Swiss role for Land Rover?
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OFFICIAL Swiss registration statistics for last year have given Land Rover fresh confidence of finally winning a major order for up to 4,000 vehicles from the Swiss army.
The statistics show that sales of civilian Land Rover and Range Rover 4x4s in Switzerland in 1985 totalled 1,257, 194 up on 1984, while Mercedes' Gelandewagen (Gwagen) sales remained more or less static at only 162.
The G-wagen, built by Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Austria, is Land Rover's only remaining rival in the long running contest to supply the Swiss army with replacement 4x4 vehicles for its ageing Willys jeeps and Unimogs.
Two years ago, the army had decided to buy petrol-engined automatic Land Rover One-Tens following an extensive series of comparative tests.
Then, the Swiss government introduced new exhaust emission legislation which unexpectedly also applied to military vehicles.
This meant that the army tests would have to be repeated with vehicles adapted to meet the legislation.
Tests of Land Rovers and G-wagens fitted with catalytic converters in their exhaust systems to reduce emissions are expected to begin in Switzerland in June, with the final decision being taken about nine months later.
Land Rover says it is confident of being able to satisfy the emission regulations and of again passing army tests.
The contract, which will involve supplying about 400 vehicles a year over 10 years, is reckoned to be worth about i:80