Dwindling Convertible Sales

[AnkD4]

I read this article and found it to be interesting. I'm looking to get a '15 vert. I hope the declining trend in convertible sales will give me some bargaining power.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/201...e-is-rarity-in-dwindling-droptop-segment.html

Just the Facts:

• Despite such high-profile drop tops as the 2015 Ford Mustang Convertible and 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, American consumers are lukewarm about the segment, Edmunds has found.
• Jeremy Acevedo, Edmunds supervisor of price and industry analysis, blames America's fascination with sport-utility vehicles for the fading interest in convertibles, as well as sticker shock.
• Last year, domestic and imported convertibles combined accounted for a sliver less than 1 percent of all vehicle registrations, a mere 151,789 vehicles, slipping from 1.37 percent five years earlier, according to IHS Automotive/Polk vehicle registrations.

SANTA MONICA, California — Despite such high-profile drop tops as the 2015 Ford Mustang Convertible and 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, American consumers are lukewarm about the segment, Edmunds has found.

Jeremy Acevedo, Edmunds supervisor of price and industry analysis, blames America's fascination with sport-utility vehicles for the fading interest in convertibles, as well as sticker shock.

"When you look at a lot of these vehicles, they are very expensive," Acevedo said.

Convertible interest is in a downward spiral.

Last year, domestic and imported convertibles combined accounted for a sliver less than 1 percent of all vehicle registrations, a mere 151,789 vehicles, slipping from 1.37 percent five years earlier, according to IHS Automotive/Polk vehicle registrations.

Market share slid further during the January through March period this year to 0.84 percent, compared to 0.91 percent for the same period in 2013.

Acevedo said: "Cost is definitely one reason" for the decline.

"With Mustang, for example, you are looking at a $5,000 premium to go from a (base) coupe to a convertible and $7,500 for the Camaro," he said.

The base 2014 Mustang coupe stickers for $23,335, compared to $28,335 for the convertible. Both prices include an $825 destination charge. The 2015 Ford Mustang coupe starts at $24,425, including an $825 destination charge, but Ford has not yet announced 2015 Mustang convertible pricing.

The base 2014 Chevrolet Camaro coupe is priced at $24,550 and $32,050 for the base convertible. Both prices include a $995 destination charge.

For Ford and Chevrolet, each convertible is far from being a big seller. Ford sold approximately 77,200 Mustangs last year, of which about 10,000 were convertibles. Chevrolet sold about 9,700 convertibles out of a total of 80,500 Camaros.

Sponsored

 

[Ericc B]

Same thing is happening over here, convertible sales have halved over the past 5 or so years.

 

[Fenderaddict2]

Even I, a convertible lover haven't bought one since '05. Maybe I should consider the new Mustang ragtop, but dayum, that fastback is sexy.

 

[Five Oh Brian]

I am in the middle, with a glass roof '14 GT. With the windows rolled down and the shade open, it is almost like having a convertible, but cost several thousand less. We sell very few new convertibles at the dealership I work for, but we are near Seattle, so it rains much more than in most areas.

 

[Wild Stang]

I am in the middle, with a glass roof '14 GT. With the windows rolled down and the shade open, it is almost like having a convertible, but cost several thousand less. We sell very few new convertibles at the dealership I work for, but we are near Seattle, so it rains much more than in most areas.

Wish I knew what dealership you work for. I am near Seattle too!

 

[ice445]

Just a sign of diminishing purchasing power...so the late model verts are more exclusive.

You win the thread necro award of the year! 9 year old post lol

 

[Balr14]

LOL still relevant today!

In the 40s and 50s, every manufacturer had at least one convertible and some had one in multiple model lines. They started losing their popularity as air conditioning became more common. Since the 70s, they haven't made a up a significant market segment and were almost discontinued entirely. But, the German car makers kept making them which basically kept the market alive.

 

[Carbide]

I prefer painted hard tops. Always have.

 

[charlied]

I am in the middle, with a glass roof '14 GT. With the windows rolled down and the shade open, it is almost like having a convertible, but cost several thousand less. We sell very few new convertibles at the dealership I work for, but we are near Seattle, so it rains much more than in most areas.

Omg! Those glass roofs are sexy as hell! I've always wanted one!

 

[Rapid Red]

Omg! Those glass roofs are sexy as hell! I've always wanted one!

"Sexy as hell!"......... LMAO sit in traffic or drive one on a hot sunny day, sexy as hell, turn into hot & sweaty as hell.

BTW never have had an urge to have sex with a car?

Ragtops are fine, I like a coupe. Want the wind in the face. With a pair, Harley does that very nicely.

Current Mustangs are good-looking ragtops, have the right proportions. Foreign cars, drivers always look like they are sitting in the bathtub.

 

[Strokerswild]

"Sexy as hell!"......... LMAO sit in traffic or drive one on a hot sunny day, sexy as hell, turn into hot & sweaty as hell.

BTW never have had an urge to have sex with a car?

Ragtops are fine, I like a coupe. Want the wind in the face. With a pair, Harley does that very nicely.

Current Mustangs are good-looking ragtops, have the right proportions. Foreign cars, drivers always look like they are sitting in the bathtub.

My '07 GT500 was a vert, and what a way to find out that I'm not a vert guy. Easily my most regrettable car purchase ever, if it would have been a coupe I'd probably still have it. I'll stick to bikes for the open air feeling.

 

[barron64]

Maybe Ford could update their advertising on the Mustang convertible...wait, what advertising? When was the last time anyone saw a Mustang commercial on TV anyway? Plenty of pickup and suv commercials though.

 

[blitzburgh]

I had an 01 GT Vert. Never had the top down because I always got hot as hell. Fun to drive in the evening with top down but I didn't use it enough to warrant getting another.

 

[Johnnybee]

I realize that some of you are probably in real hot spots in the US but I drive top down from 2-32C, or higher (although higher is rare in Toronto).

 

[Johnnybee]

Maybe Ford could update their advertising on the Mustang convertible...wait, what advertising? When was the last time anyone saw a Mustang commercial on TV anyway? Plenty of pickup and suv commercials though.

I took a quick look through YouTube and most of the commercials were for Fox body and older. This was the only one for a relatively recent model year, and is not so much a commercial but a tribute to armed services personnel. I’m no expert but maybe a 2011?

Sponsored