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Jenifer O'Brien
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Glenn Campbell
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LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SALES SURPASS LEXUS LX450 AND ACURA SLX COMBINED
Lanham, MD (6/5/96) - The Land Rover Discovery continues to be the premium sport utility vehicle of choice for American families, as evidenced by its continuing sales leadership in the face of new luxury-nameplate competition.While the Lexus LX 450 and Acura SLX are the first luxury-brand SUV's to challenge Discovery, neither possesses the combination of luxury features and off-road capability or the unmatched value of the Discovery. And Discovery has outsold both contenders combined for the first five months of this year: 5,441 vs. 3,960.
May sales stood at 1,035 for Discovery, representing a 15.3% increase over the year earlier total and the best May ever for Discovery, while Lexus LX 450 sold 838 during the month. Year-to-date, Lexus LX 450 sales at 3,258 trail Discovery's total of 5,441.
Discovery sales vs. Acura SLX are even more telling. for the first five months of 1996, Acura has sold only 702 vehicles -- barely 13% of Discovery sales for the same period.
All this stands as proof of the Discovery's value and product superiority over these newcomers. While the LX 450 is priced at $47,500, $9,500 higher than the fully equipped, seven-passenger Discovery SE7 at $37,925 (with automatic transmission), the Discovery has considerably more luxury and convenience equipment, not to mention off-road capabilities.
For instance, the Discovery SE7 has these standard features that are not available at any price on the LX 450.
In addition, Discovery features higher standard towing capacity (and a standard trailer-hitch receiver); a higher payload, a tighter turning circle, higher EPA mileage rating, and better approach and departure angles for off-road driving.
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Dual temperature controls for both passenger and driver
- Rear air conditioning
- Dual power sunroofs
- Remote audio controls
- Auto-dimming inside mirror
- Headlamp washers
- One-touch down operation for both front windows
- Hydraulic rear step (both vehicles have seven-passenger seating)
- Weather band radio
As sales and product comparisons show, the new re-badged luxury entries in the SUV market are simply no match for the genuine, distinctive and fully-equipped Land Rover Discovery.
Sales of other Land Rover models -- the Range Rover 4.0 SE and 4.6 HSE, and remaining Defender 90 -- have brought total sales in '96 to 8,739, a nearly 24% increase over the same period a year ago.
"Our Discovery value story is a strong attraction when buyers compare sport utility offerings today, " said Charles R. Hughes, president, Land Rover North America, Inc.
Land Rover North America, Inc. is a member of the Rover Group Ltd., importing premium four-wheel drive vehicles manufactured by Land Rover, Solihull, England. The Rover Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG.
LR9634 ### 06/05/96 Note: Land Rover vehicles are not subject to the 10% luxury tax as they are classified as multi-passenger vehicles with a gross weight rating in excess of 6,000 lbs.