Jaguar Land Rover has been awarded ‘Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year’ at the 13th Annual Industry Awards, hosted by Bodyshop Magazine at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham. The awards recognise excellence in dealer bodyshops and repair centres.

Jaguar Land Rover triumphed over strong competition from other manufacturers to scoop the accolade. The award continues to reinforce the confidence held by the bodyshops, dealers and customers alike that Jaguar Land Rover is committed to being the best in vehicle repair and finish. The winners of the award were judged on criteria such as training, network development and customer satisfaction. The current and future strategies are also examined for soundness and to show the clarity of the direction the programme is heading towards.

Rob Harris, Jaguar Land Rover’s Business Development Manager said, “It is important that in the current climate such high standards within the business are recognised and rewarded. (…)

The new Discovery 4 has taken home two accolades at the Caravan Club’s Towcar of the Year Awards 2010, which took place at the Royal Automobile Club in London last week. These are the first awarded to the new Discovery 4, which went on-sale in UK dealerships earlier this month.

The Discovery 4 won the ‘Best Towcar Over £32,000′ class and the ‘All Wheel Drive Over 1800kg’ category, beating the likes of the Lexus RX450h, Mercedes Benz E and C class, Volvo XC70 and XC60 and the Isuzu Rodeo. The testing was carried out at Millbrook Proving Ground to determine the car’s towing ability, dynamics when hitched, acceleration and braking.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, driving judge, Barry Williams of The Caravan Club commented: “The Land Rover Discovery 4 stood out among an astonishingly good selection of cars in the two classes it entered. It will go anywhere and offers an impressive array of caravan-friendly features. (…)

Land Rover is delighted to announce the launch of the first Official Guinness Premiership iPhone app. The long awaited application provides the latest rugby news, fixtures, scores and results about one of the world’s most competitive leagues as soon as the action happens.

As the Official Vehicle of the Guinness Premiership, Land Rover worked in partnership with Premier Rugby to identify a service that offers supporters the ultimate companion, supplying a multitude of information to their fingertips, wherever they are.

The concise, easy to use application, called Guinness Premiership Rugby has been welcomed by the players who have been impressed with the new mechanic. (…)

Workhorse, tow car, law enforcer, status symbol, people carrier, mud plugger; few cars can claim to fulfil any of these duties with genuine conviction. Yet since 16 November 1989 – 20 years ago today – one car has consistently met all those challenges and more, earning itself iconic status as the ultimate all-purpose vehicle. That car is the Land Rover Discovery.

Designed originally to plug the gap between the utilitarian attributes of the iconic Land Rover Defender and the more luxurious characteristics of the flagship Range Rover, Discovery soon became the perfect niche vehicle for the growing demands of the family 4×4 market.

“The Discovery legend has been built on innovative design and advanced technology. From the introduction of high-efficiency direct-injection diesel technology into the 4×4 market in 1989, to pioneering occupant safety with the adoption of twin airbags in 1998, Discovery has led the way.” says Phil Popham, Managing Director. (…)

The Land Rover Discovery 4 has been crowned the 2009 ‘Scottish Car of the Year’ by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW) at its annual awards ceremony, just days before the 20th anniversary of the original Discovery.

More than 60 vehicles have been put through their paces by the group on Scottish roads over the last 12 months but the Discovery 4 received the most votes overall for its go-anywhere capability and premium package.

Speaking from the gala evening Bill Caven, president of the ASMW commented: “4×4s remain a necessity for motoring north of the border. Being able to boldly go regardless of the weather conditions has ensured the Scots’ love affair with off-roaders remains as strong as ever. Despite its obvious role as a workhorse, the latest generation Land Rover Discovery 4 does not compromise on comfort, refinement or driving dynamics. (…)

Land Rover’s UK sales for October 2009 have risen for the third consecutive month in a row.

Land Rover sold a total of 2855 units in October 2009 and 28,042 year to date. This is 89% better than October 2008. All of the models saw a rise in sales with Defender up 25%, Freelander 2 up 55%, Discovery up 112%, Range Rover Sport up 210% and Range Rover up 43%.

John Edwards, managing director, Land Rover UK commented: “It’s great to see the market up over 30% and we’re excited to achieve an 89% rise in October versus last year. It demonstrates what an outstanding success the new 2010 model year vehicles have been and proves the importance of having new products in an ever competitive market.”

Land Rover currently sells in over 170 markets around the world. The UK is currently Land Rover’s largest market.

Land Rover has confirmed today that a production version of its exciting LRX concept car will be built. The new car will debut next year and join the Range Rover line-up in 2011.

Designed and engineered at Land Rover’s state of the art Gaydon facility, the new Range Rover will be the smallest, lightest and most efficient vehicle the company has ever produced.

The new car will be built at the multi award-winning plant in Halewood, on Merseyside, subject to quality and productivity agreements and will be sold in over 100 countries around the world.

Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover said: “The production of a small Range Rover model is excellent news for our employees, dealers and customers. (…)

Jaguar Land Rover today confirmed a new business plan designed to increase its global competitiveness significantly, drive growth and sustained profitability, and respond to the challenges of climate change.

The plan includes decisive actions to see through the next 12-18 months as markets recover and positions the company to grow and prosper in the future. It includes a new and expanded range of products and environmental technology, delivered through streamlined and competitive costs and a new manufacturing strategy.

Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer, David Smith said: “This is a plan that recognises the impact the economic collapse has had on our business, and at the same time the opportunities that lie ahead for these two great brands. We are confident that a new more efficient and competitive structure combined with future investment will unlock the true potential of this business.”

The car industry has been through an unprecedented recession. (…)

Paul Cope, Director of Manufacturing for Jaguar Land Rover, has been named as the ‘2009 Automotive News Eurostar for Manufacturing’.

The annual awards, which recognise excellence in the automotive industry, are regarded as a key benchmark of success and were announced at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The winners are chosen from across Europe by the editors of Automotive News Europe magazine.

Jason Stein, Automotive News editor and Automotive News Europe Business Director said: “The 2009 Eurostars stand out because they have succeeded while their competitors stumbled. This year’s winners have earned their awards by taking risks and refusing to fail. (…)

Oliver Townend and Carousel Quest are the undisputed winners of this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Oliver couldn’t have dreamt of a better result. The combination produced a clear round show jumping to add to their clear round cross-country finishing a comfortable eight penalties ahead of the ahead of the 80 competitors who started the three day competition.

Oliver was quick to praise Cressida Clague-Reading who originally produced the horse and from who he took over the ride when Cressida decided to concentrate on show jumping. “Cressy put all the buttons on him – all I had to do was press them – he is a class horse,” said Oliver who will take home the Land Rover Perpetual Challenge Trophy and a cheque for £50,000. “To be honest I am still celebrating Badminton – to win Burghley as well is simply amazing.” Carousel Quest’s breeder Jim Hood also collected a prize as the grey was the highest placed British bred horse. (…)