Thread: First Look at Freelander 2 - Don't Like It

Originally Posted by BigJon

???

We sell quite a few (Discos, that is), and we are right in the middle of the Toyota Stronghold as far as markets are concerned.
Tour operators love them too.

I wasn't aware that LR were having any trouble selling them at all. We haven't yet sold a Freelander 2, but there is quite a lot of interest. For the first time Subaru buyers and Land Rovers buyers are crossing between brands for similar size and price vehicles (Freelander 2 vs Subaru Tribeca).

I think the monthly sales figures tell it all - the only Landrover models that sell reasonably well in their slot are the Range Rovers - D3s, Defenders and even the new Freelander all sell in poor numbers in their market slots.

I've clocked up 5k on my FL2 HSE TD4 now and made a number of trips along West Coast beaches of Tassie and I'm delighted with the car, it does everything that I hoped it would - handling soft sand and river crossings with ease. On the highway it is one of the best handling and comfortable cars that I have ever driven - averaging 8.6 litres per 100 cruising at 110ks and with ample reserves for quick overtaking when needed. With only 15% of my time actually off-road it meets my needs perfectly.

Originally Posted by garrycol

I think the monthly sales figures tell it all - the only Landrover models that sell reasonably well in their slot are the Range Rovers - D3s, Defenders and even the new Freelander all sell in poor numbers in their market slots.

Comapred to what? What is your baseline? As far as I know, they are selling as many D3s, Sports, etc as they can get into the country. Can't sell what you don't have!

Comapred to what? What is your baseline? As far as I know, they are selling as many D3s, Sports, etc as they can get into the country. Can't sell what you don't have!

Compared to everything else sold in Australia.
Not one Land Rover model appeared in the top 5 sales of any segment in the latest Overlander.
The Luxury SUV segment July 2007 sales were
BMW X5=300,Lexus RX=230,Mercedes ML=161,Volvo XC90=137, Jeep Grand Cherokee=132.
In other words just about every competitor bar Toureg outsold it.


The problem with selling so few is that Land Rover cannot have a cohesive dealer network outside of capital cities and large centres such as Newcastle.

With total Australia sales of maybe 200 per month of all models, it is not worthwhile for a dealer to take on Land Rover because of the cost of Special tools, mandatory parts buys, and technician training. How many would a dealer in Alice sell? 1 every 3 months?

There was a question about the proof of poor D3 reliability.
1 JD Power survey. Last one I looked at LR3 was LAST.
2 4WD Monthly. LR3 electronics failed. Others didn't.
3 Reports in Exploroz, suspension down on several occasions on canning trip.
4 Club member experience, lack of ground clearance, failed spring suspension.

Having been in the industry for 20 years, I find it hard to accept that after 3 years of a model, Australia does not rate sufficient allocation. Model shortages usually exist for about the first 6 months to a year at the outside. LR has some big plants in the UK ( Ford Dagenham) so any rational maker would ramp up production if the model was successful.

Or Land Rover Management is totally incompetent.
Regards Philip A

Just for fun and to cement my reputation as a train spotter, I had a look at DOTAR recalls in Australia from 2005-2007.
LR3=3
Grand Cherokee=3
BMW X5 =nil
Toureg=1
Volvo XC90=4
Terracan=1
Land Cruiser=2
Patrol=nil
So better than some /one? but worse than most.
regards Philip A

25 defenders sold so far this year in the whole of Australia - wow

Or maybe it's like your wine exports....

We only get your run of the mill **** over here as you guys keep the good stuff for yourselves.



I'll go & crawl back into my hole now...

M

And thats because the Poms are cheapskates and buy most of their wine from Tesco.
Good wine at the right price doesn't sell.
And the few poms that are discriminating buy French wine because they are label snobs.
Howzat! LOL.
Regards Philip A