4×4 Sales up 13 per cent

Sales of 4×4 cars have risen by 13.4 per cent this year from 98,630 to 111,846 units, according to SMMT figures. While the market for new 4×4 cars continues to rise across the UK, the latest regional numbers reveal that in London sales are lower than the national average, only up 12.7 per cent from 5,616 to 6,331 units. From January to August 5.9 per cent of new cars sold in London were 4×4 off-road vehicles compared to a national average of 6.8 per cent. The total number of London new car registrations from January to August was 106,664 units.

Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, sugested that 4×4 drivers had been criticised for too long. “The idea that one in two new cars sold in London is a 4×4 is nothing but a myth. The reality is that the proportion is actually slightly lower than the national average. This is just one of the unhelpful stereotypes that are being used to berate drivers of this type of vehicle. Now we have revealed the facts about sales, perhaps we could start to have a more constructive dialogue about the kind of benefits that this type of vehicle offers new car buyers. I have invited the Mayor of London to talk to me about this but, to date, he has not been able to find time in his schedule.”