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I thought I read that Tata had given LR 400 million (I can't remember if it was pounds or $) for product development.
And I'm sure I read that Aussie LR sales were up 20% in 2008 when most makes went down.
So it might be a bit premature to write off LR.
If that's the case, imagine how many they'd have sold if they still had dealers.:oQuote:
Originally Posted by DiscoMick
Went back and found the reference and I got it wrong. According to LR International November 2008 p. 16, LR and Jaguar have launched a drive to hire 600 people and Tata has invested 700 million pounds to "create sustainable vehicles for the future".
"The focus of the campaign will be to work on new technology and product development programmes, as well as new vacancies in the purchasing, finance and human resource programmes," newly appointed LR chief executive David Smith said. "This demonstrates our confidence in the future. With our new owners we have entered an exciting era with stunning new models and ambitious technologies. I can't remember a better time to be part of the British car industry, and it certainly is a brilliant time for Jaguar Land Rover."
The story also says they're looking for "top quality candidates" to work on "cutting-edge" work. The company currently has about 16,000 staff.
Apart from David Smith obviously having a short memory about the British car industry, it is good to see that Tata is apparently using LR-Jag as a kind of British design and technology centre, as they were certainly starved of funds during the later years under ailing Ford. Hopefully some of the money will go on building a new Defender which is competitive in the market. The RR and Disco range are already the best out there so they can just refine them.
It would be nice if they made a serious attempt to boost their presence in Australia, but I suspect their focus will remain on Europe, the Middle East and North America.
Another story in the same issue reports production has been cut at Solihul as LR sales slump in the UK to the point where LR is no longer issuing monthly sales figures. The slump was blamed on the credit crunch, soaring fuel prices and punitive govt legislation aimed at luxury and 4x4 owners. But it also says sales are way up in China, Russia, Brazil, Australia, North America and the Middle East. LR entered Russia in 2001 and sold 300 vehicles. It expected to sell 22,000 in 2008.
LR is also planning a one-year big sales push in India, using its Tata ownership, and then to take Jaguar to India.
I'm sure I also read the LR sales in Australia were up 20% in 2008, but I don't recall where.
Just noticed your request for help.Quote:
Originally Posted by ORC1
Have a 1981 R/Rover still under the house in good condition and a May build 2008 Defender. Kept the R/Rover in case the Defender is not up to the standard of the R/Rover reliability wise plus the fact the dealer wanted it for next to nothing. The R/Rover despite being 28 years old is way ahead in the cabin comfort space, engine bay and acess to many items, and is better built in many areas.
The defender engine bay is to cramped, clutch master cylnder difficult to acess due to location of wiring harness. The Brisbane Land Rover dealer tells me the clutch slave clynder is inside the bell housing how do you change/repair that in the middle of Australia. If that is true what engineer decided to put that there as hydraulics will fail.
It is very common to use car fridges in Australia for camping etc, trying to install a second battery is diabolical unlike the R/Rover, need a dedicated spare battery storage area with acess points in the body for cabling to the rear cargo area.
Get rid of that massive spare tyre location off the rear door and not inside the vehicle. The tyre partialy obstructs the door handle of the rear door, and check strap does not hold door open on a gentle slope. This would also improve rear visibility.
Keep inside the rear of vehicle as square as possible to load stuff in, rounded corners etc waste space. One of the reasons we bought a Defender is it has a lot of practical cargo space.
Dust proofing, unsealed holes and water leaks need to be adressed, reduction of noise intrusion would be desirable.
Miss the fuel tank filler extension when using a jerry can to refuel.
Driver/passenger cabin space a bit cramped.
Defender turning circle is shocking compared to the Range Rover.
Defender front passenger doors have no check straps to keep the door fixed in the open position unlike the two rear doors.
The inner door trim has poor attachment clips (they break) as noticed when the drivers side intrusion bar was repositioned under warranty by the dealer.
The front wiper motor whines, should be near silent.
Should come standard with a tow bar.
Reintroduction of the rear locker would increase storage.
Vehicle alternator seems to be at risk to water entry, unlike the range rover which is up high.
The 1981 Range Rover Handbook is by far more informative than the Defender hand book. It does not tell you the importance of how to bleed of dirty diesel fuel.
Have not had the vehicle long enough to give more comment.