Vehicle history and data expert Cartell.ie report today (27th May) on the number of convertibles in the Irish fleet.
The company advises that only 27 have been registered so far in 2020 and a mere 167 were registered with a 2019 plate. The numbers peak with 2186 registered to 2007 and 1838 registered to 2006.
In total there are 15,738 convertibles in the Irish fleet and approximately one third of those (5325) have been imported.
The most popular model is the Mazda MX5 with 953 registered. The next most popular is the Renault Megane with 812 registered.
Cartell considered why the popularity of convertibles has fallen away:
Convertibles may have been seen as a sign of affluence: they are more popular in the “boom years” – 2003 to 2008
Even though the numbers have fallen convertibles are more popular now than they were in the early 1990s
Other body type choices: the rise in popularity of body types like the SUV may have taken the gloss away from convertible sales as the buyer opts for something more practical yet stylish.
John Byrne, Cartell.ie says:
“The convertible may have been seen as a sign of the times during the boom years when open-topped driving was at its most popular. The fall off since then could be due to a variety of factors – obviously the weather is not always kind in Ireland and buyers often opt for more practical options but there has been a shift in the market away from this type of car.”
