• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

The Death of Convertible Hardtops

November 28, 2014 By Nadeem Muaddi

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Convertible Hardtop

We’ve written extensively about America’s waning interest in convertible tops — a trend that doesn’t appear to be reversing any time soon. But as automakers manufacture less and less convertible models, there does appear to be a bit of good news: The fad of hardtop convertibles is quickly dying, making way for a resurgence of soft-top convertibles.

In a recent article, The Washington Post explains:

Two of the three major suppliers of convertible roof systems, Webasto, Magna CTS, and Valmet, have either announced plans to slim down their operations or already done so, due to a drop in demand. […]

Why? Soft tops have become much better, and with superior body engineering and rigidity there aren’t the body-integrity issues that many uni-body convertibles used to have. And there’s no way around the price advantages; soft tops are generally cheaper to source, install, and replace.

Of course, that’s great news for manufacturers and suppliers that sell convertible tops and auto upholsterers who install them. But it’s just one aspect of a much larger trend that doesn’t look promising at all.

There’s plenty of evidence that convertibles in general are in a prolonged market slump. Formerly hot-selling models like the Toyota Solara Convertible and Chrysler 200 Convertible (another one that was offered with a retractable hardtop) have been discontinued, with no high-volume replacements in the works. Volvo has even decided to put convertibles on the back burner for a few years, as it completely updates its model lines of sedans and crossovers.

And there definitely are some signs here in the U.S. that the image-conscious are passing up convertibles in favor of electric cars, or some of the new, standout crossover vehicle designs. […]

Perhaps the bigger questions rest upon looking at the worldwide demand for convertibles—which, apparently, isn’t exactly burgeoning. In several key global markets in which the demand for luxury and sports-car models is broadening—China and India—there’s no correspondingly high spike in demand for convertibles.

To read the full article in The Washington Post, see “Hardtop Convertibles Dwindling: Are They a Passing Fad?”

Tell Us: Has your auto upholstery shop experienced a noticeable decline in convertible top sales and installations? And if so, what are you doing to make up for the loss in profit?

Filed Under: Archive, Industry Trends & Reports Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Convertible Top, Hardtop Convertible

Primary Sidebar

anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Albright's Supply
  • Hyde Leather
  • Big Z Fabric
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Leather Craft
  • Keyston Bros

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - 1956 Ford F100

Design Studio: 1956 Ford F100 Door Panel

Last year we launched a series of hot rod … [more] about Design Studio: 1956 Ford F100 Door Panel

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Audi Leather

Watch Audi Trim a Leather Interior

Audi has designed and manufactured exquisite … [more] about Watch Audi Trim a Leather Interior

Auto Upholstery News - The Hog Ring - Carlex Design - Mercedes-Benz SLS Black Series

Carlex Design Trims a Mercedes SLS AMG

What happens when Polish automotive trim shop … [more] about Carlex Design Trims a Mercedes SLS AMG

The Hog Ring - How to make a seat from scratch

How to Upholster a Car Seat From Scratch

Check out this awesome guide on how to … [more] about How to Upholster a Car Seat From Scratch

The Hog Ring - Meet Shane Lile of Sewn Tight Upholstery

Meet Shane Lile of Sewn Tight Custom Interiors

Shane Lile, owner and operator of Sewn Tight … [more] about Meet Shane Lile of Sewn Tight Custom Interiors

Is Auto Upholstery Under-Appreciated?

How often does this happen to you? A customer … [more] about Is Auto Upholstery Under-Appreciated?

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • The Viral Headrest Gun Safe Is Going Nationwide with Tint World
  • TMG and Haartz to Open North Carolina Plant, Creating 125 New Jobs
  • Everything We Covered in June 2025
  • How OEM+ Auto Tops is Redefining Convertible Top Manufacturing with In-House Mold Production
  • From Factory Match to Full Custom: LEATHER CRAFT Has It Covered

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in