Land Rover has received the award for International Trade for an outstanding performance in increasing export sales by 52% to nearly £4 billion a year, an increase of £1.3 billion in three years. Land Rover also won the award for Innovation for its patented Terrain Response System. Available on all Land Rover models, apart from Defender, Terrain Response sets up the vehicle's engine response and traction to maximise performance on all surfaces. It is the electronic equivalent of having an expert instructor next to the driver. Phil Popham, Land Rover's Managing Director, said, "To win not one but two Queen's Awards is a considerable achievement and a testament to Land Rover's relevance and modernity in its 60th anniversary year. It demonstrates we are building and selling desirable and technically advanced cars around the world and generating significant wealth for Britain." Land Rover exports over 75% of the production of its Defender, Freelander 2, Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover vehicles to 147 countries around the world. Land Rover achieved a third successive year of record sales in 2007, with a total of 226,395 sales, versus 192,511 in 2006 and 185,120 in 2005. This represents a 17.6% increase on the previous year. Sales for the first quarter of 2008 are 57,859, up 13% on the same period last year. Emerging markets are helping to drive sales – Russia is currently running 176% ahead of last year with 4,690 sales and China is ahead by 224% with 3,239 sales. |