The 2,000,000th Land Rover Defender was sold at Auction for £400,000, all proceeds going to Charity.

• One-of-a-kind Land Rover ‘Defender 2,000,000’ sold for £400,000 at prestigious charity auction at Bonhams
• Thought to be most valuable production Land Rover ever to be sold at auction
• VIPs including Joanna Lumley join collectors and fans of the iconic vehicle as milestone Defender goes under the hammer
• ‘Defender 2,000,000’ – the two millionth Series Land Rover and Defender produced at Land Rover’s Solihull, UK plant – assembled by all-star cast including adventurer Bear Grylls and actress and conservationist Virginia McKenna
• Vehicle created as tribute to almost seven decades of Land Rover production in the Solihull plant, ending in January 2016
• All proceeds from auction donated in their entirety to Land Rover’s humanitarian and conservation partners, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Born Free Foundation

A one-of-a-kind Land Rover Defender sold for a record £400,000 at a prestigious charity auction at Bonhams tonight, from which all proceeds are being donated to Land Rover’s humanitarian and conservation partners. This is the thought to be the most valuable production Land Rover ever to be sold at auction.

The unique vehicle, the two-millionth of the iconic Series Land Rover and Defender models manufactured at Land Rover’s Solihull plant since 1948, was sold to a bidder from Qatar. The vehicle was built in May 2015 by an all-star cast of brand ambassadors and people from Land Rover’s history including Bear Grylls, Virginia McKenna OBE and Stephen and Nick Wilks, sons of the founders of Land Rover. 

All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Land Rover’s humanitarian and conservation partners: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), who will use the donation to help communities in South-East Nepal to improve how they tackle natural disasters, and the Born Free Foundation who plan to use the funds to support the ‘Project Lion Rover’ wildlife conservation initiative in Meru National Park, Kenya. 

The project provides critical equipment to help protect lions and other wildlife and establishes education and community involvement to tackle issues such as snaring and poaching.

Attendee Joanna Lumley, Founder Patron of international wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation, expressed the importance of donations in the work they do worldwide to save lives, stop suffering and protect species in the wild: “To raise such a substantial amount with the sale of one vehicle is phenomenal. 

Without the support of the public and partners such as Land Rover, we would not be able to effectively make a positive change to the world as we know it.”

Born Free Foundation Founder and Trustee Virginia McKenna OBE said: “Despite seriously lacking mechanical skills, I was given the great privilege of attaching the number plates to this very special Defender. Land Rover has been in our lives since 1964, when my husband Bill and I went to Kenya to film ‘Born Free’. 

Each day we went out in our vehicle with George Adamson and a lion; out on to the plains for our early morning walk. We are delighted that the money raised from today’s auction will help Born Free’s work with wildlife in the Meru area of Kenya.”

Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of The British Red Cross said: “We are extremely grateful to Land Rover for so generously donating half the proceeds of the sale of this one-off vehicle towards our work in Nepal.  

The Red Cross has used Defenders in humanitarian work and relief efforts in the UK and around the world since the early 1950s and has benefited from Land Rover’s support on many occasions through vehicle donations and loans. 

This vitally important project in Nepal – the 18th supported by Land Rover – will improve the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people and communities.”

John Edwards, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Operations, who oversaw the build of the car, said: “Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to turn a milestone Land Rover into a true collector’s car. With the expert help of my SVO team and a handful of willing Land Rover ambassadors, we created something unique and very special. 

Tonight’s sale will go down as part of our history. 

Of course, Defender has a future and will live on in its own right. But the original Series Land Rovers and Defenders will also continue to thrive through our Jaguar Land Rover Heritage division.”

Robert Brooks, Bonhams Chairman, said: “It’s a great privilege for Bonhams to have been selected by Land Rover to offer this historically significant, one-of-a-kind Defender at auction. Following spirited bidding, the gavel finally fell to a delighted bidder on the telephone, achieving an excellent six-figure sum for two wonderful charitable causes.”

