Land Rover: vehicular exploration and geographical studies

Land Rover
Originally uploaded by ALYASY.

While you know the Land Rover as an expensive surburban SUV, I know it as the vehicle of choice for explorers of tough terrain. In the post-WWII era the Rover was used across the roadless territory of Mongolia, Arabia, the safari lands of Kenya and other such primitive regions.

The Land Rover was the prototype for the SUV. I think Toyota made the first successful urban product based on the boxy, high-sitting 4WD vehicle. Did the US company Jeep play a part in the evolution of the SUV?

Did the world's explorers use the Land Rover because it was the absolute best in rugged terrain or because it was sold across the British Empire?

Are you aware that the SUV is responsible for much of the profit being enjoyed by US auto companies such as Ford and GM? Acc to the NY Times the SUV is much more profitable than a sedan. What happens when the cost of oil goes so high that the SUV loses favor in the market?