Jaguar Land Rover has announced that it has acquired Bowler, the U.K.-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 U.K. and has achieved success in numerous 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.
Jaguar's Special Vehicle Operations meanwhile is a fast-growing business that amplifies the key attributes of Jaguar and Land Rover's vehicles: Creating distinctive world-class products - including SV, Vehicle Personalisation and Classic. Adding Bowler as a fourth business unit is thus 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's legacy and spirit lives on in the team based at Bowler's premises in Derbyshire, which includes members of Drew's family.
