Who Makes Convertibles? List of All Brands as of 2022-2024

Who Makes Сonvertibles? List of All Brands as of 2022-2024

Convertible cars, sometimes called cabriolets or roadsters, remain popular for their open-air driving experience despite changes in the automotive market. We analyzed which car brands still make convertible models as well as brands that have discontinued open top models over the past decade. The goal was to identify market trends related to these niche vehicles.

Quick facts that we observed:

23 brands (60%) still make convertibles, while 17 (40%) out of 40 brands who made convertibles during the past decade, stopped manufacturing them.

Manufacturers that STILL make convertibles in 2022, 2023 & 2024

 

  • Aston Martin
  • Audi
  • Bentley
  • BMW
  • Citroen
  • Chevrolet
  • Ferrari
  • Fiat
  • Ford
  • Jaguar
  • Jeep
  • Lamborghini
  • Lexus
  • Lotus
  • Maserati
  • Mazda
  • McLaren
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Mini
  • Porsche
  • Rolls-Royce
  • Smart
  • Volkswagen

Brands that STOPPED making convertibles during the last decade

 

  • Acura
  • Alfa Romeo
  • Bugatti
  • Chrysler
  • Dodge
  • Fiat
  • Honda
  • Infiniti
  • Land Rover
  • Mitsubishi
  • Nissan
  • Peugeot
  • Renault
  • SAAB
  • Suzuki
  • Toyota
  • Volvo
Who Makes Сonvertibles? CabrioNation Research

Market Background

The convertible market features offerings from nearly every major automotive manufacturer. Mainstream brands like Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, and Honda have long offered convertible versions of their popular models. These tend to focus more on value and reliability over high-end performance.

Luxury marques including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Chevrolet Corvette have cultivated an upscale image with their refined convertibles featuring bespoke passenger cabins and robust engines. High-end materials and technology define the experience.

Boutique manufacturers such as Jaguar, Maserati, and Aston Martin have also made their mark with lavish convertibles exuding style and exclusivity. Yet others like Mazda and Volkswagen have won over enthusiasts seeking fun-to-drive dynamics in a more affordable package.

In short, today’s convertible shoppers have choices spanning a wide range of prices and preferences thanks to the diversity of brands now offering these body styles.

Key Players in the Convertible Market

BrandNotable Convertibles
FordMustang, Bronco
ChevroletCamaro, Corvette
BMW2 Series, 4 Series, Z4
Porsche911, Boxster, Cayman

While many automakers dabble in convertibles, a few key brands stand out for their focus and success in the segment.

Ford has enjoyed runaway popularity with the Ford Mustang convertible, providing an attainable American icon with the option of open-air freedom. More recently, the revived Ford Bronco arrived with a removable roof to maximize off-road excitement.

Chevrolet generates excitement with legendary nameplates like the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette convertibles, blending performance thrills with wind-in-your-hair freedom.

BMW continually refreshes its convertible lineup, ranging from the compact 2 Series to the flagship luxury cruiser Z4 roadster. BMW drop tops emphasize refined driving dynamics to delight the most discerning enthusiasts.

Porsche has cultivated a rich lineage of convertibles spanning the past 70 years as highlighted by icons like the 911 Cabriolet and 718 Boxster. Precision sports car performance melds seamlessly with top-down thrills across Porsche’s open-top roster.

Ford’s Contribution to the Convertible Market

The Ford Mustang convertible maintains an enduring appeal as an attainable American performance icon with the added fun factor of a retractable soft top. Since the original Mustang debuted in 1964, Ford has offered a “ragtop” variant catering to enthusiasts craving style, V8 power, and wind-in-your-hair freedom.

Through six generations, the Mustang convertible has provided budget-friendly performance kudos on a global scale. Even the most affordable four-cylinder EcoBoost Mustangs deliver brisk acceleration along with nimble handling that shines when running top down. Yet muscular V8 variants ratchet up the excitement for straight-line power that begs to be enjoyed al fresco.

Beyond the Mustang, Ford’s recent revival of the legendary Bronco SUV included both a removable hardtop and a folding soft top to maximize open-air potential. This unique design allows Bronco owners to easily reconfigure their roof setup based on conditions and whim. Both the Mustang and Bronco embody Ford’s commitment to pairing versatility with everyday livability in their convertibles, appealing to a broad range of budgets and sensibilities.

2018 Ford Mustang convertible - s550 Generation
Read more about this BMW E46 in our special feature

Most Notable Ford Convertibles

  • Ford Mustang Convertible – An American icon blending performance, style & open-air freedom
  • Ford Bronco with Removable Roof Options – Iconic off-roader with configurable open-air potential
  • Ford Model A (1928-1931) – Early classics offered with folding fabric tops

Jaguar’s Luxury Convertibles

As a premier luxury brand steeped in history, Jaguar imbues its sleek convertibles with exotic appeal and refined driving dynamics. While no longer offering a dedicated roadster model, the F-Type coupe can be ordered with a power-retractable soft top to deliver an intoxicating balance of style, performance and open-top freedom.

Jaguar drop tops exude British elegance with hand-crafted cabins swathed in fine leather and wood accents. A supercharged V8 provides the F-Type convertible exhilarating power worthy of its R-badged variants. Yet even the more accessible four and six-cylinder models supply spirited performance fit for winding country roads with the top down.

For those seeking a more practical Jaguar convertible combining space for four adults with retractable sunroof versatility, the XJ sedan lineup also includes an upscale cabriolet. This lone four-door convertible pampers occupants in true Jaguar fashion while allowing for family-friendly flexibility.

