Land Rover Pairs With Maria Sharapova – Game. Set. Match.

NEW YORK, April 11, 2006 – Land Rover today announced a multi-year relationship with Wimbledon Champion and one of the world’s most talented female athletes – Maria Sharapova.

The internationally regarded 18-year-old will formally assume a new role as an ambassador for the Land Rover brand at an exclusive Land Rover VIP event this evening [ April 11, 2006] in New York. The multi-year relationship includes her use of Land Rover vehicles, and her participation in retail promotions and events.

Sharapova joins the Land Rover team with a multitude of accomplishments including winning Wimbledon in 2004 and being named among the “50 Most Beautiful People” by People Magazine in 2005. Her global personality and strong performance in international tennis is the perfect match for Land Rover, a brand that offers a modern line-up of powerful and award-winning Sport Utility Vehicles.

“Her drive to win on the court combined with her need for the latest technology to keep her on the road to success means this new relationship is a winning combination and a natural fit,” said Mike O’Driscoll, President, Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America. “In many ways, she reflects the same sense of adventure and extraordinary abilities that our vehicles represent. Maria’s determination and inspirational success combine to make her a global icon and we are delighted that she will be associated with Land Rover.”

Having introduced three new models – the Land Rover LR3, Range Rover Sport and the 2006 Range Rover – in the last 18 months, Land Rover has established an award-winning portfolio of SUVs.

“Having the right transportation is very important to me as it takes me to practice, to the game and to all my personal appearances,” said Maria Sharapova. “When I won Wimbledon, I told myself, ’now I can have a Land Rover.’ Now that I am driving myself I love the protection and style that this adds to my daily commute.”

About Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is currently the fourth-ranked singles tennis player in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), and one of the youngest champions to win at Wimbledon. She has been hailed as a national icon and partners with Colgate-Palmolive, Nike, Prince, Motorola, Canon, Tag Heuer and many more. Her captivating style, athleticism and fearlessness make her one of the most recognizable female athletes in the world.

Her Grand Slam highlights include a win at Wimbledon 2004; semi-finalist at the Australian Open and Wimbledon 2005; quarter-finalist at the French Open in 2004 and 2005; and three grand slam doubles titles. As for her career highlights, they entail eleven tournament titles between 2003 and 2006.

About Land Rover

Land Rover North America is part of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover with headquarters in Irvine, California. Land Rover established operations in the U.S. in 1986, and now imports and distributes Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and LR3 vehicles manufactured by Land Rover in Solihull, England. Land Rover’s worldwide operations are wholly owned by Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan. For information about the Land Rover retailer nearest you, call 800-FIND-4WD or log on to www.LandRoverusa.com.


Land Rover North America is part of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover with headquarters in Irvine, California. Land Rover established operations in the U.S. in 1986, and now imports and distributes Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and LR3 vehicles manufactured by Land Rover in Solihull, England. Land Rover’s worldwide operations are wholly owned by Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan. For information about the Land Rover retailer nearest you, call 800-FIND-4WD or log on to www.LandRoverusa.com.

Vehicle specifications and features are subject to change. For the latest Land Rover pricing and product information, contact Land Rover North America Corporate Communications at (949) 341-5800. Land Rover-related press releases and electronic photos of the company’s products are available on-line in the Land Rover section of Ford Motor Company’s news media website (media.landrover.com).

Contact Information

Nicole Marshall

Media Communications Officer

Land Rover North America

Contact via E-mail