The 2011 launch of the greenest, lightest and most affordable Range Rover ever built has left a six month waiting list for the car - but can buyers get behind the wheel of one any quicker?
Production of the Range Rover Evoque began a year ago today but a lot of frustrated buyers aren't invited to the party as they're still on a lengthy waiting list to get their hands on the popular SUV.
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The popularity of the new 'baby Range Rover', which has seen it win over 100 awards since its launch last September, has led to a scramble for new models in both three- and five-door variation and waiting times of up to six months.
However, latest figures from a poll on the Evoque Owners Club website shows a big difference in the length of a delay - with 40 per cent reporting delays to their Evoque order.
A number of car buyers have taken to website to voice their frustration at the wait they have been subjected to when placing an order and a recent poll shows that a number of users have been hit by a long wait from their dealership.
User Kahlup, posting on Evoque Owners Club's forums, laments "My dealer told me they are waiting for their allocation at end June. So this is for 3 months? If I miss this, I will not get my car in Aug!"
Another user appears mystified by the whole business. "Is this whole allocation process 'normal'? I've never come across it before. Surely it makes sense for a 'first in, first served' basis, regardless of the dealer you bought from?!"
Site owner Daniel Bramley has found waiting times can vary depending on the dealership chosen and specification of the car - and those cars ordered from larger dealerships in standard specification are more likely to arrive early.
For example, buyers that wanted a Pure model had to wait a little longer due to issues over panoramic roofs, paint, xenons and more, but Jaguar Land Rover appear to have fixed these issues since launch, according to Daniel.
"It appears that delay can be down to a number of things, most notably your dealer and the model you select," he said.
"Land Rover allocate a certain number of builds to each dealer. Some larger dealers get more, smaller dealers get less. If you place your order with a dealer that has filled their allocation for that month you can expect a longer wait until they are allocated another slot."
According to the site, 36 per cent of Evoque orders were received earlier than expected since the car was launched, nearly the same figure as those that were delayed.
Land Rover has confirmed the popularity of the car, despite increases to production and the creation of several thousand jobs at the Halewood Plant, has led to delays of six months for a standard model.
"In regards to order time for [a standard Range Rover] Evoque, it can vary slightly depending on the dealer used, but it is approximately 6 months from placing an order to vehicle delivery," a Jaguar Land Rover spokesperson told MotorTorque.
Luckily for car buyers, standard Evoque orders should not be delayed by longer than six months and, taking into account orders including optional extras and bespoke touches, over half of all delays on the Evoque Owners Club forum were just 1-2 months.
Why are waiting times so long?
The award-winning car, which has also seen a special edition designed and launched by Victoria Beckham, is produced at Jaguar Land Rover's Halewood plant in Merseyside.
To build the car, 1,000 new jobs were created by the company in March this year to cope with demand, adding to the 1,500 extra staff employed when production of the model was first announced.
Pre-orders for the SUV meant the Evoque was sold out before it even hit the production line. Jaguar Land Rover's aggressive pricing strategy, which sees the car available from £28,695, has won a number of fans, as has its low emissions and amazing fuel economy.
Jaguar Land Rover has promised to invest an additional £1billion into its UK arm over the next four years to cope with demand, which will also benefit suppliers of components, services and facilities to the Evoque production line.
The Evoque has been a winner for Jaguar Land Rover. Figures in March 2012 show a 14 per cent sales increase on March 2011, with reports that the Evoque has officially sold out until 2013. More than 32,000 units have been built and sold during the car's first year on the market.
Written by John Meadowcroft