Roving Ahead
Robb Report Singapore|May 2020
An in-depth chat with Robin Colgan, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Asia Pacific, about the past, the present and the future, along with the opportunities and challenges for the iconic British SUV manufacturer.
Daryl Lee
Roving Ahead

The luxury SUV is ubiquitous in 2020. Every premium carmaker worth its salt has at least one in its line-up and the vehicle type is by far the dominant sales force driving the car industry forward.

Even traditional sports car manufacturers such as Lamborghini and Porsche have an SUV in their portfolio, and they’ve proved hugely profitable to bottom lines, with said models contributing to around 50 per ent or more of their annual vehicle sales.

But all this might seem like old news to Land Rover because it’s been building luxury SUVs for half a century now. The original Range Rover made its debut in 1970, and in the course of its long life – stretching from then until 1994 – it defined the segment before there even was a segment to speak of.

The first-generation Range Rover spent its life pretty much unchallenged, though of course, these days the legendary model is far from the only game in town. But in spite of the increased competition, Robin Colgan, managing director of the British carmaker’s Asia Pacific operations, isn’t too bothered. In fact, the increased competition is something Colgan welcomes.

“It doesn’t have a negative impact on our sales and the answer is, no it never has. The growth in the premium SUV segment has been exponential for the longest time… and there is still significant growth to come,” he says.

His reasoning is, to summarise and use the well-worn aphorism, ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’.

This story is from the May 2020 edition of Robb Report Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2020 edition of Robb Report Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ROBB REPORT SINGAPOREView All
BREAKING DOWN WALLS
Robb Report Singapore

BREAKING DOWN WALLS

Georgina Atkinson, managing partner of Origin Private Office, on the evolving landscape of high-end real estate.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Aged Gracefully
Robb Report Singapore

Aged Gracefully

The Benromach 50 Years Old by Gordon & MacPhail is a delicious single malt, touched by love, passion and the human hand.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
This Month's Feed
Robb Report Singapore

This Month's Feed

Only the best dining and drinking spots in Singapore.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Small-scale Thinking
Robb Report Singapore

Small-scale Thinking

Architect Todd Saunders wants to change the way we approach hospitality design from the ground up.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Todd Snyder Is Exactly Where He Wants To Be
Robb Report Singapore

Todd Snyder Is Exactly Where He Wants To Be

\"Our whole goal is to present product in a way that guys get it and understand it, versus 'Here's some crazy aspirational brand-you go figure it out on your own'.\"

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
Depp Dive Into Sauvage
Robb Report Singapore

Depp Dive Into Sauvage

Johnny Depp on music, scents and the mystique of creativity.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Time For Poetry
Robb Report Singapore

Time For Poetry

Pascal Raffy on his love affair with the 202-year-old house of Bovet.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
One of a Kind
Robb Report Singapore

One of a Kind

The incomparable Lange 1 turns 30 this year and A. Lange & Söhne marks the occasion with its trademark understatement.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
P For Personality
Robb Report Singapore

P For Personality

Enhance your swing, and inject your personal style while you're at it, with TaylorMade's new P-770 and P-7CB irons.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
The Short-hop-adventure-craft Category Takes Off
Robb Report Singapore

The Short-hop-adventure-craft Category Takes Off

Inside the flight deck of Pivotal's Blackfly eVTOL, an ultra-smart ultra-light with eight propellers, electric propulsion and no pilot's licence required.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024