Origins and Early History
The Range Rover brand, a symbol of luxury and off-road capability, began its journey under the British Leyland umbrella in 1970 when the first iconic Range Rover Classic was introduced. British Leyland, a state-owned company, managed the brand during its formative years, establishing it as a pioneer in luxury SUVs.
Ownership Timeline
The BMW Era
In 1994, German automotive giant BMW acquired the Rover Group, including Range Rover. During BMW's ownership, they invested significantly in technology and design, helping modernize the Range Rover lineup and developing the third-generation Range Rover (L322), which launched in 2002.
Ford Motor Company's Chapter
š In 2000, Ford Motor Company purchased Land Rover (including Range Rover) from BMW for approximately $2.7 billion. Under Ford's ownership, Range Rover was positioned alongside other luxury brands in Ford's Premier Automotive Group, including:
- Jaguar
- Aston Martin
- Volvo
Current Ownership: Tata Motors
In 2008, India's Tata Motors acquired both Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion. The brands were consolidated under Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors.
"Range Rover operates as a product line within Land Rover, which is part of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), owned by Tata Motors."
Developments Under Tata Motors
Under Tata's ownership, the Range Rover brand has flourished with several key developments:
- Increased model range
- Significant technological advancement
- Enhanced luxury features
- Electric vehicle development
- Global market expansion
Areas of Investment
Tata Motors has demonstrated strong commitment to Range Rover's future by investing in:
- Research and development
- Manufacturing facilities
- Electric vehicle technology
- Digital innovation
Current Product Line
The brand continues to produce high-end SUVs known for their luxury, performance, and off-road capability. Current models include:
The brand operates from its headquarters in Whitley, Coventry, UK, while benefiting from Tata's global resources and strategic vision. For more information, visit the official Land Rover website or the Jaguar Land Rover corporate site. š