Land Rover Commits Support to Red Cross and Red Crescent Global Initiative
August 25, 2010
Today (25 August 2010), Land Rover and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched a new global initiative, under the theme ‘Reaching Vulnerable People Around the World’. Over the next three years, Land Rover has committed to help national Red Cross or Red Crescent societies implement or step up priority programmes in fifteen countries, with a particular focus on two extensive humanitarian programmes in Sierra Leone and China.
“This new partnership with Land Rover will help us respond more quickly and effectively to help vulnerable people in local communities across the world,” noted IFRC under secretary general for programme services, Matthias Schmale. “We appreciate Land Rover’s long-term support. Their ongoing commitment will allow us to plan and implement sustainable humanitarian programmes to deliver lasting change for those affected by crisis. We have placed a high priority on risk reduction and disaster preparedness, and in that context, this initiative is extremely welcome.”
Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director, added: “Since 2007 Land Rover’s support to the IFRC has included the donation of 60 vehicles, raised over £2.5 million and reached nearly 100,000 people. Therefore, we are proud to again be working in partnership with the IFRC on important humanitarian initiatives such as these. The support we provide will help change lives across the world – making a huge difference to vulnerable people in hard-to-reach areas, both locally and overseas.”
Land Rover’s support will enable the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society to reach remote communities, improve access to health care and safe water, strengthen communities so they are more resilient to face future disasters, and support young people affected by civil war. This global initiative will also support the Red Cross Society of China’s HIV awareness programmes in the country’s worst-affected provinces, focussing on those who are particularly vulnerable to contracting HIV. In total, Land Rover’s support will provide vital help to over 120,000 vulnerable people in Sierra Leone and China.
In fifteen countries, Land Rover assistance will strengthen existing Red Cross and Red Crescent programmes or help develop new initiatives.
July 15, 2010
Gaydon, Warwickshire
The all-new Range Rover Evoque has entered its final phase of testing, with hundreds of prototype models dispatched around the globe for trial in the toughest climates and conditions.
Land Rover is making no secret of the operation - its design team has fitted ten prototypes with funky camouflage wraps, to introduce the new car in ten key cities worldwide.
Ordinarily prototypes are disguised for discretion, but these ten are intended to be seen. The funky camouflage imagery is actually a GPS mapping trail of ten key cities for Evoque, with each vehicle saying ‘Hello’ to its city. It signals the eagerly awaited global launch of the new Evoque.
These unmissable vehicles represent London, New York, Sao Paulo, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Berlin, Sydney, Shanghai and Moscow and will all be spotted testing around the globe. They are just a small proportion of the hundreds of pre-production cars that will be rigorously evaluated over millions of miles to ensure the new Range Rover Evoque surpasses the highest standards of quality and reliability when it goes on sale in summer 2011.
Teams of engineers will travel to 20 countries to pit the Range Rover Evoque against the most extreme conditions on earth, ranging from the Arctic to the desert, from German Autobahns to Tokyo city traffic. Alongside the engineers, Land Rover is working with 120 unique component suppliers and carrying out in excess of 17,000 individual tests to examine every separate part and system.
Like all Range Rovers, the new Evoque will have been proven against all the elements when it goes on sale next summer.
“The development stage is crucial in the year leading up to launching the car,” said Murray Dietsch, director of Land Rover programmes. “No stone is left unturned; we have a team of experienced and skilled engineers who will work to a tight schedule to ensure we have a top quality vehicle to offer our customers.”
The new Range Rover Evoque is the smallest, lightest and most fuel-efficient model the company has ever offered, and will be sold in 160 markets around the world.
Wed Jun 16, 2010
Gaydon, Warwickshire
The Land Rover Discovery 4, launched in September 2009, has been awarded ‘Britain’s Best Towcar’ in the annual Practical Caravan, The Camping & Caravanning Club & What Car? Towcar awards 2010.
The Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 XS, which features a class-leading 3500kgs towing ability and comes with optional intelligent towing technologies such as Tow Assist and Trailer Stability Assist, won its class and the overall title emphatically against tough competition from the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI Blue Efficiency Sport Estate, the Volvo XC60 D5 SE Geartronic, the Range Rover Sport 3.0-litre TDV6 HSE and the Kia Sedona 2.2 CRDi 3 auto.
