LAND Rover is developing a new model that could help double the output of its Halewood plant by 2012, according to motor industry reports yesterday.

The company is planning a new seven-seat model called the Ventura based on a longer version of the existing Halewood-built Freelander chassis.

Magazine Autocar says Land Rover is looking to produce around 70,000 of the vehicles a year – and says that if it gets the go-ahead, total Halewood production could reach 210,000 vehicles a year, more than double its current output.

2008 is the 60th anniversary of storied British SUV manufacturer Land Rover, and to mark the occasion the company has embarked on a “Choice of Experts” tour showcasing its capabilities. The other day we caught up with them at the historic Astor Courts in Rhinebeck, N.Y, designed by Stanford White as a country retreat for John Jacob Astor IV in 1902. It was the perfect setting for a brand that has come to signify rugged elegance and luxurious rusticity, and while there we got the opportunity to drive a new Range Rover Sport on a hazardous off-road course that showed style and comfort needn’t sacrifice anything in the way of practical ability.

LAND Rover has hosted a balloon safari above the Hajar Mountains in Dubai to celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary.
The event reflected “the true spirit of adventure that has become synonymous with the Land Rover brand.”
A group of regional importers, customers and journalists from Qatar, Kuwait and Oman were on board the three hot air balloons.
The balloons flew at 3,000 feet above the desert dunes, offering a view of the sun rising over the mountains.
They were followed by a convoy of seven Land Rover vehicles including the flagship Range Rover and the Land Rover LR3.
“Land Rover manufactures the world’s finest all-terrain vehicles and has evolved over the past 60 years. It has become synonymous with delivering a spirit of adventure and we are delighted that we provided our guests with an extraordinary experience as we celebrated our 60th anniversary,” said Land Rover’s regional marketing manager for the Middle East and North Africa, Marcelle Duncan.
“Land Rover has a strong presence in the region and has sustained its position at the forefront of the luxury SUV market,” said Duncan.
“The brand has grown from strength to strength over the years - 2007 was the company’s best year ever and its third successive record sales year with 226,395 cars sold around the world.”
The brand now has its strongest product line-up with five different models on offer: Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover LR3, Land Rover LR2 and Defender.

The electrically-powered Range Rover is on its way after a newly-founded British producer announced investments of 30 million pounds (60 million dollars) to re-engineer the luxury cross- country vehicle. The Oxford-based Liberty Electric Cars Ltd said it would design and manufacture a unique electric drivetrain platform to power a wide range of large vehicles, which it says will have the flexibility to incorporate emerging technologies.

Annual vehicle production, which will include an electrically powered Range Rover, will, the company said, be in “tens of thousands” by 2012.

Vehicle prices will range between 95,000 and 125,000 pounds, depending on model and specification.