That's an impressive order list in just 3 weeks.

It's about 2-3 days production at Halewood, that gives it a sense of scale...

Seriously, is that how quick they come off the line?

Thanks again for the Jett recommendation, tried it yesterday, outstanding finish.

Not sure about Halewood but at Solihull it's one car every 55 seconds 24 hours a day and 5 1/2 days a week. Apparently the other 1 1/2 days are required for essential maintenance.

wizking wrote:

Seriously, is that how quick they come off the line?

Thanks again for the Jett recommendation, tried it yesterday, outstanding finish.

I believe Halewood is a car every 80 seconds off the line, it's impressive to see, get yourself to the next meet

Glad you tried the Jett, I know I bang on about it but it really is easy and the result first time round is astounding, keep,it done regularly and it really does make it easy to rinse dirt off and keeps it looking great.

Of course I will test drive one, when I get invited (soon I hope)! That may modify my initial impressions In the meantime I think we are all entitled to comment on the info we have so far, pictures, videos, specifications & prices …… and be excited or underwhelmed at this stage. Only Jeremy Clarkson & friends get to see cars for the first time then test them immediately!

Badger1970, some may find your comments & tone on this topic just a tad patronising or sneering!  Life is not a dress rehearsal!

Nick Jan wrote:

Badger1970, some may find your comments & tone on this topic just a tad patronising or sneering!

wizking wrote:

Thanks again for the Jett recommendation, tried it yesterday, outstanding finish.

It does seem premature to be forming concrete opinions and predictions based on just photos and spec lists. And it's almost certainly not good critical thinking to extrapolate from 'I don't like or want it' to 'Land Rover is doomed!'. Whilst as individuals we're credible talking about our own needs and wants (although not always...), few of us are qualified to make considered predictions about the future of Land Rover. It's a common error to assume because something isn't what we wanted that somehow the company has screwed up... "if only they'd asked my opinion..."

Over the last decade or so I've seen these kind of reactions all the time on Apple forums. After the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad and, more recently, the Apple watch the forums were filled with people claiming Apple was getting it all wrong and criticising the devices for not having this or that, for not listening to their customers and not meeting the needs of their loyal users. Some taking it further and predicting Apple was in decline and doomed! Sound familiar?

During that time Apple became the biggest company in the world and remains the biggest tech company in the world, and is ridiculously profitable. And although it's time in the sun will no doubt fade, there are some who repeatedly misunderstand why or how Apple continues to succeed - seemingly not able to compute how their needs and wants aren't being met whilst the products (and company) are very successful. I suggest some are making the same error here with Land Rover. FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green

^^ absolutely spot-on. Foraging near Gaydon....
——————————————
MY13 HSE Lux SD4, Baltic Blue - current, 30,000> miles without fault
MY12 HSE 2.2 SD4, Sumatra Black - gone after 10 months/43,000 fault-free miles

My main gripe and that of others is not the spec of the DS, but the high price and the void that left unde £33k. I think we can all give an opinion on that as we can on anything else that potentially effects us, after all we are the potential customers, the end user and that more than anything entitles us. You take away that, then you might as well close the forum or restrict it to technical issues.

As for the Apple analogy, I could say look at the companies that have ignored consumer pressure and gone under and there's a good few of them in the recent past.

Ok, let's try a different analogy. The Vauxhall Astra, launched 1981, looks vastly different to MY2014. Back then, the entry level price was a mere £3879, a small fortune in its day. Today's entry level model is circa £13k. "It won't sell, the design is too radical" squealed the (unfounded) critics back in 1980. It still does, by the bucketload. We are now on Generation 6, with items like Power Steering and AirCon as standard, then only found on top-end CD variants back in the 80's.

Technology evolves, high-end kit becomes standard, and prices rise in line with both RPI as well as what the market will bear. Land Rover are no different....even the base model of the DS is technologically superior to that of the HSE Freelander some 8 years ago. So why shouldn't they charge a few quid extra? Is that unfair? Or are you of the opinion that prices should be tumbling a la B&Q pricing policy, at the expense of design build and quality, not to mention the R&D cost? If the latter, suggest that you wait a few years and then revisit the secondhand used/approved market. Foraging near Gaydon....
——————————————
MY13 HSE Lux SD4, Baltic Blue - current, 30,000> miles without fault
MY12 HSE 2.2 SD4, Sumatra Black - gone after 10 months/43,000 fault-free miles

I hear you Legoman and welcome your opinion!

I specifically chose the Apple example because of some of the parallels between the two companies - both in history and recent strategies. Of course, there are loads of other variables involved and many differences which mean using that as a predictor is of limited use - but I'd argue it's interesting for debate.

I guess my point is that the predictions of the subset of the existing customer base who perhaps aren't being as well served by the changing direction of the company might not be the best at evaluating the future. I would suggest that there isn't really "consumer pressure" against the direction LR are taking: just as for Apple, it's a mistake to assume a vocal minority on a 'fan' forum represent the customer base. FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green

Badger1970 wrote:

Good point!

The problem is, people don't like "change" of any description. Look at the furore when the FL2 was launched? Look again when they revised the front grill in 2010, and gave it a chrome arse piece? Then changed the interior and lights for MY2013? Just because it's something new ( and technologically more advanced), the "die-hards" will not accept it perhaps as readily as some who are looking at the bigger picture.

"So why shouldn't they charge a few quid extra?"

A few quid to you Badger but about £8,000 to me  MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings