Santa Cruz production is ending early after weak sales led to bloated inventory. After just one generation, the Santa Cruz pickup is reportedly being phased out sooner than planned because buyers largely shrugged and walked past it to rival dealerships instead. Meanwhile, the Ford Maverick, aided by having a hybrid option that the Santa Cruz doesn’t offer, quietly ate its lunch. In the same period, Santa Cruz sales fell 20 percent to just 25,500. Early RetirementDealers reportedly ended up with months of unsold Santa Cruz inventory sitting on lots, which is never a great sign.