3 Car Brands That probably Won’t Make It to 2030

by Justin Fischer | Last updated Jul 26, 2025 | Car Buying, Electric Vehicles, New Cars, News

The auto industry is in a shake-up era. With shifting consumer tastes, sticky inflation, and the messy EV transition all colliding at once, several car brands are dangerously close to being pushed out of the U.S. market. And that’s before we even take tariffs into consideration.

We’re taking a close look at three brands with unvertain futures: Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, and Maserati. These three endangered brands all fall under the Stellantis umbrella, along with 11 other car brands. But it doesn’t end there. We’ll also explain why Nissan is in trouble, even if it has a bit more breathing room than the others.

“This is survival of the fittest,” says CarEdge Co-Founder and industry veteran Ray Shefska. “If you don’t have scale, domestic manufacturing, or a clear product roadmap, you’re on thin ice.”

Let’s take a look at how three car brands in peril are faring, and how a fourth might not be far behind.

Chrysler: Down to One Model

Chrysler is clinging to a single model: the Chrysler Pacifica minivan. With the Chrysler 300 gone and no other gas-powered vehicles left, the brand’s entire future hinges on a vague promise to go all-electric by 2028.

The problem? There’s no clear plan. The Chrysler Airflow concept has been put on hold indefinitely. No Chrysler EVs are in showrooms, and electric sales are stagnating in the U.S. It’s unclear if parent company Stellantis has noticed that consumers aren’t exactly rushing out to buy an electric minivan.

Ray explains:
“You can’t put all your chips on one vehicle, especially in a niche market. The Pacifica is great, but it’s not going to save Chrysler on its own. It remains to be seen if Chrysler has a game plan for beyond 2026. Right now it’s all speculation.”

Why Chrysler’s Future Looks Shaky

• Chrysler sales rely entirely on one model, the Pacifica minivan.
  
• Any legacy car brand having an all-electric future is looking less likely.
  
• Brand identity is murky: is Chrysler even a luxury brand anymore?

Unless Stellantis delivers a compelling lineup fast, Chrysler may fade into irrelevance before it gets the chance to reinvent itself. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pacifica join the Dodge family to clear the path for sunsetting the Chrysler brand.

Maserati: A Luxury Brand Bleeding Money

Maserati is supposed to be Stellantis’ crown jewel. But in 2025, it’s looking more like a financial anchor.

Here’s how bad it is:

• Global sales fell 58% in one year (from 26,600 in 2023 to just 11,300 in 2024).
  
• Operating losses exceeded $260 million last year.
  
• Stellantis wrote off $1.6 billion in canceled EV projects tied to the brand.
  

And there’s no cavalry coming. No new models are scheduled until mid-2026, and existing vehicles like the Grecale and MC20 aren’t selling in meaningful numbers.

Ray’s take:
“If Maserati weren’t a luxury badge, it probably would’ve been shut down already. But even brand equity can only buy so much time.”

If Stellantis can’t find a buyer — or a miracle — Maserati’s exit from the U.S. might be a matter of when, not if.

Alfa Romeo: Shrinking Sales, No U.S. Plan

After returning to the United States in 2014 following a 20-year absence, the brand has seen its fair share of struggles. U.S. sales are in steep decline, and new models have failed to turn things around. After peaking at over 18,000 units in 2021, Alfa Romeo’s U.S. sales dropped to just 8,868 in 2024.

There’s no new product pipeline for the U.S., and dealers are struggling to move inventory. Dealers are packed with 208 days of market supply as of July 2025. Giulia and Stelvio sales continue to slide, and the brand’s market share has fallen to well under 1% of the American car market. Meanwhile, parent company Stellantis is undergoing a strategic review of Alfa Romeo amid financial losses and big ambitions for a turnaround.

Ray Shefska puts it bluntly:

“Alfa Romeo’s a brand with no clear future in the U.S. If the next model isn’t a hit, it could quietly vanish from this market.”

Why Alfa Romeo Is at Risk

• U.S. sales dropped from 18,252 in 2021 to just 8,865 in all of 2024.
  
• Giulia and Stelvio sales fell further in 2025, despite being top models.
  
• The Tonale became Alfa Romeo’s top U.S. seller, yet still declined 28%.
  
• Stellantis posted a $2.7 billion loss in H1 2025, and is likely reviewing Alfa Romeo’s future.

We can’t count Alfa Romeo out just yet, but it’s not looking good for the brand’s future in North America.

Nissan’s Still Here: Challenges Remain

Nissan isn’t in immediate danger of disappearing from the U.S. market, but there’s no denying the brand is struggling.

Recent signs of trouble:

• Nissan posted a $4.5 billion net loss in 2024.
• 20,000 jobs were cut as restructuring continues.
• Nissan’s first overseas plant is being shuttered by 2027.
• Once-popular models like the Altima and Versa are being discontinued after this year.
• Tariffs and supply chain issues continue to disrupt production in Mexico.

That said, Nissan is still a volume player with global scale and a decent EV head start. The Ariya and LEAF haven’t set the world on fire, but Nissan’s investments in product refreshes and future battery tech could help it turn a corner — if it survives the next few years.

Can Nissan Recover?

Nissan’s global footprint gives it some flexibility, and its strong brand recognition in the U.S. still holds value. However, to stay relevant, the automaker needs a bold strategy to reclaim leadership in the years to come.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

If you’re shopping one of these brands, resale value and long-term support should be front of mind. Vehicles from discontinued brands often take a resale hit and may be harder to maintain over time. Take a look at today’s resale values for the Pontiac, Saturn, and Oldsmobile brands, for example.

That said, it’s not all bad news. Struggling brands often see heavy discounts at the dealership, especially if inventory builds up. Be sure to stay on top of the latest deals of the month with CarEdge’s Deal Hub.

We’ll be tracking what happens to these brands closely in the months ahead. Bookmark CarEdge for updates, or subscribe to our free newsletter to stay ahead of the curve.

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