Honda has announced it plans to end sales of its Civic sedan models in Japan. The subtraction follows a lengthy period of lagging sales, contrasted by the success of its smaller models.

Honda ended production of the gasoline Civic in August this year, however will also end production of its hybrid Civics in December. However, the Japanese automaker insists that manufacturing of export models, including the gas-electric hybrid Civic, will carry on at the Suzuka plant in central Japan and all other 13 overseas factories.

Introduced in 1972, the Civic was once Honda’s flagship model, selling 177,000 units in 1975 in Japan. It is now sold in 160 nations, having forged itself as a popular choice in some international markets. Nonetheless, its waning popularity in Japan has reached a point where it is only logical for the brand to retract production.

Officially, sales of the Civic will end once the remaining stock is sold.