MINI Convertible Might Get The Axe, For Obvious SUV-Related Reasons

Booming sales of crossovers and SUVs have already spelled the end of several models, and it appears that the MINI Convertible is on the list too.

The open-top subcompact, which was launched in the United States back in 2005, is not that popular nor cheap to buy, so the carmaker has reportedly decided to drop it altogether.

The information comes via supply chain sources, cited by AutoNews, and if accurate, then the MINI Convertible will bite the dust in February 2024, when production of the current generation is allegedly scheduled to end.

The news outlet contacted MINI for an official statement, but a spokesperson declined to confirm it, saying only that “the Convertible remains an appealing model in MINI’s lineup”.

The statement is not backed up by the sales charts, which show that only 4,031 were sold in the U.S. last year, down from 2018’s 5,334. This makes the Convertible the lowest-selling MINI after the Clubman.

With an MSRP of $27,900, the MINI Convertible is pricier than the popular Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster, which starts at $26,580. It’s also more expensive than the much bigger Ford Mustang EcoBoost and Chevrolet Camaro, which are listed from $26,670 and $25,000 respectively. The aging Dodge Challenger can be had from $28,095.

Three versions of the MINI Cooper Convertible are offered in the US market, including the entry-level Classic, $31,400 Signature and $35,400 Iconic, all of them packing a 134 HP 1.5-liter motor. The Cooper S, which starts at $32,400 and gets the 189 HP 2.0-liter engine, is also available, alongside the 228 HP John Cooper Works variant, priced from $38,400.

Update: CarScoops was unable to confirm the rumor, with MINI USA’s Head of Corporate Communications, Andrew Cutler, telling us the following:

“While it’s our policy not to provide comment on unconfirmed speculation, I can tell you that the MINI Convertibles remain an appealing part of our brand lineup.”