UK Roads See An Increase In Convertible Cars

With an average of only 50 sunny days a year in the UK it may surprise you to learn that the UK has just taken the crown for the most convertible cars in Europe. This news has come as a surprise to many people who would have thought that countries such as Spain would be capitalising on their endless summer days. In fact the sales of convertibles rose in 2004 by 20% putting the UK head of the European drop top list.

So why is a country like the UK that is renowned for its bad weather topping such an unlikely list?

Popularity - The popularity of the convertible car is on the increase with a 20% rise in UK convertible sales in 2004. Convertibles have also become some what of a prestige car and owning one seems to raise your social standing.

Public perception - The public's perception of the convertible has changed and they no longer hold the stereotype of solely a woman's or a mid-life crisis male's car. They have become 'accepted' as a 'normal' car that can be used every day of the year.

Cost - The cost of buying and running a convertible has come down to a reachable level for the average car buyer. This has lead to a larger customer pool for the car dealers helping to raise the numbers of convertibles on today's roads.

Car insurance - Owners are not penalised by the car insurance companies like they used to be for owning a convertible machine. Although car insurance may be slightly more expensive than hard top models prices have been reduced by the car insurance companies dramatically.

Build quality - Superior build quality has helped to make these machines more popular in today's market.

Weather - Due to changes in the environment the UK summer seems to be becoming longer and warmer giving the public more time to enjoy these cars.

Economy - In general the UK economy has lead to citizens having more disposable cash which they seem more than happy to spend on a flash new convertible car.

Basically the UK public are renowned throughout the world for heading down the beach at the first sign of the summer sun, whatever the temperatures. Surely it was only a matter of time before we realised that just because we may not have the sunniest country in Europe what stops us from diving our drop tops all year round? No matter the weather.