Drivers wanting to buy a new convertible car have the fewest options to choose from in decades as manufacturers focus on SUVs and electrification, according to analysis by online vehicle marketplace CarGurus. The company said vehicles which can be driven with or without a roof are 'an increasingly rare sight'.
Sharp Decline in Available Models
CarGurus found that the 30 biggest car makers in the UK offer just 11 new convertible models between them, compared with 29 models six years ago. The segment peaked in 2005 when 37 soft top models were available, according to the analysis. In the past year alone, BMW cut its convertible range from five models to two, Porsche dropped the 718, and Jeep stopped offering any.
Electric Convertibles Remain Rare
Despite the automotive industry’s transition towards electrification, fully electric convertibles are rare, with only two models on sale in the UK. This lack of electric options further limits consumer choice in the new car market.
Used Convertible Demand and Prices Rise
While new convertible options narrow, demand for used models is increasing. Their average price is up by about 10% year-on-year to approximately £18,000, according to CarGurus. This suggests that consumer interest in open-top motoring remains strong even as manufacturers reduce supply.
Industry Perspectives
Chris Knapman, UK editorial director at CarGurus, said: 'For years, convertibles were a core part of many manufacturer line-ups, and they brought character and desirability to a brand’s range. Today, they’re becoming an increasingly rare sight as carmakers focus investment on SUVs and electrification. Demand for open-top motoring clearly hasn’t disappeared. Used convertible prices are rising, and there’s still strong enthusiasm for cars that get the wind in your hair as part of a more evocative driving experience.'
Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, added: 'Brits have a long-established love affair with convertibles. The fact that prices for these models in the used car market are staying strong suggests that it’s not drivers but the auto companies who are changing tack, perhaps because they are playing to the global market and see soft top vehicles as too much of a GB niche. Perhaps drivers craving a wind-in-the-hair experience will have to switch to cars with a panoramic sunroof, while convertible devotees continue to seek out the sportier models still being produced by small volume companies.'
