‘Chelsea tractor’ sales hit by tax hikes

LONDON (AFP) – Sales of gas guzzling four-wheel drive vehicles have dropped sharply in Britain amid looming tax increases aimed at fighting air pollution and curbing global warming.

The Times newspaper added that the second-hand value of four-wheel drive vehicles — known as “Chelsea Tractors” for the hulking vehicle’s prevalence in the affluent London borough — is also dropping fast.

Sales of new 4×4 vehicles dropped by more than 15 percent in November compared with the same month in 2005, and have fallen in every month this year except March, it said, citing the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The society’s figures, set to be released shortly, also show that sales in the year to date have declined six percent compared with growth of four percent last year, it said.

AFP