ROOF FALLS IN Sales of popular convertibles plummet across UK
DRIVERS are no longer going topless – as the days of the convertible are numbered
But now it seems that daring UK motorists are not willing to risk the threat of pouring rain to feel the wind in their hair.
New sales of cabriolets have dropped by almost a tenth over the past couple of decades.
There is so little demand for them that only 16 new car models offer a roof-down option.
These symbols of motoring freedom have been replaced by safe and practical SUVs, which last year became Britain’s best-selling car.
It was all very different in the decadent 1990s when sales of convertibles took off, peaking at 94,484 in 2004.
A racy Mazda MX5, BMW Z3 or VW Golf GTi Cabriolet were a common sight on the nation’s roads.
The glamour of Thelma & Louise’s 1966 Ford Thunderbird or newly married Prince William and Kate waving to the crowds from their Aston Martin DB6 Volante have faded.
Unwelcome luxury
Last year, only 12,173 sales of new convertibles were registered here.
Chris Knapman, from vehicle research and sales site CarGurus UK, said: “Our latest annual Convertibles Report highlights more than just a drop in new car model selection.
But we are not alone, as global sales of cabriolets were down 20 per cent over the past year.
One of the problems is that manufacturers are focusing on electric cars to help governments hit Net Zero.
The need to keep these vehicles energy efficient means that the juice used for lowering or raising the roof is an unwelcome luxury.
At the moment, only two electric cars are available with an open top on this country’s forecourts — the Fiat 500 and MG Cyberster.
There is still, at least, a demand for cabriolets in the second-hand market.
The latest figures from AutoTrader show that advert views for open-top cars hit 150,085 this summer, up from 133,329 in July 2023.
And with well over one million convertibles registered in the UK, there is still a good chance of seeing motorists soaking up the sunshine with their shades on.