As this blue and green third rock from the sun completes its orbit around the pulsating red giant heat sphere, another year passes. 2023 could also see another record-breaking year of automotive sales in Malaysia.

Still, as we get accustomed to writing 2024 (or 2023A for the superstitious) on our calendar dates, we also would like to remember the key models that did not make it.

Bar certain variants that have been discontinued like the Mazda 3 1.5-litre variants and the Volkswagen Golf R-Line, we would like to memorialise 6 models that were discontinued in Malaysia in 2023.

Also read: The RM 170k CKD Mk8 VW Golf 1.4 TSI R-Line has been discontinued in Malaysia after just 1 year

For each model, we will be looking at why they were discontinued and see how they fare in retrospect. We will likely never see a direct successor for most of these models but they were all important to Malaysians starting with the longest-running model of all 6.

Proton Exora

Proton’s first and so far only homegrown MPV model was a major breakthrough when it was first introduced in 2009. The Proton Exora's wide array of features like individual air-cond vents, easy one-touch folding seats, and huge practicality from under RM 70k (in 2009) made it a runaway winner among Malaysians despite the initial range of lethargic naturally aspirated powertrains.

The addition of a turbocharger a few years later helped to give a little bit of a performance boost, but the Proton Exora’s arrival would prove to be a little too late as the MPV sales boom ended and buyers went for SUVs instead.

Still, the Exora maintained some popularity among families who wanted an affordable minivan to balik kampung in and small businesses that saw ample opportunities with its space.

Also read: MPVs aren't selling here, but how did the Proton Exora still grow in sales 14 years on?

14 years later, the Exora’s chapter reached its conclusion when the final unit rolled off the assembly line in October 2023. 196,583 units of the Exora have been built since 2009 and though demand for MPVs has dwindled, Proton recorded an 11.5% increase in sales for the ageing model during its final year.

Also read: Proton Exora records impressive 11.5% sales surge in its final year, bids farewell after nearly 200k units

Despite that surge in sales, Proton has no plans to launch a successor to the Exora. Parent company, Geely might have a suitable replacement in the form of the Jiaji but it would be too expensive to fill the Exora’s gap.

Besides, Proton said it would see little returns in developing its own all-new MPV as the market has migrated to SUVs.

Also read: Geely Jiaji scrapped, P1 confirmed no plans to replace Proton Exora - MPVs a diminishing market

For now, Proton has exited the MPV market and its indirect successor to the 7-seater segment is the Proton X90. Despite all the flaws and reliability issues that plagued the Exora, it was one of the best MPVs sold in Malaysia and likely beloved by every family that owns one.

Honda Accord

Since the late 1970s, the Honda Accord has been a mainstay for the H brand in Malaysia across ten generations but the all-new 11th-gen will not be arriving here. Honda Malaysia announced this back in August citing buyers’ preference for SUVs over traditional 3-box sedans.

Also read: Discontinued: 11th generation 2024 Honda Accord is not coming to Malaysia

That meant the all-new CR-V takes over the Accord’s mantle as the flagship locally assembled (CKD) Honda model as the outgoing tenth-generation Accord bows out of the country. Honda’s website still lists the Accord for sale with two variants priced from RM 187,400 for the 1.5 TC and RM 197,400 for the 1.5 TC-P.

The Accord is one of the oldest nameplates in Malaysia and along with the Civic helped to push the brand towards international acclaim. The all-new 11th-gen is certainly the most advanced generation but as seen in our neighbours, it would be priced even closer to Continental marques which hold more prestigious values.

Also read: All-new hybrid-only 2024 Honda Accord launched in Indonesia with a massive 21% price jump

Honda BR-V

By 2017, the Malaysian MPV boom was pretty much over and every carmaker practically gave up the market following the arrival of the Proton Exora and first-generation Perodua Alza. The launch of the Malaysian options meant game over for non-Malaysian brands in the affordable MPV segment.

No one gave Honda Malaysia the memo but it saw an opportunity with the Honda BR-V. Essentially a jacked-up Honda Mobilio which never made it to Malaysia with plastic cladding, the BR-V’s faux-by-faux looks made it especially appealing during the rise of crossover popularity.

Starting from RM 85,800 at launch, the BR-V became a worthy rival in the sub-RM 100k 7-seater category and was an exciting option against the cheaper but also ageing Malaysian rivals. That pricing strategy was also one of the reasons why the second-generation BR-V never arrived here.

