Sales of convertible cars have declined sharply in the United Kingdom as major domestic manufacturers pivot towards electric luxury models. According to industry data released yesterday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), registrations of new convertibles fell by 18 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the same period last year, marking the lowest level since 2015.
The slump coincides with an acceleration in investment by British marques such as Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin into high-end electric vehicles. Both companies have announced plans to phase out internal combustion engines in their flagship models by 2030, focusing resources on battery-powered grand tourers and sport utility vehicles. Industry analysts suggest that convertible variants, often niche and low-volume, are being deprioritised in favour of models that align with stricter emissions regulations and shifting consumer preferences.
Jaguar Land Rover confirmed last month that it would end production of its F-Type convertible, a model that accounted for only 4 per cent of the company's global sales in 2023. The company stated that it is redirecting engineering capacity towards its upcoming electric luxury sport utility vehicle platform. Aston Martin, meanwhile, has delayed development of a next-generation Vantage convertible, citing the need to concentrate on its first electric model, expected in 2026.
The trend is not limited to the United Kingdom. Convertible sales in the European Union have fallen by 12 per cent over the same period. However, British manufacturers have been particularly hit due to their historical reliance on high-performance soft-tops. The SMMT noted that the UK market for convertibles is now dominated by premium German imports, with Mercedes-Benz and BMW accounting for 60 per cent of new registrations.
Environmental campaigners have welcomed the shift, arguing that reducing production of large, fuel-inefficient models supports net-zero targets. Green Alliance, a climate policy group, called on the government to set binding targets for the phase-out of internal combustion engine vehicles. "Convertibles are iconic but inefficient," said a spokesperson. "Manufacturers must focus on zero-emission vehicles that maintain British luxury standards."
Investment in electric luxury models is expected to exceed £5 billion this year across the sector. The government has pledged £2 billion in grants and tax incentives for electric vehicle production, including a specific fund for luxury brands. Nonetheless, some industry voices warn that the decline of convertibles could damage British automotive heritage. "Convertibles are a symbol of British engineering," said David Bailey, professor of business economics at the University of Birmingham. "But the market is speaking: consumers want electric luxury, and manufacturers are responding."
The SMMT projects that convertible sales will stabilise around 10,000 units per year, down from a peak of 25,000 in 2018. As the industry recalibrates, the focus on electric models represents a fundamental reshaping of British luxury car manufacturing.
