Land Rover North America Won't Take Orders!!???

[Michael]

This has been an interesting weekend. After three test drives, I guess I got bitten by the Land Rover bug, and I think I'm ready to order an LR3. I like to order my cars, rather than buying lot cars, so I get exactly what I want, no more and no less, and the cars are fresh from the manufacturer. I spoke to three dealers, and all of them said they WOULD NOT TAKE ORDERS! The dealers said Land Rover North America just won't accept them, and one dealer said he's lost some Range Rover sales because of this policy. Oh, LRNA (and some dealers) will go through the motions of taking an order, but what they are really doing, according to the ones I spoke to, is just waiting for one to come along which matches what you are looking for. Therefore, some people get them in a couple months, some in six months, and some never get them, especially if it is an unusual color combination. This corroborates with what I have seen in the forums regarding how long it takes people to get their "ordered" cars. There just didn't seem to be any rhyme nor reason to the delivery times.

I wanted to order a V6 with heavy duty package, but the heavy duty package makes this rare, especially with the V6, according to two dealers. Who knows? Maybe I'll never get this thing. I'm patient, but I don't want to wait indefinitely.

When I called LRNA 800 number (800-FIND-4WD), the call center guy said you could order cars, but to be honest, he didn't sound like he really knew much. The tip off was when I asked what the typical delivery times were. His answer, "It depends." Thanks for nothing. I think they just hire a third party company to answer the phones.

Anyone have confirmation of this either way?

Michael

 

[grommet]

Uh, Land Rover dealers can order cars... each time an order call is opened. However, there may be limitations on what they can order. There is also no guarantee they'll get the vehicle in a timely fashion. So, the "it depends" is valid. Just how it is...

If you want to play word games, YOU probably don't order... THEY order. I don't think, technically, your name is on the vehicle. (Sales guides, please correct me.) They could sell it to someone else.

 

[nwoods]

The rear diff (HD package) is only available on V8 models from what I understand. I have the V6 version, may I ask what it is about the V6 that makes it more desirable for you? I might be able to provide some feedback or imput.

http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?cat=9

 

[Michael]

The rear diff (HD package) is only available on V8 models from what I understand. I have the V6 version, may I ask what it is about the V6 that makes it more desirable for you? I might be able to provide some feedback or imput.

One dealer said he had a V6 with the HD package (although not with the options I wanted), and it is shown in the brochure as being available with V6.

I wanted the V6 for two reasons: (1) it is $6000 less expensive than the V8 so much more affordable for me, and I don't want the moonroof (V6 is only way to avoid moonroof in US). Also after driving both, I found that the V8 really jumped off the line, but I didn't notice a huge difference during other driving conditions, such as chugging up hills, probably because there isn't much difference in displacement (4.0 vs. 4.4L). I was very impressed with the implementation of the V6, too, in terms of Noise, Vibration, and Harshness - probably the best I have ever seen for a V6. I'd be interested in hearing other's experiences with the V6.

Michael

 

[nwoods]

Good luck on getting a Land Rover in the US without a sunroof/moonroof. I have a base model V6 (not an S, SE or HSE, but Base level only), and it has a sunroof plus the glass roof.

The V6 is perfectly adequate, and I regularly drive mine swiftly down the freeways. It's a raspy sounding engine, it works harder to get the tonnage up to speed for sure. It requires more shifting of the transmission on grades and I find myself using the manual selectronic option quite a bit in hilly areas.

Driving the V8 is effortless. The V6 requires that you think about it and make adjustments. Is that worth saving $6,000 to you? It was for me

Off road the V6 is nearly the same as the V8 in climbing ability. I have noticed that it's easier to be smoother on the throttle with the V8 when crawling over rocks. The V6 you have to press a little deeper, rev a little higher, and hold the left foot on the brake as you apex and come down the backside of a rock, while still applying throttle. This wasn't as pronounced or neccessary in the V8.

I don't think the gas mileage differs enough to pay attention to.

 

[Insider]

LRNA Order System

The Land Rover order process is a system used by all English speaking franchises around the globe.

The factory order procedure is that dealers receive an allocation of X-number of production build slots of some or all models at factory - generally once a month. A prospect/client can place an order with a dealer.
If there is an available factory slot, a stated order input to factory during June will produce a U.S. car at franchise in November.

An LR3 in V6 configuration has following factory options:
Cold Climate
Rear Seat w/A/C
Heavy Duty
Premium leather - Sunroofs - Premium Audio

I hope this make matters clear.

 

[Snapster]

I have a V6 with the Cold Climate, Rear Seat no Premium, but no HD either. I too didn't want the sunroofs and didn't see the need for the V8 and the extra cost. I would like to have gotten the HD package, but I don't intend too much off-road, and I'm sure its fully capable without it. It was also on the lot, available, and discounted. So, they are out there, just not with the HD package I guess?
Mike

 

[Michael]

The Land Rover order process is a system used by all English speaking franchises around the globe.

The factory order procedure is that dealers receive an allocation of X-number of production build slots of some or all models at factory - generally once a month. A prospect/client can place an order with a dealer.
If there is an available factory slot, a stated order input to factory during June will produce a U.S. car at franchise in November.
I hope this make matters clear.

This does clear it up, except for one thing. Why are all dealers refusing to put in orders? I don't understand what they have to gain by not accepting orders.

Michael

 

[xcursion]

Probably the dealers would place more profitable and popular orders (ie V8, fully loaded) first for the lots or spaces they are allowed to.

 

[Michael]

Probably the dealers would place more profitable and popular orders (ie V8, fully loaded) first for the lots or spaces they are allowed to.

I finally found a dealer by calling around who would take an order on a new LR3.

I also called LRNA, and it took their customer service department two days to tell me whether or not LR takes orders. They referred me to one of the three dealers who previously said they would not take orders. Now suddenly they would take orders. Or would they? The LR customer service person continued on saying the saleperson at that dealership would be "glad to find one for me". Oh, boy. So, maybe they don't take orders. You'd think I was asking for something really complicated. :

One of the first rules of sales is to make it easy for your customer to buy the product. I don't think LR has heard of this.

Michael