Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Cars With Star Potential That Fizzled Fast

When legendary businessman Alfred P. Sloan took over General Motors in the 1920s, he saw limitless opportunity for the automobile industry to grow and innovate where others were simply satisfied with building and selling cars. In the process, he invented the modern American corporation, along with the hype machine of market research, public relations and advertising that comes with it. Sometimes that hype is worthy, and the hundreds of millions of dollars sunk into the development of a new "wonder car" pay off. Often, however, these upstarts don't live up to their inflated promises, resulting in spectacular flops. For every smash hit that Ford has created, such as the Mustang, it has also produced a bust of epic proportions, such as the Edsel. Here, we run down 10 of most hyped failures of all time.

Cadillac Cimarron


The Cadillac Cimarron was GM's first attempt at selling a compact car bearing the name of its most prestigious brand. Launched in 1982 to counter the rise of smaller European luxury cars, it was little more than a misguided, ill-designed, rushed and remarkably botched effort that seriously hurt the Cadillac brand. Built on GM's unremarkable and inexpensive front-wheel-drive J-car platform, the Cimarron was initially powered by a puny and rough 1.8-liter 85-horsepower 4-cylinder engine with an iron block. Chrome moldings and an array of typical Cadillac accessories lured too few buyers. Subsequent upgrades to a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a proper 2.8-liter V6 could not spare the Cimarron its demise in 1988.

Chevrolet Vega


Still reeling from the Corvair debacle, which stemmed from that car's air-cooled rear engine and quirky handling, GM took a more conservative route for its next foray into the subcompact segment. But its engineers could not help using unproven new techniques such as full-body rust-proofing and an aluminum engine block. The Vega looked mighty good when it launched as a 1971 model, and initially it sold well. Soon, however, front fenders started rusting through and its lethargic engine was plagued with serious oil-guzzling problems. After a hasty redesign in 1974, the formerly elegant Vega was euthanized in 1977.

Chrysler Airflow


Few cars have been so far ahead of their time as the Chrysler Airflow, and none has better illustrated the perils of untimely pioneering. Introduced in 1934, the Airflow was the first car built with aerodynamic efficiency as a prime inspiration. Its smooth "waterfall" grille, integrated fenders and contoured tail were radical departures indeed. But the car's design proved too radical for American car buyers, and the Airflow was shunned. It would take several decades and two oil crises for aerodynamic design to become desirable.

Chrysler Pacifica


There certainly was no lack of ambition on Chrysler's part when then-CEO Dieter Zetsche somewhat imprudently introduced the Pacifica as a future "segment buster" at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. After spending a short 30 months and a reputed $1 billion developing this "sports tourer," Chrysler launched the Pacifica in 2004. This supposed blend of wagon, van and SUV attributes was neither spacious nor very practical, and a weight of more than 2 tons blunted the performance and fuel economy of its 3.5-liter 250-horsepower V6 engine. Quality and reliability issues were no help, and a grittier 4.0-liter V6 added in 2007 could not save it from extinction a year later.

Ford Edsel


It's unfortunate that the name Edsel has become synonymous with utter failure, because Henry Ford's eldest son, after whom the car was named, had been such a positive and progressive force within the company and auto industry. Four Edsel models were introduced in 1958 as the first of a new division within Ford. Their immediate failure is invariably blamed on their curiously pouting front grille and technical attributes more conventional than what the advance billing had promised, in spite of innovations such as steering-mounted transmission controls and optional seat belts. The Edsel brand was killed in a mere three years.

The New Ford Thunderbird



The hardest thing with success is to sustain or repeat it. The first 1955-57 Thunderbird is a true classic. It subsequently gained a rear seat and rear-hinged rear doors, but mostly it just grew in size and weight. Ford looked back to the original when it chose to let the bird rise from the ashes once again in 2002. Built on a solid platform, the new T-Bird 2-seater looked the part and drove nicely. But the powerboat tail, dual exhaust tips and that rumble from its 3.9-liter V8 engine were not enough, and sales virtually flat-lined after a year. The world had changed and the new 'Bird was dropped in 2005.

