The NFU has announced an exclusive deal for its thousands of farmer and grower members after signing a unique affinity deal with UK car manufacturer Land Rover. The scheme will mean NFU members can make big savings when buying one of the company's 4x4 vehicles.

The partnership comes after months of negotiations and is Land Rover's first and only affinity deal. Fully paid up NFU members will be able to claim savings off a range of vehicles including the Land Rover Defender, Freelander 2 and Discovery.

NFU head of sales and membership Huw Hilditch-Roberts said: "I am delighted that we have managed to secure an exclusive affinity deal with Land Rover. Farmers have been using Land Rover vehicles for many years and this new programme represents outstanding value for all of our members who can now make great savings when buying a new Land Rover at their local dealership. This exclusive deal will also allow members to offset the increase in Vehicle Excise Duty when the new bands come into force in March 2009 for all vehicles with CO2 emissions over 225g/km.

"All Land Rover products have excellent residual values and longevity with 85 per cent of all vehicles the company has produced still in operation across the globe. They also have class leading payloads and towing capacities, making them ideal for our members' use.

"Land Rover is an historic British car marque supporting 50,000 jobs across the country and this aligns with the NFU philosophy of encouraging people to buy British produce. The deal also comes in the year when not only is the NFU celebrating its centenary but Land Rover is 60 years old, making this the perfect partnership."

Source: NFU / Photo: Land Rover