Apollo book released for growing 4×4 market

Saloon car owners here in the UK have long drawn pleasure from deriding the “Chelsea tractor”, and giving drivers of off-roaders ample guff about their vehicles’ environmental hostility and shyness to leave the tarmac is a firmly entrenched part of our motoring culture. But it seems that over in India the 4×4 has yet to be tarred with this brush. Recognising their widespread appeal, Apollo Tyres has released a 4×4 coffee table book in conjunction with Autocar India.

“Young or old, male or female, if asked ‘What vehicle would you like to drive?’ increasingly an overwhelming majority name a utility vehicle,” states Apollo Tyres upon announcing the launch of ‘Driving Off The Map: The World of 4×4’. “This is one vehicle segment that knows no age gap, and has been a perennial favourite of the young and the young at heart – looking to rev up a powerful engine and drive off into the sunset.”

More than a handful of people in India, it seems, hanker to drive towards the late evening sun with motors throbbing: According to Apollo, a quarter of all private vehicles sold in India are utility vehicles, and their sales are growing at a higher rate than for passenger cars – at present the utility vehicle market is growing at 17 per cent per annum, as opposed to 15 per cent for passenger cars, and it is tipped to accelerate to 22 per cent in the next year or so. This growing interest in the segment has been Apollo’s main incentive to release the book, which it describes as bringing “into the comfort of one’s home all that the potential sports utility vehicle owner ever wanted to know, but didn’t have the energy to google.” The publication covers, amongst other topics, the 4×4’s history and evolution plus numerous practical tips and techniques. Tyres also get a mention.

“Imagine an open road. A rocky uphill drive. A cluster of sand dunes. All silently inspiring you to take on the challenge, hit the road, burn some rubber and live some more,” exclaims Apollo Tyres vice-chairman and managing director Neeraj Kanwar in the book’s foreword. Those seeking additional life can, provided they live in India, obtain a copy of the book from all major bookstore chains. Further information can be obtained and online orders placed through the apollotyres.com website.