Also read: All-new Honda BR-V to cost more than RM 100k. Bookings opened in Thailand, price up 22%

With the all-new Alza more competitively priced, the decision to not bring in the all-new BR-V into Malaysia might be unfortunate for those hoping to get one. After 6 years and 3 months on sale with a facelift launched in between, Honda Malaysia eventually pulled the plug on the BR-V for good in April.

Also read: Farewell Honda BR-V - discontinued after 6 years, Honda exits 7-seater segments

Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra was one of the first Hyundai models to enter CKD production in Malaysia back in 2001 with the XD generation. Things have certainly changed for Hyundai and the CN7 generation Elantra is visual proof of that.

More than a massive glow-up, the current generation Elantra is offered with a huge array of engine choices including a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with a 6-speed manual transmission that makes 280 PS and 392 Nm. Sadly, that pumped-up Elantra is not the one offered in Malaysia by Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM).

Also read: No longer sold in Malaysia, Thailand launches Hyundai Elantra, with N badge, 280 PS, cheaper than Type R

Instead, back in late 2020, HSDM offered the fully imported (CBU) from Korea CN7 Elantra with a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre SmartStream petrol unit that makes 123 PS and 154 Nm. Paired with a CVT-type automatic transmission, two variants were offered – Executive (RM 139,888) and Premium (RM 158,888).

Also read: All-new 2021 Hyundai Elantra launched in Malaysia, priced from RM 158,888, full ADAS, CBU Korea

Despite the good looks both inside and out, the combination of price and powertrain didn’t make the Elantra a convincing buy. Rivals like the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Toyota Corolla Altis literally gave the Korean superstar their run for the money and HSDM would quietly remove the model from its website in 2023.

Hyundai Sonata

The second italic H model in our memoriam, the eighth-generation DN8 Hyundai Sonata was launched in Malaysia by HSDM around late 2020, a few months before the CN7 Elantra. The Sonata made its return to the Malaysian market after a 2-year hiatus and it was also CBU Korea like the Elantra.

Priced from RM 189,888, only one variant was offered which was powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol engine making 180 PS and 232 Nm. This was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission that drove the front wheels.

The current generation Sonata definitely looks the part, casting away the nasty, poor man’s Jaguar imitation from two decades ago. Yet, you barely see the new Sonata on the road and you would likely never see one in the showroom as HSDM also quietly removed the Korean Camry and Accord rival from its website last year.

Also read: Review: Hyundai Sonata (DN8) – Is this enough to topple the Camry and Accord?

Besides, this generation Sonata could even be the last as Korean media reported that Hyundai has no plans to introduce an all-new 9th-gen Sonata. While sales of the sedan have been slipping even domestically, the reason for its discontinuation is due to Hyundai focusing more on electrification efforts instead.

Also read: No successor for DN8 Hyundai Sonata, Ioniq range takes priority as EV shift intensifies

Volkswagen Passat

Technically, the B8 Volkswagen Passat was discontinued in 2022 but Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) made the formal announcement in January 2023. Out of all the Continental rivals in the D-segment sedan market, only the Passat truly become a major sales threat to the reigning Japanese.

Also read: After 15 years and 3 generations, the VW Passat gets discontinued in Malaysia

Across 3 generations beginning with the B6 Passat in 2006, the major shift for the model in Malaysia began in 2012 when CKD assembly of its successor, the B7 Passat was introduced. Four years later, the B8 Passat made its local debut directly as a CKD model.

Offered with two variants, both the Passat Elegance and Passat R-Line are powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder TSI petrol engine. Initially, both variants produced the same output (190 PS/320 Nm) but in 2022, the R-Line received a bump in power to make 220 PS and 350 Nm.

Also read: Volkswagen Passat R-Line - 20 photos to remind you the GTI Sedan is back

During its final year of sales, the Passat Elegance was priced from RM 182,658 while the Passat R-Line was priced from RM 211,916. It was priced very competitively against the established Japanese D-segment sedans but as sales of large sedans are seeing a downturn, the B8 Passat would turn out to be its last for the global market.

In most markets, the Passat name is retired in sedan form with the B9 successor strictly offered as a station wagon. The Passat sedan soldiers on in China and North America but it is vastly different from what Malaysia and other global markets offer.

Also read: All-new 2023 VW Passat to launch in September but Malaysia won't be getting it

These are 6 models that Malaysians waved farewell to in 2023. Which one are you beginning to miss the most as we enter 2023A 2024?