The vehicle, built as part of a year of celebrations for the much loved 4x4 which will cease manufacturing in Solihull in January 2016, boasts a host of distinctive and bespoke finishing features including an engraved map of Red Wharf Bay – where the design for the original Land Rover was first drawn in the sand, and a unique 'no 2,000,000' badge. Inside, the leather seats also feature the 'Red Wharf Bay' graphic and 'no 2,000,000' logos have been stitched on the headrests. 

A bespoke aluminium plaque, signed by everyone who helped to assemble the vehicle is fitted to the driver's seat. Special S90 HUE registration plates provide a fitting tribute to the first ever pre-production Land Rover, registration 'HUE 166'.

The 2,000,000th Land Rover Defender goes on display before being auctioned off for charity.

• Bespoke Land Rover Defender 2,000,000 on public display for Series Land Rover and Defender heritage exhibition at Bonhams London on 15 and 16 December
• Exhibition to precede prestigious charity auction of the Defender 2,000,000 on 16 December
• All proceeds from the sale to be donated in their entirety to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Born Free Foundation

A two-day Series Land Rover and Defender heritage exhibition will be on display at Bonhams London from 15-16 December ahead of the prestigious charity auction of the Defender 2,000,000. The exhibition will celebrate 67 years of UK production and chart the Defender’s journey to becoming a global automotive icon.

Prospective bidders and the general public are invited to preview the Defender 2,000,000 throughout the specially curated exhibition, which celebrates almost seven decades of Land Rover production at the Solihull manufacturing facility in the UK.

With a ‘hall of fame’ depicting the Land Rover playing a supporting role to Hollywood heroes such as Steve McQueen and Daniel Craig in his role as James Bond 007 and Sir Winston Churchill and British nobility including Her Majesty The Queen, the exhibition will illustrate the journey of an icon that has travelled the world, playing a key role in expeditions and touching the lives of countless millions through Land Rover’s longstanding humanitarian and conservation work with partners such as the British Red Cross and the Born Free Foundation.

Visitors will be encouraged to share their Defender stories and journeys with a wall dedicated to capturing the moment that Land Rover made an impact on their lives. 

Roger Crathorne will be on hand to talk to visitors during the exhibition. Roger is known simply as ‘Mr Land Rover’ to Royalty, VIP customers and global explorers worldwide. With more than 50 years’ service with Land Rover, Roger’s vast knowledge of the company, experience of driving the product in the world’s most inhospitable regions and passion for the brand is invaluable.    

Roger Crathorne comments: “The Series Land Rover and Defender have played a huge role in the lives of people all over the world for almost 70 years and to be able to offer it a fitting send off as it nears the end of production is an honour for me. Through the creation of the exhibition we have really got under the skin of just what has made Defender such a loved vehicle.  We hope that the exhibition really brings to life the richness of the vehicle’s heritage and why it has had such longevity.”

The exhibition will precede a prestigious charity auction where collectors and Defender fans will be given the opportunity to own the Defender 2,000,000, a unique piece of Land Rover history. Reflecting Defender’s heritage, all proceeds will be donated in their entirety to Land Rover’s humanitarian and conservation partners – the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Born Free Foundation.

The Defender 2,000,000 is a one-of-a-kind vehicle that was assembled over ten days earlier this year by 33 Land Rover brand ambassadors and enthusiasts including adventurer Bear Grylls and British entrepreneur Theo Paphitis. Representatives from the IFRC and Born Free also made the journey to Solihull to fit their part to the vehicle, including actress and founder of the Born Free Foundation Virginia McKenna OBE.

Interested visitors and bidders can drop into the exhibition at Bonhams on New Bond Street, London free of charge any time from 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs on Tuesday 15 December and from  09:00hrs on Wednesday 16 December with the auction starting at 18:00hrs.

1 Icon, 67 Years, Numerous variants and 2,000,000 units, congratulations to the everlasting Defender.

• Land Rover announces build of 2,000,000^th Series Land Rover and Defender at Solihull manufacturing facility, UK
• Adventurer and Land Rover Ambassador Bear Grylls joins special team to assemble Defender 2,000,000
• The one-of-a-kind vehicle will be sold at an exclusive charity auction at Bonhams auction house on 16 December 2015 as production of current Defender enters its final phase
• Funds raised to be donated to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Born Free Foundation

Celebrating 67 years of iconic Land Rover production, a unique vehicle has been built to commemorate the UK production of the two-millionth Series Land Rover and Defender.

