5 Pretty Darn Believable Theories Why Convertibles Have Nearly Disappeared In The U.S.
jalopnik.com
Convertibles once ruled American roads — five overlapping forces, from the 1970s oil crisis to modern safety rules, explain why they've nearly vanished.
Preference ShiftDiffusion of InnovationsMarket SegmentationRegulatory Economics
Theory Briefing
- Safety regulations made open-top cars harder to engineer, quietly pushing automakers away from the segment.
- The spread of affordable A/C removed the main reason drivers wanted a car with no roof.
- The 1970s oil crisis shifted buyers toward economy and efficiency, leaving wind-in-your-hair driving as a luxury few prioritized.
- Soaring car prices turned convertibles into a niche splurge rather than a mainstream choice.
- Shifting buyer tastes — toward SUVs and crossovers — left the convertible with a shrinking, aging audience.