1,000-Day, 30-Country Land Rover Expedition Concludes in New York City

NEW YORK, April 16 -- The Wanaume team consisting of two Land Rover Series II Discovery Td5s, and a corps of adventurers headed by Sebastien Ledoux rolls into New York City today officially ending a nearly three year expedition around the world that began in Paris in October 2000. They will be making a special appearance at the Land Rover display at the 2003 New York International Auto Show press days.

Leader of the Wanaume team, Sebastien Ledoux, 30, will appear at the 2003 New York International Auto Show as a guest of Land Rover to share the amazing stories of adventure and discovery, and to celebrate the conclusion of their 1,000-day journey.

Wanaume (Wah-nah-oo-may) is a Swahili word meaning people. The name was selected for the expedition because the team's objective while traveling around the globe was to form a special bond with the Earth and its diverse people.

"Land Rover is proud of what Wanaume has accomplished along their epic journey," said Bill Baker, Director of Special Projects, Land Rover North America. "They drove their vehicles across some of the most desolate parts of the earth and back, pushing their capabilities far beyond what we ever expected. It's our honor to host them as they conclude their journey."

The Wanaume team's expedition around the world from Paris to New York has taken them across more than 60,000 miles, through 30 countries, crossing Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South and Central America, and into North America.

Two 1999 Land Rover Series II Discovery Td5s nicknamed Kikaya and Kikuyu, which are equipped with reinforced suspension, special BF Goodrich All-Terrain Tires and a shower with hot water were used for the journey.

The team left Paris in October 2000 and completed their 1,000-day journey upon arrival this week in New York City. The Wanaume team will be visiting Land Rover retailers throughout the U.S. during the next several weeks to share their experiences before returning to Paris in June. More on their exploits are available on their website www.wanaume.com .

Land Rover North America is part of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover with headquarters in Irvine, California. Land Rover established operations in the US in 1986, and now imports and distributes Range Rover, Discovery and Freelander 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-FINE-4WD or log on to www.LandRover.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 949-341-6800.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Go to http://media.landrover.com for news releases and high-resolution photographs. Wanaume presents a selection of their photography in digital format from the expedition, available at http://media.wieckphoto.com