The year 2020 will go down as one of the worst for mankind. It was, however, a good year for cars. Everything from the new Corvette to the Bronco unveiling made it a banner year. But there were also some big flops in 2020 and we’re here to remind you of them. Because when a flop is made in the auto world it can cost billions to fix, and with the thousands involved it should never happen. So let’s take a look at some of the real clunkers of 2020.

BMW Beaver Tooth Grilles

Regular readers of MotorBiscuit posts have seen this headline before. Why oh why does BMW insist on ramming these ugly, giant grilles down enthusiast’s throats? A host of BMW savants have tried to explain, rationalize, shame, and otherwise tap dance around the beaver tooth grilles without any success. Story after story and forum after forum laments the blind faith BMW honchos put in the bad move. If enthusiasts could be led every car would have an Edsel grille and BMW Bangle Butt. The Bangle Butt was the most recent design faux pas before this latest goof. BMW wasted little time in changing that unfortunate design. Instead of resisting, it should follow suit and revise the kidney bean grilles to their proper size and proportions. 

2020 Ford Escape

Ford had high expectations for the new Escape and well that they should. Having sold almost a quarter-million last year and with the Focus and Fusion out of the way Ford had its sights set high. But through November the Escape has sold 161,123. That’s not bad, but nowhere near what Ford wanted or needed from its latest crossover. In 2019 it sold almost 250,000, so 2020 figures are way down. Might we suggest the similarly-styled Mustang Mach E might be the culprit? It looks a bit better and has more buzz around it being electric and all. Maybe those interested in something like the Escape are just waiting for the electric version similar to the Escape to come out in 2021? 

2020 Toyota Supra

The new Toyota Supra was a much-anticipated sports car entry. Especially, as a joint venture between Toyota and BMW, it had all of the markings of a world-class effort. And in many ways it is. But the styling leaves a lot to be desired. Actually, it requires a lot less desire in seeing every surface festooned with design elements and body sculpting enough for three cars. There is just too much going on and none of it looks especially compelling. It is overwrought and clunky and sales of the Supra show it. Now it is launching a four-cylinder version to get the price down to help move along sales. With so many great sports cars available to enthusiasts, the world needs a reason to look at a Supra and nobody wants to look at it because it is so busy. 

Fiat Writ Large

Let’s be honest, Fiat won’t be selling cars in the US in the very near future. It has been on a downhill slide since 2014. At the steady trajectory it is currently on it will literally sell zero vehicles in 2022. The graph lines are that consistent and bleak. With the Fiat Chrysler merger taking place in the next quarter there will be some cuts coming, and the sure bet is that Fiat will give way to something else in the US. And the same can be said for Alfa Romeo, too.