4×4 Market Shows No Sign of Tiring

According to Cooper Tires 4×4 tyre sales have increased by a staggering 151 per cent in the last five years. In 2004, there were 1.25 million 4×4 tyres sold throughout the UK, a jump from 825,000 in 2000.

Factors such as 4×4 fashions and the increasing number of “Chelsea tractors” in town and city centers are thought to have influenced this growth. Other trends such as the replacement of standard manufacturer fitted wheels and tyres with larger sizes are also affecting the market.

Not only has demand for 4x4s vehicles almost doubled in the past five years, vehicle manufacturers are building heavier, more powerful models, which in turn places even greater demands on the performance of the tyres.

Cooper Tires has responded not only by supplying motorists with larger tyres, but has also increased the speed rating, with some 4×4 tyres now V-speed rated (150mph).