The number of new convertible models available to UK buyers has fallen to its lowest level in decades, according to analysis by online vehicle marketplace CarGurus. The 30 biggest car makers in the UK now offer just 11 new convertible models between them, compared with 29 models six years ago and a peak of 37 in 2005.
Manufacturers Shift Focus to SUVs and Electrification
CarGurus said vehicles which can be driven with or without a roof are “an increasingly rare sight” as manufacturers concentrate investment on SUVs and electrification. In the past year alone, BMW cut its convertible range from five models to two, Porsche dropped the 718, and Jeep stopped offering any. Despite the automotive industry’s transition towards electrification, fully electric convertibles are rare, with only two models on sale in the UK.
Used Convertible Prices Rise as Demand Persists
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. 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.”
Industry Experts Weigh In
Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said: “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.”
Registration Numbers Plummet
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 11,484 new convertibles were registered in the UK last year. That is lower than a third of the 2019 total of 36,193 and just above a 10th of the figure 20 years earlier (109,171). SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Demand for convertibles has always reflected broader market trends, and the transition to electrification is reshaping the market. Manufacturers are prioritising investment in zero and ultra-low emission cars in higher volume segments where demand is strongest and delivers the greatest progress towards climate targets. Currently, there are fewer convertible options within that mix, which naturally affects volumes, while wider economic pressures and shifts in consumer preference for higher riding SUV-style cars are also influencing purchasing decisions.”
