Quote:
Originally posted by Superman
This is just one of those totally surprising, counter-intuitive facts of life. 'Rovers are not used in Africa because of their reliability. There is, apparently, some other reason. We're still looking for that one good reason.
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Based on my small sample of LRs, and on several years when I was really into the LR community, I can think of some reasons.
- The mechanicals are very rugged, and reliable. Its the electrical gizmos that aren't. In Africa, maybe they don't care that the cruise control stopped working, the airbag light is stuck "on", or the burglar alarm won't turn off. They probably chuck out the damned air suspension too.
- The older LRs are decently reliable overall. And when they do break, you can usually get home. I snapped a rear halfshaft, so drove with front wheel drive. Then my starter went out, so I started it with the crank. Etc.
- Toyota and other Japanese makes in fact did take over much (most?) of the market in Africa. The cost of LRs had something to do with it.