Automotive
Dodge just hit the delete key on its most cost-effective latest vehicle, and it’s a move with ripple effects for anyone who wanted into the brand without stepping as much as a much bigger, pricier SUV. The Dodge Hornet is officially out of production, and the explanation is just not a redesign or a brand new generation waiting within the wings. It comes right down to the present tariff environment hitting imports harder, with the Hornet’s Italy-based production making it especially vulnerable.
The Hornet was in-built Pomigliano d’Arco, Italy, which put it within the crosshairs of a 25% duty on European imports. That makes it tough to maintain a compact crossover priced and positioned the best way Dodge intended, especially as costs stack up across the industry. Dodge’s own messaging points to policy changes because the catalyst, while also stressing that existing owners will still get support, warranty coverage, service, and parts availability though latest production is finished.
The Dodge Hornet incorporates a vehicle-width taillamp with a middle illuminated Dodge Rhombi logo — a primary for a Dodge vehicle.
If this looks like it got here out of nowhere, it really didn’t. Last summer, Dodge paused Hornet production while the corporate weighed the impact of U.S. tariff policies, and that pause turned out to be the start of the top. The Hornet debuted for the 2023 model 12 months and only made it through three model years, which is a brief run by any modern standard. For 2025, pricing began at $31,990, making it the accessible entry point to the Dodge badge for shoppers who wanted something smaller than a Durango.
Premium interior touches for the Dodge Hornet R/T and GT include class-exclusive Alcantara seats featuring an embroidered Dodge Rhombi logo, included with the optional Track Pack.
Now the entry ticket to a brand new Dodge gets noticeably steeper. With the Hornet gone, the lineup leans heavily on the Durango for SUV shoppers, and the gap between “most reasonably priced” and “next available” gets wider fast. It also leaves the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet’s platform sibling, because the closest alternative within the Stellantis family, though it plays in a special space and typically costs more. For Dodge, the larger story is how quickly the market can force a brand to simplify, especially when policy, pricing pressure, and demand all collide at the identical time.
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Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a automobile enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that transcend the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design along with his skilled precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the location each sharp and forward-thinking.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
