Why was the Roewe RX8 discontinued?

[DiKevin]

Roewe RX8 was positioned to compete with the top tier in the industry. In May 2020, only 542 units of the Roewe RX8 were sold, with a total of 3,043 units sold in the first five months, which was less than one month's sales from the previous year. This model did not gain the market recognition the manufacturer had anticipated. Below is relevant information about the Roewe RX8: Introduction: The Roewe RX8 is a new vehicle from SAIC. SAIC Group officially released the official images of the Roewe RX8, positioning it as a mid-to-large luxury SUV. Exterior: The Roewe RX8 can be considered another masterpiece of Roewe's 'Rhythm Design' language. The front features an integrated grille and full-LED headlights, delivering a highly technological visual effect. The headlights use dual-lens low beams and full-LED technology, with two built-in light guides. The fog lights employ four matrix-style full-LED lens units, leveraging curved surface variations to create four powerful wheel arch contours.

[JaxsonMarie]

The discontinuation of the Roewe RX8 is essentially a result of market selection. Positioned as a hardcore off-road SUV, its body-on-frame design was indeed distinctive, but its terrifyingly high fuel consumption—easily reaching 12-13 liters per 100 km in urban driving—deterred many potential buyers, especially with today's soaring fuel prices. Additionally, meeting the increasingly stringent China VI emission standards would have required costly modifications to its outdated platform. SAIC Motor naturally prioritized allocating resources to new energy vehicles and popular models like the best-selling RX5. Market feedback for the RX8 was also problematic: its infotainment system felt outdated, the interior was criticized for its heavy use of cheap plastics, and its resale value was disappointingly low. Ultimately, unsustainable sales volumes led to its inevitable discontinuation.

[RobertRose]

I think SAIC's discontinuation of the Roewe RX8 is a strategic adjustment. With new energy vehicles being so popular now, manufacturers are focusing all their efforts on electric and hybrid models. The RX8, a pure fuel-powered large SUV, has been using the same development platform for many years, and the cost of upgrading it is too high. Moreover, the market segment has changed—previously, rugged off-road vehicles had some appeal, but now consumers prefer urban SUVs that emphasize fuel efficiency, smart features, and spacious interiors. The RX8's part-time four-wheel-drive system is cumbersome to maintain, and many owners regret purchasing it due to its high fuel consumption. Companies have to consider the economics—there are too many alternatives at the same price point, and the RX8's competitiveness has indeed fallen behind.

[VonAddyson]

Drove my friend's old RX8, honestly not surprised it was discontinued. The chassis tuning is quite solid, but the powertrain issues are obvious - the 2.0T engine struggles with such a large body, and the transmission always feels half a beat slow. Maintenance isn't hassle-free either, with long waits for parts at 4S shops and many mechanics at independent garages being unfamiliar with this model. In the used car market now, three-year-old RX8s have depreciated severely, with resale values significantly lower than comparable domestic models. Seeing increasingly dismal sales reports, it's normal for manufacturers to discontinue unprofitable models - keeping the production line running would just waste resources.

[McOscar]

From a technological iteration perspective, it's understandable why the RX8 was phased out. It still used an older-generation platform architecture, with a body over 200kg heavier than mainstream SUVs. Nowadays, new vehicles are adopting lightweight materials, putting this model at a natural disadvantage in fuel efficiency. Its intelligent features are also outdated - while new domestic models come standard with L2 autonomous driving, the RX8 didn't even have adaptive cruise control. Particularly after 2020 when policy direction shifted, the dual-credit policy forced automakers to reduce production of high-fuel-consumption models. To maintain market share, Roewe had to focus its efforts on trend-aligned products like DMH hybrid systems.

[MacBennett]

Product line adjustment is the main reason. SAIC is now mainly promoting the Roewe D7 and RX5 series, so resources for fuel vehicles are bound to shrink. The RX8 has always been a niche product, with monthly sales often not exceeding 1,000 units. Keeping production lines idle is too costly. In the same price range, the Maxus D90 is also competing for market share, making internal competition among sibling brands unnecessary. Consumer preferences are clear—most buyers in the midsize SUV segment are now opting for new energy vehicles. Frankly, during my test drive, I noticed issues with the third-row seating design—the seats are thin and upright, making long trips uncomfortable. These accumulated details naturally affect reputation and sales.