David Motton, Towcar editor, Practical Caravan hailed the Discovery 4’s all round capability, saying: “The Land Rover Discovery 4 is an exceptional car. The old model was one of our favourite towcars, but the new Discovery 4 improves upon it in just about every area. It’s hard to say whether the 3.0-litre engine or the superb ride and handling deserve top billing.
“Most cars picked up far lower scores for practicality than for towing, a sign that manufacturers really need to think harder about towcar drivers’ needs. Land Rover leads the way, though. With its full-size spare, self-levelling suspension, Trailer Stability Programme, huge boot and many more practical features, the Discovery 4 ticks more boxes than just about any other car. It’s the best car in this year’s tests by some margin and a more than worthy overall winner,” he continued.
Anthony Bradbury, marketing director, Land Rover UK, said: “This is a hugely significant award for the Discovery 4 - which was comprehensively updated last year - and a true testament of the vehicle’s overall capability, package and refinement. With seating for seven, powered by the new LR-TDV6 3.0-litre diesel engine which delivers better fuel economy and a whopping 600Nm of torque, and a number of new, user-friendly technologies, it is the ideal towing vehicle and we are delighted to have been recognised in this way by Practical Caravan, The Camping & Caravanning Club and What Car?”
To find out more about the Discovery 4 click here
Tue Jun 01, 2010
The Range Rover will celebrate its 40th birthday on 17 June, 2010. One of the most significant vehicles in the history of motoring, the Range Rover was the world's first vehicle as good on-road as off-road. It was the first fully capable luxury 4x4 and was a milestone in the development of the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle).
"Land Rover has a unique history of product innovation. But the Range Rover probably remains the most historically significant vehicle we have ever launched. It is one of the most important vehicles in the history of motoring." Phil Popham, Land Rover Managing Director.
Thu May 06, 2010
Gaydon, Warwickshire
Land Rover, the leading manufacturer of prestigious SUV vehicles in the UK, is to create 275 new jobs at the company's manufacturing plant in Solihull, West Midlands.
The additional positions are required to support an increase in demand following the seventh consecutive month of improved sales. March sales in the UK recorded the highest figures for any month in the company's 62 year history.
Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director commented: "These additional positions are excellent news for the manufacturing industry in the Midlands. It comes as a result of a phenomenal response received from customers and the media to the award winning 2010 model year range, giving Land Rover an incredible start to the year."
More than 5,000 people work at the Solihull plant. The extra 275 agency positions are required to start immediately to boost the build rate in light of the increased demand for the new vehicle 2010 model year range.
In March 2010, Land Rover sales in the UK were up 67% on the same month last year selling over 11,300 vehicles. As well as the iconic Defender model, the Solihull plant is responsible for manufacturing the company's acclaimed Discovery 4 which saw sales increase by 58% together with the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover models both also up by 70% and 36% respectively compared to the same period last year.
Solihull is a flexible manufacturing operation with a commitment to excellent levels of quality, and these new positions will support the delivery of more prestigious SUVs to our customers around the world.
Fri May 14, 2010
Land Rover intends to introduce 2WD as an additional powertrain option for the new compact Range Rover, which will emit less than 130g/km of CO2 - making it the lightest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever. It will go on sale in 2011.
Phil Popham, Managing Director, Land Rover – “Land Rover has announced today that the all-new compact Range Rover will be available in 2WD. This is good news for the company and for our customers. We’re adding to the Land Rover range and expanding our customer base. We will continue to make the ‘World’s Finest All-Terrain Vehicles’ for those customers who require them but will offer an alternative to those that don’t. 2WD is also an important way to deliver improved vehicle efficiency.”
Fri May 14, 2010
Gaydon, Warwickshire
The positive sales trend continues for Land Rover globally with sales up 29.7% for April and 35.2% year to date. Land Rover UK sees its eighth consecutive month of improvement up 54% for April and 61% year to date, ahead of the rest of the sector.
The overall upward trend continues in nearly all global Land Rover markets. Most notable are USA up 34.6% with 2,749 units, China up 124.8% with over 2000 units and France up 131.9%.
Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director commented: 'The investment in and the success of the latest 2010 model range, including comprehensive exterior, interior, powertrain and technology improvements, are integral to driving this momentum. Demand is, in fact, so strong that we have just announced 275 new jobs at the Company’s manufacturing plant in Solihull.'
Land Rover manufactures Defender, Discovery 4, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover at the Solihull factory.
