Land Rover 2WD plans
May 11th, 2010 by Richard Aucock
LAND Rover will introduce a front-wheel drive version of the new baby Range Rover to dealers next year.
The compact Range Rover LRX-inspired model will be offered in both 2WD and 4WD forms, the firm has just announced.
This will cut the CO2 figures of the diesel model dramatically: Land Rover says the model will sit in the super-green 120g/km CO2 bracket.
It will make it one of the world’s greenest SUVs!
The firm is keen for car dealers to assure customers it is not abandoning 4WD, though. The new 2WD baby Range Rover will be an addition to the range. ‘Land Rover remains committed to leadership 4WD,’ said MD Phil Popham.
Sales figures to support Land Rover’s decision are strong, says Popham. The 2WD SUV sector grew by 14 percent in 2008 – and rose to 22 percent in 2009. What’s more while the total SUV sector dropped last year, 2WD sales went UP by 100,000.
This new entrant will thus allow Land Rover car dealers ‘to meet that need’.
That’s not all, said the MD. ‘We are investigating opportunities for 2WD on other Land Rover products.’ This means a 2WD Freelander with lower CO2 emissions is all-but certain.
If you are a Land Rover dealer, what do you think of the firm’s latest bold move? Do you think it will help you capture extra sales conquests?
By Richard Aucock
Tags: CO2, green, land rover, lrx, range rover