4WD SALES GROWING; WE LIKE OUR CARS BIG.

Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer

WESTLAKE VILLAGE - Four-wheel-drive has gripped the American consumer, according to a study released Monday by J.D. Power and Associates.

Fueled by the boom in truck and sport utility vehicle popularity, the 2004 Global 4WD-Driveline Market Report found that 4WD vehicles currently make up 25 percent of all new North American light-vehicle production and should increase sharply to 37 percent in four years. Though the bulk of sales will remain with the larger vehicles, the study sees growth in vans, crossover SUVs and even cars, as manufacturers like Lexus and Volkswagen begin to add the all-wheel option.

Though the system, which delivers torque to all four wheels for added traction, was originally a must-have for off-road enthusiasts and drivers in cold climates, it has become a standard option on vehicles that never encounter anything rougher than traffic on the 405 Freeway.

``American buyers like big cars, big trucks and big power - it's just how we are,'' said Pat Nally, senior manager of component forecasting for J.D. Power. ``Some drivers buy it because someday they might need it, thinking, I want to be the guy who gets to work safely and can pick up his kids when it snows.''

Not that that's particularly a concern in Los Angeles, but it still proves to be a selling point. At Hummer of Sherman Oaks, where 4WD comes standard on all models, sales manager Jerrold Whitmore said the system attracts buyers, even though very few of them ever go off-road.

``Is there a cool factor to it?'' Whitmore said. ``Absolutely, just to say, Hey, I've got all the options. It's one that you kind of have to have for the person who wants to be able to say it's fully loaded.''

Nally said buyers usually opt for the system for its perception of safety, improved safety in hazardous conditions and coolness. He saw the most growth in snowy climates, but noted they were also popular in urban areas.

``It's part of the SUV trend, where people think that if they're getting a bigger vehicle, then it's something they need,'' said Christian Lee, technical editor for the enthusiast magazine 4WD & Sport Utility. ``But we don't get enough rain here so it really matters and it's not going to save you from an accident.''

He also pointed out that while they boast increased traction, 4WD vehicles also get worse fuel efficiency than their two-wheel-drive counterparts and tend to have higher insurance premiums.

Brent Hopkins, [phone]

brent.hopkins(at)dailynews.com