Land Rover

Land Rover, a British luxury SUV manufacturer, is widely known for its off-road capability and luxurious interiors. Land Rover is unique among U.S. automotive brands as it solely markets SUV products.

The Wilks brothers were inspired by the ruggedness and versatility of the U.S. Army's Jeep after World War II. They worked with the British automaker Rover to create the first Land Rover in 1948. The Series I was a crude but practical vehicle that was perfectly suited for operations in the field.

The 1950s saw Land Rovers moving toward increased power and refinement, with the Series II offering more horsepower and less rudimentary exterior features. The Series IIA, which was produced from 1961-1971, followed suit. The introduction of the Range Rover in 1970 marked a turning point for the company. The stylish and luxurious Range Rover was more consumer-oriented than its predecessors.

Land Rover entered the U.S. automotive market in 1987 when the Range Rover made its debut on American shores. The automaker's vehicles became more luxurious in response to the burgeoning SUV segment, particularly after BMW bought the company in 1995. In 2000, Ford purchased Land Rover from BMW and worked hard to improve the reliability of the company's vehicles.

Today, Land Rover is still well known for its luxury SUVs, including the Range Rover, LR4, and Evoque. The company is now owned by the Indian automaker Tata Motors.