Cars for kale lovers
I write with regard to the cover story on the new Land Rover Defenders (9 January), to express my great disappointment at Jaguar Land Rover.
I grew up as the eldest son on my parents’ 7000-acre farm in inland Western Australia, having been born in 1950. My earliest memories were of my father having a Land Rover. My father used to purchase a cab chassis, because Land Rover Australia, despite a huge farmer clientele, refused to offer a flat-bed model.
Sadly, Land Rover let Toyota steal its market share, because the Land Rover was not comfortable cruising at more than 55mph, while the Toyota Land Cruiser would cruise happily at 75mph.
I am not certain Land Rover Australia ever comprehended the vast distances of Australia, so as the mining boom started, the mining companies purchased Toyota Land Cruisers. Fast forward to today. The number-one-selling vehicle in Australia is the Toyota Hilux double-cab ute. Here in the UK, Volkswagen makes a double cab, even Mercedes has launched one, yet what have you put on your cover? New-look
recreational vehicles that look like they belong in Islington.
What is wrong with Land Rover? What is wrong with Autocar? Do all your writers eat kale and live in Islington?
Surely selling double-cab Defenders to builders and farmers reconnects with the original core clients of Land Rover. Glenn Mcdowall Cheshire