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  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    Convertible Sales Are Still Down

    William Maley

    Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

    July 10, 2013

    Convertibles have a small slice of the new car market. That slice seems to shinking even further.

    According to data from R.L. Polk, sales of convertibles last year barely reached one percent. That's a major drop when compared to convertible sales of 1.6 percent in 2009 and 2 percent in 2006. In all, 151,636 convertibles were registered last year. While that is an increase in number of registations over the past few years, it still is lagging behind other vehicles.

    The reason for this? Automakers are putting more development into more volume models such as midsize sedans and crossovers.

    "They're sitting down and going through every potential product program and looking at the returns. When they see the volumes right now for convertibles, they're saying, 'Why would we do this?'" said R.L. Polk lead analyst Tom Libby.

    There is some new metal on the way within the next few years. Jaguar has launched the new F-Type, a new Mazda Miata with an Alfa Romeo twin is just around the corner, and we have such models as the Corvette to look forward to. The question is of course is can this new crop help turn the tide.

    Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

    William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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    G. David Felt

    As we move to high strength steel, I can see the convertible only being in the luxury segment and select pony car segment as a full sky roof that opens will be far more practical for people. So far I see more people buying auto's with a sky roof that opens over a convertible desire. Just too limited a use if you live anywhere other than California or Florida it seems.

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    ImpalaPete

    He's saying that widespread use of high-strength steel allows its use beyond premium convertibles, such as for lower-cost and more practical sky roofs in vehicles people drive every day.

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    G. David Felt

    He's saying that widespread use of high-strength steel allows its use beyond premium convertibles, such as for lower-cost and more practical sky roofs in vehicles people drive every day.

    Exactly, Thank you :)

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