Even Volkswagen’s Last Convertible Can’t Escape the Ax: T-Roc Cabriolet to Be Discontinued by Mid-2027

Volkswagen is pulling the plug on its only convertible model, the T-Roc Cabriolet, with production set to end by mid-2027. The decision comes as demand for open-top cars continues to slide, forcing the automaker to slash output at its Osnabrück factory in Germany. A Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that the plant’s traditional summer shutdown will be extended by a week, and further production pauses are planned. The T-Roc Cabriolet, a crossover with a fabric roof, has struggled to find buyers, with sales peaking only between spring and early summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The model’s retirement leaves the Osnabrück factory’s 2,300 employees in limbo, as Volkswagen has yet to announce what will replace the T-Roc Cabriolet. Speculation suggests the plant could be repurposed for defense contracts, but no official decision has been made. Workers at the factory will reportedly shift to a four-day workweek due to the cuts. While Volkswagen phases out its sole convertible, other brands under the VW Group umbrella are doubling down on open-top models. Porsche is finalizing the fully electric 718 and plans to revive the Boxster with a combustion engine. Audi is developing an electric sports car with a retractable targa roof, set to debut in 2027, while the Nuvolari is expected to spawn a Spyder variant. High-end cabriolets from Porsche, Bentley, and Lamborghini will also remain in production. The T-Roc Cabriolet’s demise is part of a broader restructuring at Volkswagen, which has already shuttered plants in Dresden (where the Phaeton and ID.3 were built) and Brussels (home to the Q8 E-Tron) due to weak demand. The company’s plan includes cutting 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 and relocating Golf production from Wolfsburg to Puebla, Mexico, starting in 2027. The move underscores the challenges facing Volkswagen as it navigates shifting consumer preferences and a shrinking convertible market.