Jaguar XJS convertible trunk space

Most Notable Jaguar Luxury Convertibles:

  • F-Type Convertible – Sleek, exotic two-seat roadster with performance to match its looks
  • XJ Convertible – Rare four-door cabrio provides practicality alongside luxury
  • Jaguar E-Type (1961-1975) – Iconic vintage roadster still turns heads today

Porsche’s High-End Convertibles

Porsche has cultivated an incomparable lineage of premium sports cars in both coupe and convertible body styles spanning seventy years. Today, the brand offers no less than five individual model lines as open-top variants catering to performance purists craving a heightened sensory experience behind the wheel.

The venerable 911 Cabriolet maintains an almost mythical aura, sharing the iconic coupe’s rear-engine pedigree while peeling back the roof for unmatched Excitement under sunny skies. As Porsche’s halo offering, the 911 Cabrio impresses with world-class engineering and refinement through endless curves.

Positioned as the entry point to Porsche ownership, the 718 Boxster roadster provides sublime mid-engine balance and handling for top-down thrills with greater attainability. Like the 911, Porsche offers the Boxster in progressively more powerful S and GTS trims to unlock track-worthy performance potential.

For those seeking a targa-style compromise offering rollover hoop protection with an open-air design, Porsche’s Targa variants spanning the 911, 718, and electric Taycan model lines retain coupe styling cues with clever power-retracting roof technology sure to satisfy sunshine cravings with added peace of mind.

See Also
Can You Take a Convertible to the Track? Things to Consider

Most Affordable Convertibles

While exotic convertibles often demand six-figure outlays, more accessible four-seat cabriolets from mainstream brands deliver nearly all of the thrills for far less investment. Compelling options include:

  • Mazda MX-5 Miata – Perennial two-seat roadster benchmark, now offered with retractable fastback roof
  • MINI Cooper Convertible – Cheeky compact with surprisingly spacious rear seats
  • Volkswagen Beetle Convertible – Funky turbocharged power in a nostalgic open-air package
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible – Potent American muscle with aggressively styled drop-top
LOWERED MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE ON KW COILOVERS
Read more about this Mini Cooper S R57 in our special feature

The Mazda Miata iterates a classic British-inspired recipe spanning over 30 years of providing pure driving joy on a budget. The MINI Cooper and VW Beetle contrasts cute exteriors with modern performance hardware for quirky appeal. And the Camaro drops the top on loud, proud American V8 muscle.

Who Makes Convertible Tops

The manufacturing of convertible tops is done by several companies. Some of the leading manufacturers include:

  • GAHH Automotive: They are known for using the original “Sonnenland” A5 topping material made by Haartz.
  • Robbins Auto Top LLC: They are an industry leader in high-quality convertible tops and have been in the business since 1943. They are known for their expertise in design, improvement, development, and manufacturing of convertible tops, glass and plastic windows, tonneau covers, and related products. They take pride in producing products with the highest degree of craftsmanship.
  • Auto Tops Direct: They have been a leader in convertible top manufacturing in the USA for nearly three decades. They are known for their exacting specifications, attention to quality and engineering, and commitment to using original equipment manufacturer’s materials.
  • Kee Auto Top: They are a leading manufacturer of convertible and vinyl tops, known for their industry-best warranty, perfect fit, and same-day shipping on all in-stock tops.

These companies are known for their expertise, quality, and craftsmanship in manufacturing convertible tops.

Statistic Analysis

Current Convertible Offerings

As of the 2022-2024 model years, 23 car brands still produce new convertible models. Luxury European automakers continue to lead the market, with Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lexus, Lotus, Maserati, Mazda, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Smart, and Volkswagen still manufacturing convertibles. Several mainstream brands also offer convertibles, including Chevrolet, Citroen, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, and Jeep. This indicates steady consumer demand for open-top driving experiences across vehicle segments.

Discontinued Convertible Models

The analysis identified 17 car brands that have stopped producing convertibles over the past decade. This list consists primarily of mainstream brands, including Acura, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Chrysler, Dodge, Honda, Infiniti, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, SAAB, Suzuki, Toyota, and Volvo. With a few exceptions like SAAB, the majority remain active automakers. However, they have shifted focus away from convertibles towards more popular crossovers and SUVs.

Modern Studies and Researches Look up more statistic data in convertible car related studies and researches in our special feature. Here you’ll find the recent information on safety, production numbers, drivers demographics, and impact on our emotional state: Beyond the Buzz: Facts, Studies & Researches About Convertibles

Conclusion

In conclusion, while convertibles represent a small niche market, a meaningful number of both luxury and mainstream brands continue catering to consumer demand. However, shifts within the broader automotive industry have led 40% of the brands analyzed to discontinue convertible models over the last decade.

Importantly though, this does not necessarily equate to an outright decline in overall convertible production. Convertibles remain prevalent among luxury brands, which now account for the majority of the market.

Although mainstream brands like Toyota have moved away from convertibles, their luxury divisions like Lexus retain convertible models due to consumer demand in the premium space. Given their innovative technologies and positioning as status symbols, convertibles likely continue to sell well in aggregate.

However, an increasing number of non-luxury brands are determining that these niche vehicles no longer suit their lineup strategies and development resources.

View Comment (1)
  • As a new Miata owner the history was an awesome read. Can’t wait for springtime cruises with the top down!

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