The automobile brand Land Rover is reputed in the market for manufacturing iconic SUVs and 4WD models. The brand started its journey at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show. The car displayed in the motor show was designed by Maurice Wilkes, an engineer working for Rover Company. The design was well received by the consumers and Land Rover became an instant hit. Despite being launched in 1948, the nameplate Land Rover was not adopted till 1978.
Mentioned below is the complete Land Rover history elaborating on the interesting journey of this leading brand.
Land Rover History Timeline
Since its inception, Land Rover has focused on providing its customers with a comfortable off-roading experience. To date, a number of Land Rover models are counted among the most popular used SUVs in the UAE. The core reason for this is the built quality, rugged-off exterior and comfortable ride provided by the vehicles.
Here we have mentioned all the important events which make Land Rover a leading brand today.
The Land Rover Lineup (1947 to 1966)
Initially, the Land Rover was launched as a lineup of Rover Company. The Rover was a bicycle manufacturing company established in 1885 in Warwickshire, England. Gradually, the company shifted its focus from bicycles to automobile manufacturing resulting in the launch of Land Rover’s first car and later a whole lineup. Till 1966, Land Rover was the lineup of Rover Company and the vehicles were also launched under the same nameplate.
Acquisition of Rover Company by Leyland Motors (1967 to 1977)
After successfully launching half a million Land Rover vehicles, the Rover Company was merged with Leyland. Along with Rover, Leyland also acquired Triumph, another leading automobile brand of that time.
Soon after the acquisition, Leyland along with its subsidiaries was merged with British Motor Corporation and became British Leyland Motors. The newly formed British Leyland owns multiple subsidiaries including Morris, Jaguar, Austin, Triumph and Rover. During this era, the iconic series Range Rover was also launched by the brand.
Land Rover Becomes a Separate Entity (1978 to 1984)
In 1978, British Leyland Motors made Land Rover a separate entity and started unveiling vehicles under the nameplate of Land Rover. The Land Rover was provided with government support which doubled its production and assisted the brand in adopting advanced technologies.
By the end of the 1970s, a new model series that was equipped with a V8 engine was launched for the first time in the Land Rover brand history. Moreover, Land Rover also unveiled its two new series namely: Land Rover One Ten and Land Rover Ninety.
Land Rover Adopts Advanced Technologies (1985 to 1993)
In the 1980s, Land Rover was focused on adopting the latest technologies to improve its vehicles’ performance. The automatic gearbox was refined and a new 4-speed automatic transmission system was offered in different vehicles. Moreover, a new 2.4-litre turbocharged and 200 TDi direct-injection engine launched by the brand breaks a number of speed and endurance records.
Alongside, for better performance and safety features like an air suspension system, electronic traction control and airbags for passengers and drivers were embedded.
Land Rover’s Acquisition by BMW (1994 to 2007)
In 1994, the leading automobile brand Land Rover was acquired by a popular German car brand BMW. The acquisition boosts the vehicle manufacturing capacity and Land Rover hits the highest unit manufacturing per annum. In 1998, Land Rover celebrated its 50th anniversary and several limited edition models were launched in the market.
Before entering the new millennium, BMW sold Land Rover to Ford Motors. Under Ford’s supervision, models like the Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sports were added to the Land Rover model lineup.
if you are also interested in availing of the iconic features of Rover Sports, browse through these used Range Rover Sports for sale in the UAE and buy your own Range Rover.
Land Rover Continued its Journey (2008 to 2018)
In 2008, Land Rover and Jaguar both were acquired by Tata Motors resulting in the new Jaguar Land Rover subsidiary. The Land Rover continued its journey of producing top-tier SUVs and off-road equipped with technologically advanced features.
Popular model series including Evoque and Velar were unveiled by Land Rover that were well-received by the customers. Furthermore, the brand also launched a myriad of cars equipped with plug-in hybrid diesel and petrol engines continuing the Land Rover model history.
Future of Land Rover (2019 to 2023)
Land Rover offers a wide range of plug-in and electric vehicles to reduce carbon footprints. Alongside, new technologies, like transparent hoods, laser terrain scanning headlights, remote control and human-machine interface will also be launched in future Land Rover cars adding to the Range Rover family.
This was the complete Land Rover history. Since its creation, Land Rover has been launching off-roading vehicles that are equipped with all the necessary features to make the ride comfortable. If you are also interested in availing of these features, browse through these used Land Rovers for sale in the UAE and drive your own iconic Land Rover.
Besides, if you already have an off-roader, here are some ultimate options for off-roading near Dubai that you can opt for.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s auto blog for more information on the Land Rover company profile.
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