The Crossover Has Killed Another Handsome Sedan

Sedan lovers in the United Kingdom were devastated this week when Vauxhall announced theInsignia sedanis no more. According to a company spokesperson, the traditional three-box design has no place in the company's future lineup: "In line with UK market trends, and a focus on our move to electrification, Vauxhall has decided to close customer ordering for the Insignia model with immediate effect."

This follows the discontinuation of theBuick Regalin the USA. Thenow-defunct Regalwas, essentially, a rebadged Insignia and was culled not long after General Motors sold Opel/Vauxhall to the PSA Groupe. Vauxhall currently resides under the newly-formed Stellantis umbrella. Interestingly, the Opel-badged Insignia will live on in continental Europe. While the statement concedes that there's now a gap in the lineup, Vauxhall has said there are no plans to fill it.

Sadly, it's not the only midsize sedan to face the ax in recent years. The much-lovedMondeo was sent to its deathin March last year, after nearly three decades of dominating the European sales charts. Like the Insignia, the Mondeo faced internal threats from SUVs like the Kuga (Escape to you and me) and other similar vehicles.

This trend rages rampant in the United States, where the Volkswagen Passat was alsorelegated to the automotive retirement village(the same happened in Europe). Aside from escalating demand for crossovers and SUVs, Vauxhall has big plans for the electrified future. With plans to have a fully-electric derivative of all models, it's very possible that the aging Insignia had to be cut for the British brand to achieve said goal.