VIPER, TOUAREG AMONG 15 MODELS SENT TO SCRAP HEAP

Every year, the automotive tide washes new models into showrooms — and drags old ones away.

Among the departing models this time are a few that never caught on with customers, along with some well- known names.

With auto sales expected to fall for the first time since 2009, car companies have a greater incentive to cut the number of models they offer. Yet at the same time, most major makers still want to try to offer a model in every major automotive category.

“Even though the market is shrinking a bit, manufacturers still need a full- line offering to be competitive,” says Jessica Caldwell, an analyst for Edmunds. com, a car- buying website.

Some are likely to be gone forever while others will take a break.

Among those nameplates saying adios for the 2018 model year:

Buick Verano. General Motors is cutting the compact Verano as part of a reduction in the number of cars overall. It still has the larger LaCrosse and the Regal for 2018.

Chevrolet SS. The SS was a favorite among performance fans. But the SS is going away because GM closed the factory in Australia where it was made. Chrysler 200. Fiat Chrysler never made a hit out of it even though it was heavily advertised and competed in the popular midsize car segment. Dodge Viper. The Viper was Dodge’s performance leader. Infiniti QX70. Newer SUVs are on the way.