The Prince of Wales, who also celebrates his 60th birthday later this year, cut a specially designed Land Rover shaped birthday cake and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. The cake was donated to Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Members of key engineering projects over the years were present as The Prince of Wales was given an overview of the manufacturing process at the plant. A number of historic and iconic Land Rovers were on show including HUE 166, the first Land Rover, and a Range Rover Classic used by the Prince himself.
The visit also enabled the Prince of Wales to get an insight into Land Rover's approach to meeting future challenges. This included an in depth look at the LRX Concept, a vehicle envisaged with 120g/km CO2 and 60 mpg capability, and an insight into the overall environmental technologies and CO2 strategy being developed to drive down emissions. Land Rover is involved in a £700m investment in sustainable technology that includes the development of hybrid technology and the use of lightweight material.
Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover, said: "It is a great honour to play host to the Prince of Wales at such a significant milestone for the company. Land
Rover has played an important role within the British car industry for 60 years and we strongly believe that it will continue to do so for many years to come."
Land Rover helps sustain around 50,000 jobs and exports 78% of all production to 169 markets worldwide, generating substantial wealth for Britain. The company supplies a quarter of the global aid agencies' annual requirement for vehicles. Additionally, through the Land Rover G4 Challenge in support of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies partnership, Land Rover is committed to generating £1m for the Federation across the next two Challenge programmes.
Land Rover also runs the world's largest consumer CO2 offset programme, balancing all manufacturing emissions and the first 45,000 miles of customer use in the UK and other European markets.
Land Rover is involved in numerous important conservation programmes worldwide, which are hugely beneficial to local communities. Without the use of Land Rovers, some of their rescue missions or emergency operations would be impossible.
For further information contact:
Paul Thomas
Trimedia
020 7025 7506
07974 251 032
paul.thomas@trimediauk.com
Mark Foster
Land Rover Corporate Communications Manager
01926 648405
mfoste49@landrover.com
Editors' Notes:
• Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Freelander 2, Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 78% of this model range exported to over 160 countries. Land Rover employs 8,500 people and supports a further 40,000 jobs in the supply chain.
• Land Rover is committed to addressing the challenges of climate change and since September 2006 carbon dioxide generated by Land Rover manufacturing activities and UK customer vehicle use has been balanced through an industry leading offset programme run by Climate Care.
• Images available via PA.