Mainstream Convertible Sales Leader in Europe Turns Out to Be a Crossover

The T-Roc, a crossover variant of the Golf, isn’t available in the U.S., though this isn’t particularly alarming given the plethora of SUVs here, including the slightly larger Taos. What sets the T-Roc apart from other high-riding vehicles is its convertible option. Yes, the 2024 T-Roc Cabriolet offers a fabric top that folds electrically.

Sales figures from Dataforce, reported by Automotive News Europe, reveal that the VW T-Roc Cabriolet leads the pack as the best-selling mainstream convertible so far this year. Despite its unusual nature, this two-door model topped sales charts through June, with 6,110 units sold. Although this represents a 22.7 percent drop compared to the first half of 2023, it remains sufficient to maintain the top position.

In second place is the Mazda Miata, with 3,545 units sold—a 15 percent decrease, likely linked to the transition from the ND2 to the ND3 model. While sales might rebound in the latter half of 2024, the discontinuation of the 2.0-liter engine in Europe casts some uncertainty.

The Alpine A110 rounds out the top three. Dataforce combines sales of mainstream convertibles with those of coupes. The A110, equipped with a fixed metal roof and a Renault-sourced turbocharged 1.8-liter engine, saw 2,563 units sold between January and June 2024, marking a 47.6 percent increase in demand.

While the T-Roc Cabriolet leads in convertible sales, it falls to second place overall. The Mini, listed separately in the premium segment, outsold it with 11,140 units—an 11.6 percent decline from the previous year. The Porsche 911 ranked second among luxury convertibles, with a 5.1 percent increase to 5,784 units, followed by the BMW 4 Series Convertible in third place with 4,714 units sold—a 21.7 percent drop.

In the small SUV/crossover category, the regular T-Roc was the top seller, with 105,332 units delivered—a 1.7 percent increase. VW has confirmed a second-generation model is in the works, which may be the last new combustion engine vehicle for the European market. However, a new convertible akin to the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet seems unlikely.