Sales of new convertible cars in the UK have collapsed by nearly 90% over the past two decades, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In 2005, 109,171 convertibles were registered; by 2024, that figure had fallen to just 11,484 — a stark indicator of the model's waning appeal.
The SUV Takeover
The convertible's decline has mirrored the dramatic rise of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs). According to research company Dataforce GmbH, SUVs accounted for 59% of all new car sales across Europe in 2024. These vehicles offer the aspirational image convertibles once commanded, but with greater practicality. Automotive journalist Steve Fowler, founder of Carblah, explained: "It's a simple fact of people wanting more practicality these days. I always say SUVs are sports cars for people who can't have sports cars any more."
| Year | UK Convertible Sales | SUV Share of European Sales |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 109,171 | N/A |
| 2024 | 11,484 | 59% |
"It's very difficult to put the kids, the dog, the bike, and everything else we have in our lives into a convertible." — Steve Fowler, founder of Carblah
Manufacturing Economics
Building a convertible is no simple task. As Steve Fowler noted, "It costs so much money to build any car these days. And it's not just as simple as chopping the roof off... with safety regulations and everything else, there's a lot of work that goes into building a convertible." This added complexity makes open-top models less attractive to manufacturers facing a limited market.
Philip Nothard, insight director of Cox Automotive Europe, framed the issue in straightforward supply-and-demand terms: "It's a very clear supply and demand marketplace. Convertibles are more expensive to manufacture, for a very small market." With fixed costs spread over fewer units, per-vehicle margins shrink, discouraging investment.
Production Challenges and OEM Responses
The declining demand has led many OEMs to reduce or eliminate convertible offerings. Models like the Ford Focus Convertible and Vauxhall Cascada have been discontinued, and several luxury brands have scaled back their drop-top lineups. The high development costs — particularly for structural reinforcement, folding roof mechanisms, and compliance with rollover safety standards — further depress production volumes. For manufacturing executives, the equation is clear: fewer sales, higher costs, and an unfavourable return on investment.
Future Outlook
With SUVs continuing to capture consumer attention and tightening emissions regulations adding to the cost of niche models, the convertible's future looks uncertain. The SMMT data shows no sign of a reversal; the 2024 figure of 11,484 units is the lowest on record. Unless battery-electric convertibles can revive the segment — a proposition that remains unproven at scale — production lines dedicated to open-top cars may continue to shrink.
For plant managers and supply chain directors, the takeaway is to monitor fleet composition closely. As automakers pivot to high-margin SUVs and crossovers, the parts and tooling for convertibles will become increasingly rare, potentially creating aftersale supply risks for the few models still in production.
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