6 Car Brands That Might Not Survive the Next Few Years
You might think car brands are rock-solid, but 2025 is proving that’s far from true. With new EV mandates, rising interest rates, and cut-throat market competition, some automakers are quietly struggling. Even big names are shuttering factories, slashing models, or relying on cross-brand deals just to survive. Knowing which car brands are at risk helps you stay informed—whether you’re shopping or investing. Here are six brands fighting for their future.
1. Nissan: Factory Closures Signal Major Trouble
Nissan announced it will shut its historic Oppama plant in Japan by March 2028 as part of a global restructuring plan. This move is part of a broader effort to cut capacity, reduce workforce by 20,000, and tackle a ¥670 billion (~$4.5 billion) loss in fiscal 2024. The company is also slimming its global factory footprint from 17 to 10 and reducing annual output from 3.5 million to 2.5 million units. In an attempt to stay afloat, Nissan is entering a manufacturing partnership with Honda—pivoting to produce Honda trucks in the U.S.—and heavily banking on its hybrid ePower tech to stabilize. Still, declining sales in the U.S. and China leave the brand hanging by a thread.
2. Tesla: Falling Sales & Leadership Turmoil
Tesla’s U.S. EV deliveries dropped 13% year-over-year in Q2 2025, with overall global sales down about 6%. That’s a problem for a brand whose identity is tied to constant growth and innovation. Adding to the pressure, key sales executives are quitting, creating instability at the top. Wall Street has lowered Tesla’s 2025 delivery forecast from 2.1 million to 1.7 million units. With shrinking corporate subsidies and growing competition in EVs, Tesla risks losing market share—and momentum—just when it counts most.
3. Jaguar: On Pause Amid Electrification Stumbles
Jaguar is basically “taking a year off” in 2025 due to slow EV rollout and outdated ICE models. The luxury British brand sold a mere 13,210 U.S. vehicles in 2024, one of the lowest totals among major automakers. As sales languish, dealerships are likely to close or merge, putting the brand’s distribution network at risk. Their lack of new EV releases and unclear path to electrification leave investors and consumers skeptical. Without a bold comeback, the Jaguar could vanish from North American roads.
4. Arcimoto & Faraday Future: EV Startups Running on Empty
Even bold EV startups are collapsing. Arcimoto, known for its quirky three-wheeled FUV, has been delisted and failed to scale production, leaving bills and massive investor losses. Meanwhile, Faraday Future delivered only 16 vehicles through January 2025, then pivoted to rebrand Chinese vans after near collapse. Both companies are struggling financially, with layoffs, frozen assets, and no clear path to profitability. EV hype alone couldn’t keep them alive—staying afloat requires scale and capital that few startups can access.
5. Canoo & Qiantu: EV Failures & Bankruptcies
Bankruptcy isn’t just for legacy brands—Canoo, a U.S. EV startup founded in 2017, filed for Chapter 7 in January 2025, exiting the market entirely. Similarly, China’s Qiantu Motor collapsed in January 2025 under roughly ¥72 million RMB of debt. Both targeted niche EV markets with bold ambitions but lacked sales, funding, or infrastructure to compete. Their failures highlight the harsh reality: not every EV brand survives the transition, despite green credentials or investor buzz.
6. Stellantis Budget Brands: Fiat, Chrysler, DS & Abarth
Stellantis may be a powerhouse, but some of its sub-brands are struggling to stay relevant. Fiat, Chrysler, DS, and Abarth are noted among its weakest performers, dragging profits down 70% in 2024. EV plans are either delayed or entirely scrapped—Chrysler’s Airflow and Maserati’s MC20 Folgore are on hold. With low sales and little investment, they’re at constant risk of being shuttered or absorbed. Stellantis has even hired consultants to evaluate its future. Without serious reinvention, these car brands may quietly disappear.
The Road Ahead Is Harsh—Only the Strong Will Survive
From factory closures and plunging sales to startup bankruptcies and neglected budgets, the global auto market is drawing a brutal line: winners in, losers out. These six car brands are under immense pressure in 2025, with massive restructuring, shrinking lineups, and financial woes putting their futures at risk. If you’re car shopping, investing, or just curious, know which names are fighting for their survival—and why. For consumers, it could mean better deals; for investors, a cautionary tale; for brand loyalists, a major wake-up call.
Which of these car brands surprises you the most? Have you considered switching brands because of the uncertainty? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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