With a bespoke design and an all-star cast of special guests helping to complete the momentous build, ‘Defender 2,000,000’ has been created to be a fitting tribute to almost seven decades of Land Rover production in the Solihull plant, UK.

In December 2015, collectors and Defender fans will be given the opportunity to own this unique piece of Land Rover’s history when it is auctioned by prestigious and globally renowned auction house, Bonhams. 

Reflecting Defender’s heritage, all proceeds will be donated to Land Rover’s humanitarian and conservation partners – the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Born Free Foundation.

Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive of Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Over 67 years, the Series Land Rover and in turn Defender has been the transport of choice for explorers, charity organisations, farmers and even royalty. Throughout history it has helped pioneers to reach the unreachable. 

What started life as an agricultural workhorse has transcended the automotive world to become a worldwide design icon. I was honoured to join the production line team in Solihull to help build this unique vehicle. It was a special experience which will no doubt become a fond memory.

“The auction of this milestone vehicle is an opportunity to own a piece of Land Rover’s history, as Defender enters its final phase of manufacturing in Solihull. 

Giving people the chance to buy this truly distinctive Defender to raise funds for the IFRC and Born Free Foundation is a suitable way to celebrate the role that Defender has played in supporting our humanitarian aid and conservation partners over the decades.”

During May 2015, a team of life-long Defender fans were invited to join the Solihull production line in May to help build this one-of-a-kind vehicle, including adventurer Bear Grylls.

Commenting while on the production line, Grylls said: “The Land Rover Defender has been there for me more times than I care to remember. 

They are so often the unsung heroes of our TV shows, working hard in the toughest conditions to get crew in and out of exceptionally challenging terrains. Known and respected by me and many other adventurers for their rugged reliability – it was an honour to be asked to take part in the build of this very special car.”

Representatives from the IFRC and Born Free also made the journey to Solihull to fit their part to the vehicle, including actress and founder of the Born Free Foundation Virginia McKenna OBE.

The vehicle will be publicly unveiled by Bonhams at Goodwood Festival of Speed, being held 25-28 June. 

After completing a schedule of public appearances throughout the rest of the year, ‘Defender 2,000,000’ will be auctioned at a prestigious charity event, held at the Bonhams auction house in New Bond Street, London on Wednesday 16 December.

As part of the auction, Bonhams will host a specially curated Series Land Rover and Defender exhibition, to showcase the vehicle’s rich history and detail its journey to becoming a global automotive icon.

Robert Brooks, Bonhams Chairman, said: “Bonhams and Land Rover are quintessentially British brands, and so we are delighted to be auctioning the two-millionth Series Land Rover and Defender on 16 December at our global headquarters in New Bond Street. 

It’s an honour to offer this landmark vehicle and I’ve no doubt there will be some spirited bidding.”

The ‘Defender 2,000,000’ vehicle features a plethora of distinctive finishing touches. A map of Red Wharf Bay – where the design for the original Land Rover was first drawn in the sand – is engraved into the aluminium fender, which contrasts with the exterior Indus Silver satin paint.

A unique ‘no 2,000,000’ badge sits on the rear of the vehicle, which is mirrored on the interior console. The design is finished with Santorini Black wheels and wheel arches, roof, door hinges, grille and mirror caps.

Inside, the leather seats also feature the ‘Red Wharf Bay’ graphic and ‘no 2,000,000’ logos have been stitched on the headrests. 

A bespoke aluminium plaque, signed by everyone who helped to assemble the vehicle is fitted to the driver’s seat plinth. On the front and rear, S90 HUE registration plates – a reference to the first ever pre-production Land Rover, registration ‘HUE 166’ – complete this one-of-a-kind Land Rover Defender.

Production of the original Land Rover Series I began at the famous Lode Lane facility in 1947 ahead of its launch at the Amsterdam Motor Show on 30 April 1948. Since then two million examples of the Series I, II III and Defender have been produced at Solihull.

