Truth behind 4x4 sales dip

Motorists haven't stopped buying 4x4s - they're simply waiting for the new models to be launched!

Auto Express Car Reviews

Freelander 2 is among vehicles set to increase 4x4s’ popularity in 2007

18th December 2006

Green campaigners have been predicting the death of the so-called 'Chelsea tractor' following a recent dip in sales. But the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says it's mostly registrations of the UK's two most popular off-roaders that have suffered in the last year - because they're both being relaunched. A spokesman said: "Rumours of the demise of the 4x4 have been greatly exaggerated. There were 10,000 fewer sales over the last year, nearly 5,000 of which were for the outgoing Land Rover Freelander, which has not been made since July. The new model only went on sale last week.

"Another 1,028 were for the Honda CR-V, which is also being facelifted. What's left is a three to four per cent drop in sales, which is absolutely in line with the rest of the market."

Motorists could also be spurred on by Chancellor Gordon Brown's decision to spare gas-guzzlers from increased car taxes in last week's pre-Budget report. Land Rover says it already has a four-month waiting list for its fresh-faced Freelander 2.