Honda (Accord) Crosstour


Honda ventured into the vast, nebulous and quickly expanding world of crossovers with the Crosstour in 2010. First sold as a variant of the Accord model, and built on the same platform, it is wider, longer and taller by several inches and yet manages to be less spacious. It's also heavier and thirstier, and the cargo bay under its rear hatch is nothing exceptional. The sloping rear roofline and high seatbacks hamper rear visibility. Having shed its Accord middle name for 2012, the Crosstour still provides an answer to the proverbial question that no one has asked.

Infiniti Q45


Infiniti's confidence in its original 1990 Q45 flagship was such that it did not even use photos of it in its advertising. The Q really was impressive, with a lusty-sounding 4.5-liter 278-horsepower V8 engine. It handled and performed better than the original Lexus LS and matched the top German iron. It eschewed traditional luxury cues such as wood trim and a large grille in favor of black lacquer and a sculpted crest. But its makers underestimated the conservative tastes of luxury car buyers, and it sold poorly. Plusher versions introduced in 1994 and 2002 never made a dent in the sales of the Lexus LS or leading European rivals. The Q45 was retired in 2006.

Toyota Tundra


The full-size pickup segment was the last remaining stronghold of domestic automakers — that is, until the Toyota Tundra hit the market. It was bold, large and powerful version of its small Tacoma pickup. But it was introduced in 2007, and a gigantic financial meltdown was brewing. Toyota was also plagued at the time by numerous recalls and quality concerns. Because of these travails and in spite of attractive features such as a 5.7-liter 381-horsepower V8 engine, the Tundra has yet to demonstrate the grit to even slightly indispose its American rivals.

Volkswagen Phaeton


What Volkswagen Chairman Ferdinand Piëch wants, he usually gets. This includes a full-size luxury sedan that was briefly accessible to American buyers. The Phaeton was launched as a 2004 model with the choice of either a 4.2-liter 335-horsepower V8 or a 6.0-liter 420-horsepower W12 engine. It was built on the same platform as the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur models, no less. Sales were dismal in the United States, and the Phaeton was discontinued in the U.S after 2006. At that time, the top model was a 4-seater powered by a 444-horsepower version of the W12 engine that sold for a mere $101,300. The Phaeton is still sold in Europe.

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/cars-...=autos_2160#12

Toys4RJill

What about the Lexus HS flop?

LexFather

Maybe you should read the article. Another jab at Lexus.

Toys4RJill

Whatev's, I call it like I see it. Jab or no jab, the HS was a flop.

Fizzboy7

HS would be right up there. Lots of anticipation, but unfortunately it didn't work out too well.
For what it's worth, the photo of the VW Phaeton is not the model that failed here. That is the updated version that is currently sold in Europe.
Also, the Tundra sells quite well here in L.A. I guess it's the bread and butter heartland that hasn't embraced it.

speedflex

Surprised at how good the Vega looks. I remember them well rumbling around in the 70s.

Toys4RJill

The Tundra should not be on the list. It has sold close to 1 million units since 99 and is on the second generation and will go on for a third.

The HS is the only Toyota or Lexus in the last ten years that has been introduced and then canned shortly after introduction.

caddyowner

LOL the Vega did not rumble (except for those with a transplanted V8 for drag racing). Clatter around, yes - rumble, no.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

I loved the old Q45's and I always thought the new Tundras were pretty popular? I see Tundras everywhere now and they're almost as common as the American trucks.

FrankReynoldsCPA

Tundra depends on where you are, and if you need a real truck or not. Here in Southern Utah is Ford/Chevy/Dodge territory, where one-ton diesel engines rule. The Tundras are more popular among the yuppie crowd around here, or among urban high schoolers.

bruce van

What about that Chevy pickup/convertible thing that I can't seem to remember the name of?

madmax2k1

Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Pontiac G8

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

That's a good point. Here in central Oklahoma I see them everywhere. I also see them a lot in Texas too.

Mr. Burns

A spectacular flop.

Fizzboy7

Chevy SSR. Was discontinued a few years ago.