Even in Canada with our less than accomodating weather, we still love convertibles – in-fact my next car will be a mini convertible! Whether fitted with soft or hard folding lids, today’s droptops are better than ever for year-round motoring. Advancements in power top mechanisms, sealing, aerodynamics, structural rigidity, rollover safety and creature comforts like heated and cooled seats mean that modern convertibles are more versatile and better to drive than ever before. Yet the segment’s sales took a dive during the recession and haven’t come back, Automotive News reports.
Part of that is because automakers are looking at today’s more sensible buyers and simply not developing as many new models, and that lack of fresh iron is curbing sales. AN cites R.L. Polk data which notes that only about one per cent of new vehicles registered in the US last year had tops that folded. Back in 2009, it was 1.4 per cent, and it was 2 per cent in 2006. All-in, some 151,636 convertibles were registered in 2012. That’s more units more than were registered in each of the past three years, but the market has also grown as the economy has picked up speed, and as a per centage of new vehicles purchased, convertible sales are lagging.
