What's with the evoques

[JMC08]

As everyone else has already said in regards to their own market, I too have seen nothing but LR2 and Evoques on my own dealer's lot over the past 9 months.

I live in an area of Florida where Land Rover cant keep up with demand for the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport or LR4. Each one that comes in has been previously ordered by a customer.

Their lot has nothing but Evoques and LR2s. I have been told that they expect their first "lot" cars to start showing up early fall (Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, no mention of LR4).

I feel as if Tata has diluted the Land Rover brand, and continues to do so with their new vehicles, new concepts, and deletion of Land Rover core features (standard 2-speed transfer case in LR4). It is a shame. I would love to have the opportunity to purchase a 2014 Defender new in the states, as Im sure many others would. I could see a backlog of orders from Americans on a re-release of the Defender here.

 

[Finlayforprez]

As everyone else has already said in regards to their own market, I too have seen nothing but LR2 and Evoques on my own dealer's lot over the past 9 months.

I live in an area of Florida where Land Rover cant keep up with demand for the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport or LR4. Each one that comes in has been previously ordered by a customer.

Their lot has nothing but Evoques and LR2s. I have been told that they expect their first "lot" cars to start showing up early fall (Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, no mention of LR4).

I feel as if Tata has diluted the Land Rover brand, and continues to do so with their new vehicles, new concepts, and deletion of Land Rover core features (standard 2-speed transfer case in LR4). It is a shame. I would love to have the opportunity to purchase a 2014 Defender new in the states, as Im sure many others would. I could see a backlog of orders from Americans on a re-release of the Defender here.

I am so curious to see the new Defender when it comes to the states in a couple years; however, I will likely hate it. Like I have said dozens of times, I will keep my 2013 LR4 long term, unless the "new" Defender is actually real like the current model.

I agree with everything you said about the direction of the brand. In fact, today as I was walking to lunch with a female co-worker, she pointed out a 2014 Range Rover Sport in the parking lot and said, "oh, that's a Land Rover, it looks nothing like I thought it would, it looks like every other SUV in the parking lot.". My company parking lot is full of Lexus, Audi, Mercedes, BMW, etc. SUVs. Oh well.

 

[Surfrider77]

If they are limited in manufacturing capacity, my guess is that the big $ models are being shipped to Middle East / Asia. The market here is exactly opposite of what your lots in the US are. The Land Rover showroom here in Doha is nothing but full option RR Autobiography / Sport Autobiographies. Usually a dozen or so LR4s around as well. Off in the corner might be one or two Evoques. LR2s are rare as rocking horse **** here. I think I see one on the road once or twice in a year!

They command hefty prices here. They typically sell for about 50% more cost than the US. How much of that goes to the local dealer vs Land Rover? ...that I cannot say. It would make sense if LR are making more money and moving more volume in these deep pocket markets though.

 

[Surfrider77]

For example, here is a RR Sport for $142k. This isnt even from the LR Showroom (cheaper price).
http://qatarsale.com/mycar_e.aspx?carid=53206

Here is a used (11,000km) FFRR Autobiography for $204k
http://qatarsale.com/mycar_e.aspx?carid=53065

Like I said, want to know where these trucks are going? They are being shipped to countries with the money.

Hell, I just bought a 2014 X5 M Sport via military sales and turned around and sold it for $20k over what I paid for it. These are the textbook definition of ultra rich people.

 

[avus9]

Freelander - cheapened the brand
Evoque - diluted the Range Rover pedigree

I only hope that when LR says the new Defender will be "more accessible to others" they don't mean something like this upcoming Ford
http://www.burlappcar.com/2014/05/ford-troller.html

 

[JotaDe]

Like I said, want to know where these trucks are going? They are being shipped to countries with the money.

My local dealer was very concerned about this and did a "background check" on me (or whatever you can do with a DL #) before taking my deposit to put me in the queue for an LR4 order. They said something along the lines of "people are buying LRs and selling them in China for 3x MSRP."

However the other dealer I'm working with on an order has yet to mention this "illegal exporting" concern.

I think the Freelander could be a great entry level LR truck, but not the way it looks now. If other luxury brands can create enticing entry level vehicles with a lower cost than an LR2 surely LR should be able to.

 

[Dubroz]

They said something along the lines of "people are buying LRs and selling them in China for 3x MSRP."

The LR4 I just bought, I needed to sign a document that said I will not export my LR4 overseas in the next 12 months or else face prosecution and pay hefty fines. The finance guy at the dealership explained that people are getting paid on craigslist to buy LR4's and export them. I thought he was kidding, but this was very serious. LR is watching all VIN's that are getting exported at the ports to make sure people aren't re-selling.

 

[umbertob]

I wonder how legally binding such a document would be if Land Rover were to attempt to enforce it one day? Once they agree to sell you the car, it should be yours to do anything you want with it. I don't think Land Rover can legally dictate when and where you can sell it, and to whom, no? Not that I am condoning the practice of selling cars on the gray market for a profit (although people have been doing it with exotics for ages), but what I do with the car after I pay the dealer in full for it should not be of their concern, in my opinion. I read similar nonsense on another forum. On the new Sport, which is in even higher demand currently, owners are being asked to sign a document that, besides the above export restrictions, also says that during the first 12 months the car can only be sold back to Land Rover. Disclaimer: I am not an attorney.

 

[namenda]

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/02...bound-luxury-cars/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

 

[AxelR]

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/02...bound-luxury-cars/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

This article makes me wonder what our government spend our money on.
I could care less about people buying cars and selling them abroad.
We live in the land of "for profit".
Why not make a few dollars exporting cars???