E.C.D. Automotive Design has just announced our newly-rebooted, improved and world-renowned concierge program. E.C.D. has completely overhauled and enhanced its previous client-based department with new client custom experiences, giving E.C.D. the world’s leading luxury concierge experience while building custom Land Rover Defenders.

For the past five years, E.C.D. has evolved from a company producing 10 vehicles a year to a powerhouse producing 45 custom Land Rover Defenders a year. With the evolution of the company, the concierge program evolved as well. Three years after the conception of the company, E.C.D. opened its first design studio in Kissimmee, Florida headed by Richard Filpo, the company’s automotive designer. The evolution and addition of an in-house designer allowed the company to offer clients a design experience similar to Rolls Royce.

The initial experience starts on the E.C.D. Automotive Design website, which relaunched in 2018 and has since added a new multi-dimensional vehicle configurator. This allows current and future E.C.D. clients to begin the design journey with an idea of different options that can be added to a custom E.C.D. Land Rover Defender including grilles, side steps, roof racks, wheels, and exterior paint colors.

Once a client commissions a custom E.C.D. custom Defender or custom Range Rover Classic, they receive a beautiful hard-covered “welcome” book with full image prints of E.C.D.’s most popular custom builds.

Following delivery of the “welcome” book, the client will get access to a new all-encompassing concierge management program. The software is managed by Bridgette Gale, Client Services Specialist at E.C.D. Automotive Design. The software provides clients with full visibility of their design and production timeline including initial renderings and designs, photos and videos of their custom build throughout production, and important contracts. The program also includes a mobile application for clients to keep their vehicle information on them at all times.

E.C.D. Client Custom Design kit

The Luxury Design Experience, suitably named by E.C.D., begins when clients receive a newly-developed design kit which includes paint, leather, and stitch samples; a USB with a digital copy of the design book; and photos and videos of the client’s chosen vehicle model. Unlike design kits from other companies, E.C.D. Automotive Design’s kits are tailored to each client based on the model of custom build they selected.

The dedicated concierge team arranges a paid trip for clients to the design studio of their choice, either Malibu, California or the “Rover Dome,” E.C.D.’s headquarters in Kissimmee, Florida to begin their first design meeting. Here, clients are able to see various samples, options, and features in person as well as go on test drives.

Since the addition of the design studios, a new design process was created. Once the initial design meeting is completed, Filpo produces several seat design renderings for the client along with paint and leather samples. Once the client has chosen all of their features and upgrades, a final rendering will be sent to the client for approval. Once approved by the client, they will receive a framed rendering of their final design, signed by our automotive designer, to celebrate moving into the next stage of the Luxury Design Experience.

E.C.D. custom Diecast Defender model

E.C.D. then begins their search across Europe for a base vehicle. Once the base vehicle arrives in Florida from overseas, E.C.D.’s teardown team removes one of the hinges off the vehicle and encases it in a premium shadow box with a badge for the client as memorabilia. Once torn down, the vehicle is sent to E.C.D’s in-house paint facility where the client’s chosen paint color is applied to their custom vehicle as well as a diecast Defender model. Upon completion of paint, the diecast Defender is shipped to the client. From paint, the vehicle moves into drivetrain where the client’s chosen drivetrain is installed. E.C.D. currently offers the Chevy 5.3L LC9 V8, the Chevy 6.2L LS3 V8, the Chevy 6.2L LS3+ V8, and the Cummins 2.8L diesel drivetrains.

Once the engine has been installed and the vehicle enters body assembly, clients are able to watch their custom vehicles come to life in front of their eyes through a live camera that streams to the E.C.D. Automotive Design YouTube channel, allowing clients to get a front-row view of their vehicle as it continues to move through production.

One of the most unique opportunities clients can experience is at their custom builds completion. E.C.D. offers the option to invite clients to E.C.D.’s headquarters in Kissimmee, Florida, to attach the final piece of their custom vehicle, the E.C.D. plaque to symbolize the official sign-off of their vehicle. Clients also have the option to drive their custom build to its new home or have it transported by a luxury automotive transport company in an enclosed trailer.