When was the last time you saw a NEW Toyota convertible - we're talking this decade - out on the road?
Probably never, right? There's a good reason for it, too. The last year a Toyota convertible was ever produced was way back in 2008, the year that the Toyota Solara convertible was retired from the lineup. Since then, no new Toyotas of this particular submodel have been produced or sold. But why? Toyota of N Charlotte is here with answers.
Why are Toyota convertibles no longer on the market?
Convertibles used to be very popular drive time options, and not just Toyota convertibles, either. In fact, the Mazda Miata was the most popular convertible car of all time, selling over a million units after its introduction in 1989. Other makes hopped on board immediately, making convertible submodels like the Toyota Solara. So what happened? Here are the two main reasons you haven't seen and likely won't see a N Charlotte Toyota convertible anytime soon.
Fuel efficiency
When convertibles were designed, aerodynamics were definitely not factored into the equation (especially not like they are today). Cars like the N Charlotte Toyota Prius were designed around the principles of aerodynamics; their shape is sleek and smooth so they can easily cut through the wind and maintain a constant speed without having to use extra power (or fuel) to do so. Convertibles, on the other hand, actually trap air and create large amounts of drag. This slows them down as they move through the air and in turn you have to use extra fuel to maintain a constant speed.
Additionally, Toyota convertibles are heavier on the bottom to counteract the fact that they don't have any sort of roof, and this extra weight also burns more fuel, dragging down your fuel efficiency.
Safety
Convertible cars are also just inherently unsafe. All makes, even Toyota convertibles, typically had either a soft-top or retractable top. This takes away from the structural integrity of the vehicle, which makes you a lot more likely to be injured in an accident. Additionally, because of the lack of protection on the top of the car, you're extremely vulnerable to injury or worse should debris hit you in an accident or your car were to roll over. If Toyota wanted to put another convertible on the market, they'd basically have to go back to the drawing board to ensure that the car was structurally sound and also incorporated all of the safety features found in today's models.
Shop our N Charlotte Toyota inventory today
We may not have a N Charlotte Toyota convertible waiting on the lot, but we've got plenty of cars that are perfect for cruising! See them all now at Toyota of N Charlotte. We're open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. You can call us to schedule an appointment at (704) 875-9199.
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