One millionth Range Rover rolls off production lines
A LANDMARK for Midlands manufacturing was officially recognised when the one millionth Range Rover rolled off the production line at the famous Land Rover factory in Solihull.
The iconic vehicle is 40 years old this year and to mark the momentous event yesterday the latest version of the model, an Autobiography special edition in ultimate black, was turned into a catwalk star at a ceremony attended by dignitaries, media and factory workers.
The Lode Lane plant has been manufacturing the vehicle since its inception in 1970 and several of the workers who helped to make those original models – and who sill work at the plant today – were invited to attend the ceremony.
Land Rover has donated the vehicle to the Help for Heroes charity, which will have the 4×4 auctioned off and the proceeds used to help servicemen and women injured in combat.
Land Rover’s Managing Director Phil Popham delivered the vehicle to charity patron Jeremy Clarkson at the Top Gear Live event at Earls Court in London yesterday.
For the journey to the capital city the Autobiography was accompanied by a parade of classic Range Rovers which together raced the history to the marquee back to its origins.
Mr Popham said: “Land Rover is very proud to support the Help for Heroes charity by donating the one millionth Range Rover. The vehicle will be auctioned later this year and we hope it will become the most expensive Range Rover ever produced.
“Everyone involved in Land Rover – from the management, to the employees at Solihull, to the original Range Rover team – will be happy we’re able to mark this landmark occasion in such a way after the 40 years of producing this iconic vehicle.”
The Range Rover being donated is the highest-specification model currently available, the Range Rover Vogue, valued in excess of £85,000. Estimates suggest it will raise over £100,000 for charity when auctioned later this year.
“We’re delighted that Land Rover has chosen to give Help for Heroes their millionth Range Rover,” said Bryn Parry, chief executive and co-founder of Help for Heroes.
“This is a real milestone in their history and so a very special donation, made even more special by knowing the money raised from the car will be able to provide much needed funds to help our wounded heroes on their road to recovery.”
One of the most significant vehicles in the history of motoring, the Range Rover was the world’s first vehicle to be as good on-road as off-road. It remains Land Rover’s flagship model and is an iconic blend of luxury and technology.
There have been three generations of the vehicle. The original, now known as the Classic, went on sale in 1970 and continued in production, with numerous upgrades and a multiplicity of variants, for just over 25 years.
The second-generation vehicle, known as the P38a, went on sale in 1994 and was replaced in 2001 by the current model. Further enhancements over the last decade have ensured the Range Rover retains its position as on the world’s most complete luxury vehicles.
In 2005, the Range Rover Sport was introduced and in the five years it has been in production it has sold a quarter of the one million models.
