Land Rover announced it has decided to cease operation in Thailand. The British prestige SUVs, however, will be still available in the Kingdom under Guava International dealership.

The appointed authorized dealer Guava International, a distributor of Land Rover in 25 countries, said it have come here to improve customer care and service standard.

Land Rover Thailand began operation in 2001with healthy sale from surging demands in sport-utility-vehicle (SUV). The company has produced and assembled the knock-down Freelander in the Kingdom aiming at premium SUV market.

With skyrocketing fuels prices, demand in luxury SUVs dropped sharply in the recent years and damped Land Rover sale down dramatically to 150 units in Thailand while it enjoyed global sale rise of 17 per cent in 2007.

“In responding to ever-changing customer needs, we have developed our new distribution strategy,” said Richard Haigh, president of Land Rover Thailand.

“We will continue to launch new products,” Guava International automotive group director David Howard told a news conference to introduce the new Freelander 2. “We also aim to enhance relationship with existing customers through warranty package,” he added.