Long live the Defender

**VladTepes** · 17th January 2005, 11:12 AM

WTF are they doing :?:

Outlaw has posted a couple of news articles (see home page) which desribe Land Rover's increasing strengths as a company with increased profitability and sales.

Surely closing dealerships is not in that interest.

Here's my theory.

In major centres (read capital cities) there will be a few "LandRover Lifestyle Centres" - large shops which will sell vehicles. LR branded bicycles, LR clothing, LR toys etc etc etc all at hugely inflated prices. They will include workshops where you can sit down and have a latte while your car is serviced.... and so on.

In country areas, Land Rover sales and servicing will be taken over by Ford dealerships. Some (not all) of these will become joint branded Ford / LR dealerships.

So, do ya reckon I'm close...... :?:

The main issues I have are:
1. They are getting rid of dealers with years of experience, knowledge, and a customer base. (and try getting series or even older 110 models etc info from a Ford Dealer) :roll:

2. They need to maintain an extensive dealer newtwork / spares availability to have an ongoing presence in thius country. History has taught that lesson, but will they heed it ? Thus my theory about the Ford dealerships.

Redbak · 17th January 2005, 11:16 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>In major centres (read capital cities) there will be a few "LandRover Lifestyle Centres" - large shops which will sell vehicles. LR branded bicycles, LR clothing, LR toys etc etc etc all at hugely inflated prices. [/b][/quote]

This describes the "Shop" at Solihull, maybe its a prototype ...

Davo

**hiline** · 17th January 2005, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by VladTepes
So, how many kids did you have to offload to get the 130 :?:

(Maybe I'd better get busy...) :wink:

none to buy it
only to get it serviced by a dealer
:wink:

**noddy** · 17th January 2005, 11:48 AM

Vlad -- the brave new world for LRA as you have described is not all badl, however:

1. there is no certainty that it will happen;
2. it sounds like the process they have followed to cull their existing dealership is flawed.

I have no problem with LRA culling non-performing dealerships in regional centres. Lets face, some are no more than a fluro sign. They are dealerships selling multiple brands and providing no meaningful support to the LR brand in either sales or service.

If LRA can negotiate a distribution network in conjunction with Ford (yet to be seen), it will provide one of the largest networks in the country, capable of rivalling Toyo and Nissan. That cannot be a bad thing, especially when they have the confidence of new models to really push against the Japs.

The way I see LRA, and it has been the case since JRA was dissolved, is a rudderless ship in all facets of its business; marketing, product development, distribution/channels. The company is moribund, except when a new model arrives off the boat from the old country!

Going straight for the jugular....if Ford Australia took over everything in terms of marketing, distribution and even service, the franchise would be in better hands. At the end of the day, the only thing going for LRA is the vehicles they try to sell....and they cannot even do that very well.

**VladTepes** · 17th January 2005, 12:55 PM

Amen.

**Ace** · 17th January 2005, 03:57 PM

Originally posted by Redbak
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Land Rover Aust have withdrawn his dealership from him affective as of Oct this year

My dealer told me LR closed FOURTY FIVE dealerships throughout Australia.
My dealer was also one of them.

Davo[/b][/quote]

WTF!!!! How the hell do ford think they will make money by letting things like that happen. As if getting people to buy them wanst hard enough with a lack advertising, now people wont buy them because 1- there isnt anywhere to buy them. 2- people want to be able to get good service, if they cant they wont buy the vehicle, no matter how good it is. Matt

**LandyAndy** · 17th January 2005, 08:51 PM

Wouldnt mind betting that within the next 12 months you will be able to buy your Landys and service/parts from your local ford dealer.
Andrew

**Ace** · 17th January 2005, 08:53 PM

Originally posted by LandyAndy
Wouldnt mind betting that within the next 12 months you will be able to buy your Landys and service/parts from your local ford dealer.
Andrew

Thats what the Bathurst Dealer is- a Ford/Mitsubishi/Land Rover Dealer. Matt

**Gaz69** · 17th January 2005, 09:09 PM

There has been speculation in the media that Ford is Trialling the V6 diesel from the Landrover in their Territory. If they go ahead with production you can bet your bottom dollar that Ford dealers will share showroom space with Landrover.
I hope the local dealer here in Mildura looses their franchise as they are useless. Mate of mine went shopping last year for replacement for his Pajero and they told him not to buy a Disco. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img] He ended up buying new Pajero from another town!
Mind you the dealer in Broken hill is pretty good. Helps Dad out and they do carry some spares. Local dealer here did not even have an A/C belt for my defender

Gaz

**LandyAndy** · 17th January 2005, 09:19 PM

If that V6 diesel ends up in the Territory,odds on the Falcoon products will get it.What a marketing advantage over the Dunnydoors.
Andrew

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