Land Rover Launches Journey of Discovery

• The 1,000,000th Land Rover Discovery has been produced at Jaguar Land Rover'sSolihullmanufacturing plant in the UK West Midlands
• Land Rover to showcase the Discovery's unique versatility and breadth of capability by embarking on a expedition from its birthplace inBirmingham,UKto one of its fastest growing markets, Beijing in China
• 8.000 miles, 13 countries in 50 days  ‑ a team of four Land Rover Experience experts tackle all weather, all terrain  in the one millionth Discovery
•  Expedition aims to raise £1million for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Land Rover's most ambitious fundraising project ever (www.landrover.com/million) 
• A significant milestone for theUKcar industry, with Discovery's global sales up by 16% year on year, with  83% of production being exported overseas 
• Solihullplant workforce increased by 20% rising to 6,000 in last six months to meet growing global market demand for Land Rover products
• The Journey of Discovery launched with help from a number of renowned experienced explorers who have all used the Land Rover Discovery in their adventures ‑ including Bear Grylls, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Ray Mears, Monty Halls and Polar explorer Ben Saunders

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The 1,000,000th Land Rover Discovery has been made at Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull Manufacturing Plant near Birmingham in theUK.

To celebrate this milestone and demonstrate the Discovery's class defining versatility and all‑round capability, the 1,000,000th vehicle will now start a 'Journey of Discovery' from its birthplace in Birmingham to Beijing in China ‑ one of Land Rover's fastest growing markets.

The 50‑day, 8,000 mile adventure will be undertaken by three Land Rover Discovery vehicles travelling through more than a dozen countries across Europe and Central Asia, culminating at the Beijing motor show on 23 April.

The expedition also presents Land Rover with the opportunity to launch its most ambitious fund‑raising project yet by aiming to raise £1million (GBP) for the company's Global Humanitarian Partner, the International Federation of Red Cross and  Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The money will be used to support a much needed water sanitation project inUganda.

The Land Rover Discovery

Production of the 1,000,000^th Land Rover Discovery comes 23 years after Land Rover introduced its original model. Since it first came to market as a third model to sit between the luxurious Range Rover and the rugged Defender, it has carved its own market segment and become an international success story.

Discovery has picked up more than 200 awards around the world and last year saw record sales of almost 45,000 units across 170 worldwide markets. It also stands as an excellent example of UK design, engineering and manufacturing, with 83 per cent of production being exported from itsWest Midlandsmanufacturing base.

The Land Rover Discovery is one of the world's most practical vehicles ‑ it can seat seven passengers, has a load space volume of up to 2,500 litres and is packed with technology including Land Rover's award‑winning Terrain Response System, which adapts the vehicle to respond to differing terrains and driving conditions including snow and sand.

The success of the Discovery alongside other Land Rover models has helped to create a positive momentum at the company's Solihull operations. The facility now employs around 6,000 people following a recruitment drive launch six month ago, boosting the workforce by 20% to support its expansion plans.

Alan Volkaerts, Operations Director,Solihull Operations said: "Many people are involved in the production of the Discovery, and many have been here for the whole journey, from car number one to car number one million. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank every one of them. They have done a brilliant job, and have displayed great dedication and service. These are the men and women who have made the Discovery the success story it is today.

I am very pleased to tell you that their numbers are also growing. The success of the Discovery, and of Jaguar Land Rover, means that we are coming to the final stages of a major recruitment drive to fill more than 1,000 new positions here atSolihull, as Jaguar Land Rover embarks on its most ambitious growth plan for many years."

The Expedition

• The 'Journey of Discovery' began today at a special event for employees at Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull manufacturing facility, where the Discovery is built. The vehicle was bid farewell by a reception that included some famous explorers and adventurers.  All of whom have put their faith in the Discovery in some of the world's most challenging environments. Those who attended included Bear Grylls, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Ray Mears, Monty Halls and Polar explorer Ben Saunders.

The challenge follows in the tyre tracks of 'The First Overland Expedition' of 1955, in which a team in Series 1 Land Rovers set out fromBirminghamtoBeijing. That expedition had to divert toSingapore, but in the spirit of the original challenge the Discovery will be crossing many of Land Rover's major markets including theUK,RussiaandChina.

Phil Popham, Group Sales Operations Director., Jaguar Land Rover said: "Discovery is an extraordinary vehicle and it deserves to be unleashed on an extraordinary journey. There is no better vehicle to tackle all weather, all terrain than the Discovery 4. This gruelling expedition will be visiting 13 countries and covering 8,000 miles, and it's a fitting initiative to celebrate the one millionth vehicle." 

The £1million fundraising challenge

With a £1million target, the 'Journey of Discovery' is Land Rover's most ambitious fundraising project to date. It will support IFRC and their water sanitation project inUganda. This is in addition to the three‑year global initiative "Reaching Vulnerable People Around the World".  This initiative, launched in 2010, provides additional support for IFRC programmes in over 15 countries worldwide.

Mark Cameron, Land Rover Global Brand Extension Director said: "Land Rover is delighted to launch the One Million Pound fundraiser in aid of the IFRC ‑ an organisation we have had a relationship with since 1954. The funds will be used directly by the IFRC, over a three‑year period and will be donated to a water sanitation project inUganda, with over 45,000 beneficiaries."

Bekele Geleta, Secretary‑General of the IFRC said: "Lack of safe water is the most common and preventable underlying cause of disease in the world today andUgandais one of the countries worst affected. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are working inUgandato provide safe water and sanitation, reaching 90,000 in the last four years. This joint initiative between the IFRC and Land Rover aims to reach an additional 45,000 people inUganda."

We are aiming to raise £1,000,000 for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' water and sanitation project inUganda. For more information please visit www.landrover.com/million

ENDS

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Lucy Reynolds

Land Rover UK PR Manager

T: 01926 649282 / 07801 699 928   E: lreyno25@jaguarlandrover.com

WaiLo Li

Land Rover Global Humanitarian & Conservation Partnerships PR Officer 

T: 07557 847 561   E: wli@jaguarlandrover.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:

•   To download B‑roll, photography and further information about The Expedition and Land Rover Discovery visit www.media.landrover.com
• The Global Humanitarian & Conservation Partnerships form part of an integrated approach to sustainability and sit within Land Rovers' Our Planet. (www.landrover.com/ourplanet)
• The global initiative builds upon Land Rover's commitment to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which has seen the company, provide £4.7 million in support, since 2007.
• The global initiative focuses on two extensive Red Cross community programmes inChinaandSierra Leone. Land Rover also provides additional support for Red Cross and Red Crescent programmes in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
•  In 2011, Land Rover Experience provided 27 driver training places for emergency responders, in preparation for off‑road driving in severe weather conditions. In addition, Land Rover provided e‑tutorials, off‑road driving materials for British Red Cross staff and volunteers.
• In 2010, IFRC and Land Rover launched a three‑year partnership entitled 'Reaching Vulnerable People Around the World'.
• In 2010, Land Rover donated 30 defibrillators to go in the 30 previously‑donated vehicles, and loaned vehicles to the British Red Cross over the severe winter weather period, helping them reach vulnerable people in affected areas across theUK.
• In 2008, as part of Land Rover's 60th Anniversary and the 100th anniversary of the Royal Charter being granted to The British Red Cross by HM King Edward VII, the company donated 60 vehicles to the charity. Half of the vehicles were allocated to projects around the world and the other half were distributed throughout theUK.