Jaguar Land Rover acquires all-terrain performance specialist Bowler
Jaguar Land Rover has acquired Bowler, the UK-based manufacturer of all-terrain performance cars, parts and rally raid vehicles.
Founded in 1985, Bowler pioneered the production of dedicated off-road competition cars in the UK and has achieved success in international rally raid events. The expertise Bowler has amassed for all-terrain vehicle dynamics, low-volume production techniques, and proving the durability of components under extreme conditions, is highly sought-after.
Special Vehicle Operations is a fast-growing business that amplifies the key attributes of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles to create distinctive world-class products – including SV, Vehicle Personalisation and Classic. Adding Bowler as a fourth business unit is a natural fit.
Since its inception Bowler has had a close affiliation with Land Rover, which was formalised with a brand partnership in 2012 that led to the creation of the popular Defender Challenge by Bowler rally series in 2014-2016.
Company founder Drew Bowler died suddenly in 2016, but his legacy and spirit lives on in the team based at Bowler’s premises in Derbyshire, including members of Drew’s family.
Michael van der Sande, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, said:
“For almost 35 years the Bowler name has stood for innovation and success, with a reputation forged by its participation in the world’s toughest off-road motorsport competitions. It’s exciting that we’re now in a position to participate in and lead the Bowler brand’s future as part of Jaguar Land Rover.
“At Special Vehicle Operations we are all eager to start working with our new colleagues at Bowler. Adding the Bowler team’s skills and experience to those of SV, Vehicle Personalisation and Classic is a key step in our strategy to create an exciting and diverse portfolio of products and businesses within Special Vehicle Operations.
“Our immediate focus is on ensuring continuity of support for Bowler employees and customers during this transition to Jaguar Land Rover.”
The Bowler business is now fully-owned by Jaguar Land Rover. Bowler will continue to operate from its premises in Belper for the foreseeable future.
Bowler’s motorsport heritage
1985 Drew Bowler begins making and selling competitive safari and trials cars from his home in Derbyshire
1991 Drew Bowler wins ARC National Comp Safari
2000 Bowler first competes in world-famous Dakar Rally in Africa, and races in central Europe
2004 Bowler vehicle wins British Hill Rally Championship
2005 Bowler's largest ever Dakar entry means it’s the second largest factory team, and has highest finisher rate
2006 Bowler vehicles win both the British Baja National Championship and the French Baja
2012 Bowler agrees formal brand partnership with Land Rover across sponsorship, marketing and engineering
2014 Defender Challenge launched to prepare competitors for Dakar. Bowler moves into new production facility
2016 CSP development begins. Company founder Drew Bowler sadly passes away in November
2018 Bowler vehicles claim first, second and fourth overall on Tuareg Rallye. Military CSP concept debuts
2019 Jaguar Land Rover acquires Bowler
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