Supplies are tight for redesigned Range Rover
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Land Rover's U.S. management is trying to get as many new Range Rovers on lots as possible, but demand is tight worldwide. |
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ORLANDO -- Land Rover dealers in most of the country are sold out of the new-generation Range Rover SUV through early summer.
“We are one or two truckloads short — which also creates a situation where it helps profitability,” said Michael Levitan, chairman of the new 12-member Jaguar Land Rover Retailer Cabinet and COO of Long Island Automotive Group, which owns three Land Rover stores in New York.
The 2013 model went on sale in December.
Land Rover dealers were told at their make meeting here at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention that U.S. management is trying to get as many Range Rovers as possible, but demand is tight worldwide.
“We are asking for as many vehicles as we can get. The vehicle is sold out for six months to a year,” said Chris Marchand, executive vice president of operations at Jaguar Land Rover North America.
Because of tight supply, Land Rover decided not to bring the base model, which starts at $83,545, including freight, to the United States. Instead, the U.S. entry model is the HSE, at $88,545. Two other models are available, the $99,996 Supercharged and the Autobiography, which starts at $130,995. Prices include freight.
The HSE comes with a panoramic roof, 20-inch wheels and tires and an premium audio system. Levitan said buyers of the prior-generation Range Rover ignored the base model, and the HSE is configured the way most people wanted their vehicles.
Dealers and Land Rover management said despite the shortage of vehicles, Land Rover sales in 2013 are likely to top the 43,664 units sold in 2012. Said Levitan: “We need to be mindful that we can’t just order [vehicles] and get them -- dealers understand that.”
You can reach Diana T. Kurylko at dkurylko@crain.com. -- Follow Diana on 
