The popular Ford Fiesta is set to be discontinued as early as next year as costs of parts rise and drivers opt for SUVs, the BBC understands.
Ford bosses are expected to announce in the next few days that the production of the Fiesta will end by mid-2023.
Executives are believed to be holding talks with dealers, suppliers and staff ahead of the announcement.
The Sun first reported that Ford had no plans for an electric version of the car despite its popularity.
A spokesman for Ford said that it was “accelerating our efforts to go all in on electrification”, and so the company is reviewing the portfolio of cars it has on offer.
He added that the carmaker does not comment on speculation and that more information would be made available soon.
In recent years, it has been displaced by newer models such as the Puma. Although last month, the Fiesta was still the sixth best-selling new car in the UK with 4,570 registrations, according to the latest data from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers.
Ford is thought to be using electrification as an opportunity to reinvent the brand for eco-conscious consumers.
They have already announced an electric version of the F-150 pickup, one of the best-selling vehicles in the US, and launched an electric SUV under the Mustang brand.
As the UK’s 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars approaches, it is thought the Puma, a smaller, hybrid, SUV, will take the lead as the more affordable option as Ford puts more of its focus on design.
It has already dropped the Focus model too, without an electric version tipped for production.
The company, which is investing $50bn (£43.bn) globally through 2026 to electrify its fleet, now says it is on track to deliver more than two million electric vehicles annually by 2026.
