UK Convertible Sales Plunge 90% to 11,484 as SUVs Take 59% of Europe Market
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 14
UK Convertible Sales Plunge 90% to 11,484 as SUVs Take 59% of Europe Market
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 14
Summary
11,484 new convertibles were sold in the UK last year, down from 109,171 in 2005, leaving the body style a shrinking niche after two decades of decline.
SUVs have filled much of the gap: they delivered the image buyers once sought in open-top cars while offering family space and practicality, and they made up 59% of European car sales last year.
High production costs have also squeezed supply, with safety and engineering demands making convertibles expensive to build for a small market, pushing most surviving models upmarket.
Only a handful of affordable soft-tops remain, and just two electric convertibles are on sale in the UK; analysts say cheaper Chinese manufacturing could be key if the segment is to revive.