Range Rover gets top score in new-car study

The Land Rover Range Rover achieved the highest APEAL (Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout) score in its segment and for all models according to the recently released J D Power 2013 study. This marks the first time a model outside the large premium car segment has done so, a company statement said. The Land Rover brand ranks fourth overall, an improvement of two placements from sixth in 2012. Land Rover's Range Rover was the award recipient for Large Premium Crossover/SUV in both 2010 and 2011. "It’s a fantastic achievement for the fourth generation Range Rover to be ranked highest in the J.D. Power 2013 APEAL Study,” said Kim McCullough, brand vice president of Land Rover North America. “This underscores the investment being made to innovation and engineering across the Land Rover product portfolio and into making this vehicle the most refined and most capable Range Rover ever.” The fourth generation of the Range Rover line, the all-new 2013 model was launched last October to wide acclaim, receiving over 20 awards and accolades globally to date. It is the world's first aluminum unibody SUV, weighing around 420kg lighter than the outgoing model. Since going on sale last December, the fourth generation Range Rover has been well-received, with strong demand reported across the Mena region, resulting in a year-on-year sales increase of 30 per cent. Robin Colgan, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Mena, said: “Land Rover’s high ranking in the J.D. Power APEAL Study for 2013 is a testament to the technologies and innovation the brand has invested in for its lineup. The All-New Range Rover was engineered to be the most capable and refined Range Rover ever and I have no doubt that it will continue to garner worldwide attention.” Amjad Saeed, general manager of Mahmoudia Motors, the sole and official dealer of the Jaguar and Land Rover brands in Jordan. Said: “The all-new Range Rover has been widely popular amongst our customers in the Jordanian market. We are excited that this model has been recognized by the J.D. Power 2013 APEAL Study, further emphasizing the brand’s progressive approach and unwavering efforts to continuously push the limits of car manufacturing.” The APEAL Study serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle appeal, and has been completely redesigned for 2013. The study, now in its eighteenth year, has been updated to better measure the appeal of today’s vehicles, particularly with respect to the new technologies and features now being offered. Owners evaluate their vehicle across 77 attributes, which roll up into an overall APEAL score on a 1,000-point scale. Source: TradeArabia News Service