As temperatures rise - so do convertible prices

Leading vehicle auction company reports that predictions of a hot summer could keep convertibles hot too!

The latest data from leading vehicle auction company, British Car Auctions (BCA) shows that whilst consumer confidence might be lacking in other sectors of the consumer marketplace, there is genuine demand for soft tops, with prices achieved at auction steadily edging up over the last couple of months.

“The UK weather is probably the biggest single factor in determining convertible values” confirmed Tim Naylor, PR Manager, BCA. “And as we head into June we are certainly seeing prices of these desirable vehicles move well above average for used car prices and bucking the overall economic trends.”

Looking at the monthly price progression of convertibles, compared to the total average price achieved at BCA, it is clear that the underlying economic conditions are not the main price moderator. Temperature is much more the driver with higher values for convertibles focused in the first half of the year.

Overlaying the average UK temperature against average monthly prices for convertibles creates a not dissimilar wave shape, with not surprisingly, rising convertible prices slightly preceding the temperature rise. However, Tim Naylor is wondering if the Met Office’s predictions for a good summer might sustain demand, with prices staying higher in June and July than has been the case in previous years.


“Now with the Met Office sticking its neck out and predicting above average temperatures for this summer, this could prompt more soft top buyers to the auctions. So there’s really no time to waste for anyone who wants to make the most of the sunshine.

Toyota Solara Convertible to be dropped.

Sales of the Toyota Solara Convertible have long been in decline which has finally led to the model being discontinued this year. Production of the Solara Convertible stopped in December of 2008 but the decision to permanently cease production was not made until the Spring sales figures of the remaining cars could be reviewed.

The dropping of the Camry based model means that the Toyota brand no longer has a convertible model in the range either in Europe or the US. Plans for a replacement may not come into fruition until at least 2011.

There seems to be an increasing trend for recession hit manufacturers to be phasing out their niche market cars. However, the launch of several new cars has kept the convertible car market buoyant. The US market seems to be the hardest hit with the Pontiac G6, Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Chrysler Crossfire and Chrysler PT Cruiser all being cut in order to save cash.

Launched in 2000 and aimed at the US market, the Toyota Solara Convertible proved popular as a practical convertible car but it's age has resulted in it loosing favour against competition from the likes of the Chrysler Sebring and Pontiac G6 and few will mourn it's passing.

Hulme CanAm officially unveiled

New Zealand isn't the first place most of us would look to find a new supercar, however new producer Hulme have launched their new car from these far-flung islands. The CanAm looks distinctly like the British Caparo T1 but Hulme claim that their concepts were in development well before the T1 surfaced.

The Hulme CanAm is a car which has that old supercar mantra at it's heart - a racing car for the roads. Many attempt this and few manage to pull it off without ridiculous impracticalities and reliability records. The latter should not be a problem as Hulme have chosen the Chevrolet 7.0-litre V8 straight out of the Corvette Z06. It's good for 600 horsepower and Nm of torque. Wrapping all that clout in a carbon fibre sandwich leaves a car with a power to weight ratio that would put the best Ferrari's and Bugatti's to shame. It should also be less temperamental than the Caparo. The price will be in the region of £220,000/€280,000, far more reasonable than the rumoured US$700,000 first reported. We look forward to hearing more about this fly-weight monster as performance figures are released.

The Hulme brand was named after the New Zealand racing driver and 1967 Formula One world champion Denis “Denny" Hulme. While the model name recognises his achievements in the Canadian American (CanAm) Challenge Cup series of races held between 1967 and 1972.