Jaguar and Land Rover announce their participation at 7th Middle East International Motor Show

The Jaguar and Land Rover regional offices amalgamated earlier this year to create a single specialist headquarters in Dubai that services both brands in 40 markets across the region.

Speaking at a press conference in Dubai, Andy Gawthorpe, Managing Director for Jaguar and Land Rover said: "The Middle East International Motor Show is the perfect platform for us to present the latest models from our two premium automotive manufacturers, which have created some of the most evocative premium brands in the world.

"While both Jaguar and Land Rover are targeted at people who appreciate style, luxury, comfort and performance, they appeal to different audiences. It has been an exciting challenge for us, to demonstrate the diversity of each product range while nurturing each brands' own personality and distinctiveness."

Jaguar will exhibit its latest 2004 model line-up under the theme "Performance", and will showcase seven distinct models: the Formula F1 motor sport vehicle, the all-new Jaguar X-TYPE Estate, the X-TYPE 2.5 litre, the supercharged S-TYPE R, the classic XJR, the XK8 convertible sports car, and the all-new flagship XJ model - the seventh generation of this model and the most technologically advanced Jaguar ever built.

Visitors to the Land Rover stand will have the opportunity to view the range of the legendary 4x4 vehicles that have made this brand world-famous, providing drivers with a premium off-road driving experience combined with on-road refinement and luxury.

Under the theme, "Prestige", the Land Rover offering at this year's Motor Show will include the Middle East debut of the 2004 Freelander - the first premium compact 4x4 vehicle to arrive in the region. This new model enjoys significant design and styling enhancements to both the exterior and interior, which have given it a look that is similar to the flagship Range Rover model.

Also making its debut at this year's show is the new Autobiography Range Rover model. Range Rover has enjoyed such success in the Middle East region that is it now the third largest market for the Range Rover model. Autobiography is a personalised programme that enables Land Rover customers to select their own palette of special colours, body kit, leather trim, wood veneers and other details from a wide range of options. The standards of the hand-finished craftsmanship are the highest in the motor industry.

"Despite the worldwide economic and political challenges we have faced during the past two years, we are pleased with the consistent performance of both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands," said Andy Gawthorpe. "In particular, Jaguar posted record figures on a global level in September, with the highest number of sales in the 83-year history of the company. "

On a regional level, the Middle East market witnessed a 18 per cent increase in Jaguar sales in the first ten months of 2003, with the biggest markets - in terms of number of cars sold - being the UAE followed by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. The rich heritage and supreme luxury of the Jaguar brand continues to foster its appeal in the region, and the recent launch of the seventh generation XJ model this year resulted in regional sales growth for the model of a phenomenal 107 per cent.

An unprecedented demand across the Gulf for the luxurious flagship Range Rover model helped drive Land Rover sales by more than 40% for the first ten months of 2003. With the launch of the new Freelander and other spectacular product model enhancements in the pipeline, the brand is expected to grow even further.

"Both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands are enjoying a stronger position in the market and our great product line-ups are ensuring steady growth across the board. This, together with the support and commitment of our importers, will ensure ongoing success and increased market share throughout the Middle East region," added Gawthorpe.