Mazda's MX-5 (37) is still the niche leader, but much further down the mountain than last year and being chased strongly by the MG TF (29) upgrade to the older F series. Between them they left the Toyota MR2 (8) and Honda S2000 (2) in the dust in 2002.
Toyota fared better in the coupé sports area with its Celica (47), though numbers still dropped alarmingly over 2001. In this area, Hyundai's Coupe (662) is the far-out brand leader.
The ultimate sports car for most people, Porsche, stayed level with last year selling 35 units.
- Brian Byrne