Four-Wheel-Drive Gets a Grip in the West

Production of four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles in North America is expected to increase from around a quarter of all new light vehicles produced to close to 37% by 2008, according to a new report by J.D. Power and Associates. Sales are expected to grow in Europe but decline in the Far East.

The 2004 Global 4WD-Driveline Market ReportSM is based on automotive historical sales and production, demographic patterns, economic indicators and other market intelligence. It defines four-wheel drive as the ability to send torque to all four wheels, regardless of whether a vehicle rides on a rear-wheel- or front-wheel-derived platform, or is car-based or truck-based.

Systems based on front-wheel drive are expected to boom from around 13% of the North American market now to around 32% in 2008, while rear-wheel drive declines (obviously) from 87% to 68%. 4WD is most common in SUVs - approximately 64% are equipped with it - followed by pickups (42%), vans (4%) and cars (3%).

According to Patrick Nally, senior manager of component forecasting at J.D. Power and Associates, 'The explosion of the SUV market in North America has naturally led to an increase in interest in four-wheel-drive systems. While the SUV and pickup segments will continue to make up the bulk of four-wheel drive-vehicles, we see fairly substantial growth of these systems in the van, crossover and car segments.

4WD vehicle sales in Japan and Korea are expected to decrease from 29% of the market today to 23% by 2008, while in Europe 4WD vehicles currently make up only 4% of sales but this should grow to 8% by 2008.

'Consumers in Japan and Korea who want a four-wheel-drive vehicle already have one', says Patrick Nally, 'so we don't see the opportunity for growth there like we do in the United States and Canada. Also, with the shifting of production to North America, there will be less production of four-wheel-drive vehicles in Japan and Korea.

'We're seeing a growing demand for four-wheel-drive systems in Europe, where consumers want their vehicles to keep up with their active lifestyle, regardless of the terrain or weather'. 2984

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

• JD Power and Associates (UK)
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