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 4x4 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.

By contrast, sales of small cars and people carriers have risen significantly.

In a decade of unbroken growth, the daily said, sales of four-wheel drive vehicles more than doubled from 78,000 in 1996 to 187,000 last year.

Fueling the decline, according to motoring groups, is a growing public antipathy towards owners of gas guzzling cars that is being fanned by environmental groups alarmed about global warming.

Would-be buyers of large, fuel-hungry cars are also aware that the government and local authorities are beginning to impose extra taxes on such vehicles.

In March, finance minister Gordon Brown introduced a new top rate of vehicle excise duty of 215 pounds (318 euros, 422 dollars) for the most polluting cars, including the BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Shogun and Toyota Land Cruiser.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone announced plans last month to triple the daily congestion charge to 25 pounds for large cars and trucks in the city of London and exempt cleaner vehicles.

The charges, initially aimed at reducing traffic volume in London, are also considered a benefit in the fight against pollution and global warming.

Subject to legal review, the new levy could be introduced in 2009 or 2010.

The Greenpeace environmental group hailed the plans, saying that imposing higher fees on four-wheel drive vehicles than on smaller cars, while exempting electric cars, will force consumers to make choices about the cars they buy.

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