A recently conducted Polk study, quoted by The Detroit News, informs us that the apparent increase in popularity of cars with all-wheel drive can also be matched by actual figures.
Its data shows that a five percent increase in the sale of these vehicles through September of 2013, compared to the same time frame five years ago – now they make up one third of all new cars sold in the US.
Yes, you guessed it; it’s the popularity boom of crossovers that caused it, though, buyers of sedans who are also ticking this extra traction (and safety) box count too – who’d want an Audi A4 without Quattro, right?
The leading segment is that of non-premium compact crossovers. They now make up 13.6 percent of the market. In 2008, their share was only 9.6 percent.
Some buyers do see it as unnecessary because of a) the extra cost that they will have to bear (AWD adds about $2,000 to the price of an average car according to specialists’ estimates) and b) the dent it puts in the fuel economy figures. It’s expected not to deter luxury buyers, though, and that’s where the most notable rise is expected to occur next.
By Andrei Nedelea
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