Why Do 125 People a Year Buy Convertibles in Ireland? An Irish Conundrum Explored

In 2025, only 125 new convertibles were registered in Ireland, equating to roughly one sale every three days, according to data reported by The Journal. This figure highlights a persistent anomaly in the Irish automotive market, where consumer preference for open-top vehicles remains exceptionally low despite broader trends in new car registrations showing growth.

The low uptake contrasts with the overall expansion in Ireland’s new car market, which saw registrations jump 7% in January 2025 to 33,521 vehicles, as reported by Amazing Cars and Drives. This growth has been driven in part by rising demand for electric vehicles, which increased by 64% in July 2025 alone, with 17,075 new private electric cars registered compared to 12,765 in 2024.

Despite this momentum in the wider market, convertibles have failed to gain traction. The Journal’s report notes that confusion between similar-sounding terms may contribute to the phenomenon, though no definitive explanation for the consistently low sales has been established. The publication observes that Ireland is “full of people who confused the two,” suggesting a possible cultural or linguistic factor in buyer behaviour.

Market analysis from Amazing Cars and Drives indicates that SUVs continue to dominate Irish car sales, with the Hyundai Tucson leading as the top-selling model in 2025, recording 3,308 units sold by June. Other popular models include the Toyota RAV4 (2,400 units), Toyota Yaris Cross (2,371 units), and Kia Sportage (2,305 units), reflecting a clear consumer preference for practicality, hybrid technology, and compact SUV design over open-top vehicles.

The Carzone Motoring Report, based on 84 million website searches and a survey of 1,000 Irish motorists, provides further insight into shifting buyer priorities, including attitudes toward electric vehicles and financial habits influencing vehicle choice. However, the report does not specifically address convertible sales trends.

With new car registrations showing sustained momentum through early 2025 and electric vehicle adoption accelerating, the persistent reluctance to purchase convertibles remains a notable outlier in Ireland’s evolving automotive landscape. The Journal characterizes this trend as an “Irish conundrum,” underscoring the mismatch between market growth and the minimal demand for open-top vehicles.