All New Land Rover & Range Rover

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:05:00 GMT

Two fantastic events have happened in recent weeks which I hope will become apparent to all in 2013.

The first is Land Rover understanding it is a Global Brand with Heritage to die for and a realignment of its Brand Identity. This may sound trivial and alongside regional conflicts, poverty, the demise of the Ash tree and the US election you are probably right. The reason that this Land Rover shift is such a “Halleluiah Moment” is my own personal belief and respect for the brand.

I have loved Land Rovers for over 35 years. During this period I have purchased approximately 30 new vehicles and 18 second hand. I have witnessed the best and the worst of Dealerships and Service Departments. I have used them for pleasure, work, rallied them and restored them. I have owned from new every model other than the Evoque and just picked up a brand new Discovery 4 today.
In spite of everything I will always drive a Land Rover. I have driven Porsche 4x4s, Toyotas, Mitsubishis, Nissans, Fords, Hummers, BMWs et al. I still return to my first and favourite love; it is 'Simply the Best'.

For years I have watched Land Rover and especially their Agencies constantly want the grass on the other side of the fence. I have seen logos come and logos go. I have seen colours change and a split between Range Rover and Land Rover. All has been in the name of “More Modern” or “It's not relevant to modern life”. The most emphatic militants for constant change, when challenged, admitted they had never spent their own money on buying a Land Rover. Some had never been in a Dealership! Land Rover has succeeded in spite of everything agencies and owners could do to change it.

It may come as no shock that I also love Harley Davidson motorbikes and drink Guinness. Iconic brands that have no rational reason for being:- they are just beautiful.

The current Land Rover Management team has finally asked about the Emperor’s new clothes and has acknowledged how respected their name and products are worldwide. I salute them for understanding that they need only one brand and one logo. Their products are now world-beaters and they stand alone as the only exclusive 4x4 manufacturer in the world. They are British and proud of it and have no need to look over the fence. Iconic design has led the way and by being true to their roots success continues to flood in.

Their new advertising is sublime and so on the mark. I feel Land Rover has come of age and I only hope they will be strong enough to carry their mantra for many years to come. The teams that are steering Brand direction and Design will be responsible for the unparalleled success I think this famous marque will now enjoy.

This leads neatly into the All New Range Rover. You have probably seen in the press that journalists have been lucky enough to be test driving this vehicle in Marrakech.

The reviews have been stunning. It has set a new bench mark in vehicle design from the ground up.

Yes, it is at the premium end of the automotive industry but what a car!

When this hits the UK market in 2013 it will be the car to have. There is no question that if you can afford one you will buy one. It is peerless in looks, luxury and capability. All the opposition will be looking over Land Rover’s fence.

For those of us perhaps not flush with funds in this part of the economic cycle and thus not ready to buy a new Range Rover we will also gain. We will benefit from the R&D Land Rover is now committed to as it filters down through the model line up and improves every vehicle they make.

I only need those six lucky numbers on Saturday night and my deposit will be with a Dealership on Monday.

Why do Americans get all the fun?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:47:00 GMT

It seems as if Rodeo is a Cowboy thing and Americans are the only ones to enjoy and watch such spectacles. There is an animal welfare issue as men try to ride Bulls and Broncos but it seems that it is the Cowboys and girls that get hospitalised.

Now I suggest we have let a golden opportunity slip through our fingers. Why don’t we have something similar in Wales? I say Wales because I live on the border and have seen the stock Welsh hill farmers can breed; giant beasts that can climb near vertical slopes and survive eleven months of rain and snow. Not bulls or broncos but fearless hill sheep.

Yesterday, a local farmer who keeps stock on one of our fields arrived in his trusty Land Rover Discovery fitted with brutal Off Road tyres towing an Ifor Williams stock trailer. There was a wind of drama in the air and I even thought I heard a tune whistled reminiscent of a Clint Eastwood movie.

The next thirty minutes witnessed some of the best outdoor entertainment ever seen in Herefordshire. The subterfuge was the regular feeding of the ewes. However they had failed to spot the Ifor Williams trailer. As soon as heads were in the trough the farmer leapt upon his tup named Psycho. The Show began.

You don’t get a name like Psycho without good reason and with full winter coat this ram had a destiny to fulfil. Fierce, powerful and weighing in at more than the farmer he took off like a rocket with the farmer holding on to the fleece but otherwise on his side being dragged along the ground in the direction of our lake. Psycho jumped, bucked and reared, twisted, ran and circled.

Eventually after what seemed like ten minutes the farmer with a deft Taekwondo like move brought them both to a crashing halt, he was winded and on his back with Psycho on top of him. At this point I am not sure who had scored the most points.

I should caution any reader that if they ever find themselves under a tup they are in a very delicate and perhaps illegal situation. It is also very difficult to remove the dye from the back of your clothing and many of your friends will know precisely what has happened.

Anyway at this point the farmer renewed his attack and threw his arms around Psycho firmly embracing him around the Brisket. Another lifetime of antics ensued as Tup and Man wrestled around the field clearing everything in their wake including part of the hedge line. Finally due partly to exhaustion on both sides a truce seemed to materialise. It was only the final bolt from Psycho that inadvertently took him into the trailer that saved the day.

The farmer a close friend of ours was grinning from ear to ear at his accomplishment and shouted 'That’s it! - he is off to market'.

So why do we let Americans have all the fun? I would pay good money to watch this sport and it would make great TV. I really would have liked to see some of the great moves by both of them in slow motion with Hanson & Shearer commentating.

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All New Land Rover & Range Rover

Why do Americans get all the fun?