UK: Price cuts give Land Rover sales boost

Boosted by price reductions and a new model Freelander, Land Rover enjoyed a strong sales increase in Britain during September. Figures just released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show sales of Land Rover vehicles rose 4.0 percent in September, compared with 1999. This compares with an overall reduction in the new car market of 8.7 percent for September. Year-to-date, Land Rover sales are up 3.1 percent.

bcusack October 18, 2000

Boosted by price reductions and a new model Freelander, Land Rover enjoyed a strong sales increase in Britain during September.

Figures just released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show sales of Land Rover vehicles rose 4.0 percent in September, compared with 1999. This compares with an overall reduction in the new car market of 8.7 percent for September. Year-to-date, Land Rover sales are up 3.1 percent.

Land Rover’s strong performance was led by the Freelander. Sales of new 2001 specification models helped the Freelander register a 35.2 percent increase in sales for the month, compared with September 1999. The new models include a powerful new 2.5 litre V6 petrol engined version and a new 2.0 litre 4 cylinder diesel. The new Freelanders also feature other improvements shared with the existing 1.8 litre petrol model.

“I am delighted with our September sales performance,” said Mike Wright, managing director of Land Rover UK: “Our recently announced price reductions, of up to 14 percent, plus the introduction of the new Freelander, have obviously given Land Rover sales a boost. We are confident of continuing our good performance, and our growing market share, for the remaining months of 2000, and beyond.”