Land Rover and the Born free Foundation open new Ethiopian Lion enclosure and education centre.

• Land Rover continues support for international wildlife charity Born Free Foundation
• Land Rover funds new lion enclosure alongside Defender utility vehicle and contributes towards the running of new visitor and education centre
• New facility set to help educate thousands of school children and visitors each year

Land Rover and international wildlife charity, Born Free Foundation, have opened a vital new lion enclosure and education centre in Ensessakotteh, Ethiopia. ‘The Tree House’ centre, is a re-designed facility set to cater for thousands of visiting school children each year. 

It provides a base and classroom facilities which will help the team at Ensessakoteh carry out environmental education activities that include interactive games, role-playing and writing workshops, all focused on educating the next generation on the importance of conversation and care for animals.

Marking the significance of the initiative, actress and legendary conservationist, Virginia McKenna OBE; His Excellency, the former President of the FDRE, Girma Wolde-Giorgis; Dawud Mume Ali, Director General of Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority; and Adam M Roberts, CEO of the Born Free Foundation and Born Free USA were in attendance demonstrating their support.

Ensessakoteh, meaning ‘Animal Foot Print’ in Amharic, offers sanctuary to over 70 wild animals who have either been orphaned or confiscated from illegal trade or ownership. 

The centre is able to house the wildlife within 77-hectres of protected wilderness whilst offering a peaceful haven for visitors, allowing them to enjoy the beautiful surroundings that still retain their natural environment.

Land Rover has a unique history with the Born Free Foundation and its vehicles have played a key role in the charity’s activities in Africa and beyond. 

Ensessakoteh has a Land Rover Defender on site which assists in the everyday activities of the staff, from transporting food and equipment around the wilderness areas to supporting the day to day running of the education centre.

The charity, supported by Land Rover, is devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare, taking action to protect threatened species and stop animal suffering as well as helping the local government with wildlife management.

Mark Cameron, Jaguar Land Rover Global Brand Experience Director, said: “The redevelopment of the centre at Ensessakotteh is a project that Land Rover and Born Free have been working towards for some time. The facility will provide a protective environment to care for the wildlife. 

The centre will also play a vital role in educating young people about the importance of conservation and will make a real difference by spreading awareness about how people can adapt their lives and attitudes to ensure a sustainable future for man and wildlife alike.”

Adam M. Roberts, Born Free CEO added, “The Born Free Foundation works dynamically and diligently the world over to conserve wildlife, stop suffering, and rescue individual animals in need. We can only accomplish our significant successes year after year with the strong support of vital partners such as Land Rover. 

Ethiopia’s wild animals are more secure because Born Free and Land Rover are working together to ensure their well-being, and that is a partnership of which we will forever be proud.”

Land Rover announces its support of the Born Free Foundation’s Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme.

• Land Rover has announced its support of the Born Free Foundation’s Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme (SLTP) protecting the Bengal tiger in India
• Land Rover’s all terrain off-road capability has played a vital role in enabling workers to reach otherwise inaccessible areas
• Collaboration has allowed SLTP partners to promote environmental sustainability
• Land Rover’s continued support has been demonstrated through collaborative launch of automotive journalist Bob Rupani’s ‘Tracking the Tiger’

Land Rover has announced its support of a collaborative tiger conservation project. The project works with the government and communities across the Satpuda landscape to protect the Bengal tiger and its habitat throughout Central India.

By supporting the Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme (SLTP), Land Rover continues its global partnership with the Born Free Foundation, one of the key partners of the SLTP which established the Programme with the University of Oxford’s WildCRU ten years ago.

Of the 2200 Bengal tigers in India, at least 350 are in the Satpuda Hills. The Satpuda forests of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra offer the best hope for saving the Bengal tiger in the wild. With a network of seven Tiger Reserves connected by forest corridors, this is the largest block of tiger habitat in India.

The Born Free Foundation, in partnership with Oxford University’s WildCRU, is restructuring existing projects into a network of Partners operating across the landscape, funding their specific needs and developing better communication between them.  This ensures limited resources are maximised and targeted to protect wildlife and meet the most urgent needs of the people that live close to tigers.

