How the crisis will change the convertible season
The sun is coming into its own, and soon everyone will be inexorably pulled to get rid of cramped car roofs. And someone every season allows himself this. However, this year it will be necessary to look for a convertible on the secondary market - the crisis has deprived Russia of a number of models.
Convertible, roadster and even sporty low coupes are a seasonal thing in Russia. Someone can afford to keep a couple of cars: a minivan for the family, a Kubrick for pleasure. Or so - in the winter I drive a crossover, and in the summer I have fun in a rear-wheel drive coupe. Many find a way out in buying a car for the season and selling it in the fall, dampening the market.
Four-wheel sources of endorphins and dopamines without a roof were the first to be crossed out from the list of deliveries to the Russian market.
However, automakers have seriously thinned out their model lines in Russia for a reason. The crisis is obvious, and not only in the genre: for several months now, sales have been falling by 20 percent, and some brands with humble sadness report an 80-90 percent decline in sales!
When you sell 400 cars a month, being a mass brand, it’s really not up to fat - you have to leave the most obvious models in the line, that is, sedans and crossovers, and quickly evacuate convertibles and small funny hatchbacks at the price of a budget SUV from the country.
THERE ARE NO OTHER...
First of all, the Mazda MX-5 disappeared from our market. And it's a pity, because, firstly, aerodynamically, this is one of the best convertibles - the wind makes only thoughts move in the head, but almost does not touch the neck. Secondly, this Mazda is controlled as if by neural connections and at the same time infects the most dull person with its character.
Mazda MX-5 is a surprisingly impractical car: without exaggeration, in this car there is nowhere to put even a cap, and only a windbreaker will fit in the trunk - and it delivers a lot of crazy childish joy.
The same Mazda MX-5 is no more - a new generation has come out, which we have not had time to meet yet. However, so far the Japanese roadster is offered only with a soft roof, and it was decided not to bring such a roof to Russia. Minus one.
Peugeot 308 CC is listed on the official website with prices and options. But, between us, you won’t find cars with xenon in car dealerships for a long time in the afternoon. Minus two.
MINI Roadster, like the Coupe, has been discontinued, so they will no longer be sold not only in northern Russia, but also in sunny countries. You can still find stock at dealers, and besides, if you dig up a car made in 2014 or even 2013, you can bargain for a good discount. Minus three and a half.
At the Paris Motor Show in October, a new generation Audi TT coupe was shown, but the roadster has not yet changed generation. As a result, the new version without a roof has not yet entered the market, but the old cars remained, if only in the form of stash from dealers, the official website notes that they are no longer available for ordering in Russia. Minus four.
Also, a couple of coupes were removed from our market, the main life of which flared up in the summer. Peugeot has removed the RCZ from its lineup - sales are not able to recoup the cost of imports, especially now. And to create a sporty image, not the most powerful engine with the old 4-speed "automatic" is not enough. Minus five.
Subaru with a sports coupe with a very similar name BRZ did not work out in Russia either - for the sake of customers who order one or two cars a month without much interest, dealers are also not particularly eager to carry them. The car cannot be reproached for being boring, but prices, especially after changes in the exchange rate, bite. Minus six.
… AND YOU ARE AWAY
So far, old models are being removed from the Russian market, and the sword of Damocles hangs over the new ones. Not only the next generation Mazda MX-5 and Audi TT Roadster are in question. For example, the most discussed topic at the meetings of the Russian representative office of Opel for the last couple of years is the Adam compact. But before the crisis, the supply issue had already been practically resolved positively, and there was even talk of the crazy adventurous Opel Adam Rocks - a convertible crossover! But now all this is unlikely. Like all these crazy new things, like the roofless Volkswagen Beetle or Scirocco or the potential Range Rover Evoque Cabrio that will or may appear in the future.
WHAT REMAINS
So it turns out that by the season, as a temporary or permanent car for the summer, essentially only the premium segment remains. After all, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche in Russia now feel the best of all, increasing sales one and a half to two times. There are fast, uncompromising roadsters with the best handling in the world, and comfortable luxury liners with two doors, and compact and more earthy convertibles. And another option for the brave - Smart cabriolet! By the way, the ideal solution is to use the Smart and it’s better to travel only in the summer and preferably in well-maintained areas, so let it be without a roof!
With all the difficulties of the crisis, our market will definitely not be left without some super-expensive Mercedes-Benz S-Class convertible.
And the second way is to go to the market or the site of ads for the sale of used cars. There is always more choice - you can find a car of any model year and at any price, choosing between several generations and segments at once. If you want - a relatively new Mazda MX-5, if you want - an old Mercedes-Benz SL, if you want - a car that is not supplied to the Russian market at all, and do not care about marketing strategies. It is only worth remembering that the closer summer is, the more expensive used convertibles are, because the demand for the sun overhead is growing every spring day.
