Southport Magazine

Name: Kevin Duffy
Title: Centre Manager, Land Rover Cape Fear
Q: Tell us about the Cape Fear Land Rover brand?  Where the cars are made, etc.

 A:  Land Rover has been in business since 1948. The original vehicles were called “The farmers friend”. They were four wheel drives and built for the English countryside. The vehicles today are still built in the original factory in Solihull England. Today we have a full spectrum of models, which are, either all wheel, or four wheel drives.

Q: What sets Cape Fear Land Rover vehicles apart from others?

 A: Land Rover makes the finest luxury sport utilities in the world. The Queen and all of the Royal family drive Land Rovers. Our vehicles range in price from $37,000, all the way to the high hundreds. One of the greatest attributes of our vehicles is safety. Land Rover has been industry leading through the years, in new developments related to safety.

Q: Are there any new models coming out in 2016?  If so, please tell us about them.

 A: We have some exciting products which have just come out, or are due, in the very near future. The Discovery Sport is the newest model. It is a turbocharged four cylinder, all-wheel drive. Starting MSRP is $37,000, and is available with a third row seat. New for 2016, is our first diesel engine, available for the United States. It will be available in our Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover models initially.

Q: What is your personal favorite model?

 A: Personally, my favorite model is the Defender. Defenders were brought to the US, in the 90’s. They have not been available in the states since then, but have continually been available in Europe and the rest of the world. It is a very Spartan, extremely capable four wheel drive.

Q: We love your mascot, Ruffin the dog.  Tell us how Ruffin came to be part of the family.  What breed and how old is he?

 A: I am glad you got to meet Ruffin. Ruffin is an 11 year old chocolate lab. He belongs to our Master Sales Guide Matt Meakin. Matt has brought Ruffin to work with him since he was a puppy, except on Fridays when Ruffin lets Matt take a day off. Matt recently won Land Rover’s Marque of Distinction Award. It is the second year; he was recognized as the best Sales Guide in the United States. Land Rover recognizes the top performers in each department, (Sales, Parts, Service, etc.). Our Service Manager, Derrick Michael also won. Both He and Matt recently traveled to England to accept their awards.

Q: You offer a concierge service.  Tell us about that and how it might be a bonus for Southport area customers?

 A: A unique benefit to purchasing a vehicle from Land Rover Cape Fear is our concierge service. We will deliver a loaner vehicle to your home or office, service your vehicle, and then deliver it back, when completed. A complimentary wash and vacuum is performed on every vehicle also. This benefit comes with any new or used Land Rover purchased from Land Rover Cape Fear. We travel anywhere from Myrtle Beach to Raleigh, and sometimes further.

Q: What kind of warranty programs are you currently offering?

 A: All of our new vehicles come with a four year, 50,000 mile factory warranty. We also offer certified pre-owned vehicles, which extend the factory warranty to 100,000 miles. Factory backed maintenance plans, are also available for sale, to make your ownership worry free.

Q: Do you have any current specials running?

 A: We offer many types of financing and leasing options, for both the new and pre-owned vehicles. Our Sales Guides, Matt, Karl, and Jacob, would be happy to explore purchasing options for every budget. We are a small family owned dealership. The Sales Guides handle the entire transaction from start to finish. A client will never be passed off to a finance or Sales Manager. Our approach is very relaxed and low pressure.

Q: Tell us about your service department?

 A: The Parts and Service departments are the best I have ever worked with. I have been in the automotive business since the early 80’s, and am blessed with the staff we have. We recently hired a technician from the Raleigh area who also has Jaguar experience. We are in talks to acquire the Jaguar brand, and soon will be remodeling our building to get ready.

Q: Tell us with one word why everyone should own a Land Rover?

 A: Personally, I started with Land Rover in 1997, at our Greensboro location. I worked with German vehicles (Porsche, BMW, Audi),in South Florida, prior to that. Land Rover and North Carolina, were both a breath of fresh air. My family and I, live in Boiling Spring Lakes, and enjoy all that Southport, and the Oak Island area, has to offer. If you would like to consider a different automobile purchasing and ownership experience please come see us.

FUN QUESTIONS:

Favorite food: Italian

Favorite book: Anything by John Grisham

Favorite Music: classic rock and roll

Favorite place to Travel to: Islands, nicest was Bermuda. (Went to Monaco once on a Land Rover trip)

Favorite thing about Southport: The quaintness of the town, and the people. Everyone is very friendly.