This collaborative approach is implemented by a highly-motivated team of Indian conservationists who are responsible for carrying out SLTP’s various activities. These include the promotion of the needs of Bengal tigers by focusing on healthcare.

In the last year the SLTP has educated over 16,000 children in environmental issues and delivered health services to over 15,000 people living in rural villages. They have also brought legal opposition to environmentally damaging projects that has succeeded in influencing – and in some cases, stopping - their implementation. This supports their efforts to promote environmentally sustainable livelihoods.

Mark Cameron, Global Brand Experience Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said:

“This incredible project allows us to cement our strong relationship with the Born Free Foundation to help protect the Bengal tigers and their surrounding communities.

“By working with the SLTP partners we can underpin key conservation strategies across the landscape with healthcare and education programmes to spread the key conservation messages across the tiger reserves. This collaboration with the SLTP partners and local communities is crucial to ensuring the safety, protection and well-being of the tigers, and the people who live close by.

“The project’s Land Rover vehicles with their all-terrain capability have played a vital role in supporting this programme, enabling the team to reach areas which would otherwise be inaccessible and safely deliver personnel and equipment into, and out of, the most challenging situations.”

Last month Land Rover collaborated with the Born Free Foundation to launch a book that tracks tigers across the Indian landscape.

This book, ‘Tracking the Tiger’, has been written and crafted by respected auto journalist and wildlife lover Narayan (Bob) Rupani. It is a celebration of the beauty of India’s wildlife and an authentic 50-day journey around the country’s tiger reserves.

Land Rover proudly hands over the keys to a Freelander 2 to help save the Tigers in India.

• Land Rover extends support to Born Free Foundation in India with the delivery of a new Land Rover Freelander
• Land Rover’s Freelander with its all-terrain capabilities will enable workers to reach areas otherwise inaccessible
• Land Rover’s partnership with the Born Free Foundation was first established in 2002

Land Rover has extended its support to the Born Free Foundation’s work in India by delivering a brand new Land Rover Freelander to the Satpuda Foundation, one of Born Free’s partner organisations in Central India, to carry out critical conservation work in the country’s central tiger reserves.

The Land Rover Freelander features the distinctive Born Free white paw prints, and will be a vital asset in the field and a highly visible ambassador for conservation work in the Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme area, which is the largest viable block of tiger habitat in India.

Tigers have become a highly endangered species due to poaching and loss of their natural habitat. In fact, their numbers have now plummeted to just 3,500 worldwide - these creatures are fighting for their very survival. There are dedicated teams at Satpuda working to ensure their future and this Land Rover Freelander is now an important part of that network.

Mark Cameron, Brand Experience Director at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Land Rover’s on-going partnership with the Born Free Foundation has already helped support some of the Foundation’s most important projects in the UK, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. With this addition of the Land Rover Freelander to the Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme, I believe together we will now make a real contribution to the conservation of the endangered Tiger in India.

“The Land Rover Freelander’s all-terrain capability will enable conservation workers to reach areas which would otherwise be inaccessible and ultimately protect the tigers throughout the Satpuda Landscape.”

Will Travers OBE, President of the Born Free Foundation, added: “In one form or another Land Rover has been part of Born Free’s DNA for nearly seven decades, all the way back to the days when George and Joy Adamson used a Land Rover to help return Elsa the lioness to freedom, a story that inspired Born Free the book, and the film.

“Today the link is even stronger with Born Free-branded Land Rovers already deployed in wildlife hotspots in South Africa, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Ethiopia. Now India will benefit from this strategic alliance and I am delighted that a brand new Freelander will be assisting in our efforts to protect wild tigers as part of our Satpuda Tiger Landscape Project, as well as help prevent their continued devastation at the hand of poachers.

“As ever, tigers and other threatened species can count on Born Free and we, in turn, can count on Land Rover!”

Professor Claudio Sillero, the Born Free Foundation’s Head of Conservation, who leads the Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme, added: “We are delighted to be able to assist the work of the Satpuda Foundation through the use of this specialist vehicle which will make a real difference to their ability to negotiate the rugged terrain of the Satpuda forests.”