way back when, its power output has gone up steadily, with the NISMO version ultimately producing 600 horsepower from the car’s twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-6. Once a technological powerhouse, the current GT-R’s complex all-wheel-drive system has since been eclipsed by newer competitors. Still, Nissan will have big shoes to fill with the next-generation GT-R, which will no doubt incorporate some sort of electrification.
Opportunity Amid Change
So, what does this mean for you as a prospective car buyer? For those with a passion for the automotive world, these market shifts present a unique window of opportunity. As manufacturers discontinue older models, prices on some “dead” cars can drop—making them more accessible than ever. In the right hands, a well-maintained vehicle with a limited production run can become a prized collector’s item in the future.
At the same time, the rise of exotic and high-performance electric vehicles opens up an entirely new category for financing. Models like the Rimac Nevera, Lotus Evija, and Pininfarina Battista are pushing the boundaries of performance and technology. While they come with steep price tags, their rarity and technological innovation could make them highly desirable assets down the road.
Apply for a Loan Today with Rizz Lending
At Rizz Lending, we specialize in exotic and luxury car financing, and we’re uniquely positioned to help you make informed decisions in this evolving market. Whether you’re interested in a soon-to-be-discontinued classic or a cutting-edge electric hypercar, our team understands the nuances of these transactions.! Click the button below to apply for a Rizz Lending loan today!
