Sales for Peugeot Cabriolets is Strong

The British obsession with open top motoring continues with sales of cabriolets/convertibles continuing to buck weather trends.

Data from the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) shows that motorists bought a total of 17,475 convertibles (cabriolets/coupe cabriolets) over the summer (May – August) despite the weather being increasingly unpredictable and - for the majority of July and August – which was a total wash out.

Year to date, Peugeot has seen sales of over 2,000 of its 207 CC (Coupé Cabriolet) and 308 CC models, with purchases across the summer months (May – August 2012) contributing to 33 per cent of the overall Cabriolet sales in the UK.

Mark Blundell, Peugeot UK Product Manager, said: “This is a classic demonstration of the optimistic British spirit when it comes to the UK weather. Clearly undeterred by the climate, motorists still continued to purchase cabriolet cars, which is obviously good news for the motor industry.

“Cabriolets and convertibles are still seen as a status symbol for many motorists across the UK. The idea of driving around with the top down is still a dream for drivers young and old across the country and without doubt instils an element of the green eyed monster into those that are not lucky enough to own a cabriolet for themselves.”

Peugeot also experienced a healthy spike in sales of both the 207 CC (441) and 308 CC (175) in March this year when the temperatures broke records.

Mark continued: “Typically we would expect strong sales of Coupé Cabriolet sales around the spring months as motorists plan ahead in advance of the summer months but for summer Coupé Cabriolet purchases to have accounted for over a third of our overall sales is surprising given the overtly wet conditions this year.

“Then again the beauty of our Coupé Cabriolets is that no matter what the weather delivers, drivers can quickly adapt with the ability to put the top up or down as the case may be, in as little as 25 seconds – in fact less time than it takes for the traffic lights to change.”

Peugeot’s is currently offering the limited edition Roland Garros 207 CC and 308 CC models for those dreaming of an Indian Summer, which judging by today’s weather, it may well be coming.

The Peugeot 207 CC Roland Garros edition comes as a 1.6-litre VTi petrol or a 1.6-litre HD 112bhp diesel engine, with the 308 CC version available as either a 156bhp or 200bhp 1.6-litre petrol or a 163bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine.

The 207 CC is offered in either Onyx Black or Bianca White with 17 inch-alloy wheels, while the 308 CC comes finished in either Nera Black or Pearl White and features 18-inch Dark Storm alloys.