Deep Drive Podcast: Why 4x4s Matter More Than Their Sales Numbers

Despite accounting for only a small share of India's passenger vehicle market, 4x4s play a significant role in shaping brand perception, customer aspiration and product positioning.

05 Jul 2026 | 413 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau

Four-wheel-drive vehicles account for only a small fraction of overall passenger vehicle sales in India, but their influence extends well beyond volumes. From strengthening a brand's image to showcasing engineering capability and creating aspirational halo products, 4x4s often have a disproportionate impact on how manufacturers are perceived.

In this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast, Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor, Autocar India, and Sergius Barretto, Managing Editor, Autocar India, discuss why 4x4s remain strategically important, how they contribute to brand identity, and whether they continue to have a place in an increasingly electrified and urban-focused automotive market.

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