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| jav-uk Member Since: 29 Mar 2010 Location: Shropshire Posts: 112   
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http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/industry/ti...rian-roots
More ramblings from the trade rags, maybe the heading for this forum should change? Looks highly likely we are not going to get a utilitarian replacement for our Defenders. Lets hope LR can make a final edition Defender worthy of the marque and then but it to sleep. RIP LR Series/Defender, you served us well. Paul Pondering a New 90 Commercial 2020 Evoque * 2014 110 SW JE Stage 2. *2010 110 Utility. JE Stage 2. *2007 110 SW *2003 90 JE Stage 2. *2000 90 SW If its not leaking it ain't full. |
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5th Jun 2013 7:33am |
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| 22900013A Member Since: 23 Dec 2010 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 3150  
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So its going to basically be a disco 4 then...yawn.
Oh well, we can't say we didn't try to warn them. That premium market they chase so slavishly is THE most fickle market in the world. Yes profit margins may be higher per car, but the chap who bought a Range Rover this year is just as likely to switch to Bentley or Maserati next year. The Defender (when you could get one) did at least usually see repeat sales to such as the military and utility buyers. Like it or not they were the biggest buyers of Defenders. The fact is that a rugged "no-nonsense" vehicle just doesn't fit into a range of very bespoke, luxury cars, and someone high up probably thinks (probably with some justification) that the Defender damages the image of the other products. It would have made sense were the investment available to have split the company in Landrover making utilities and Range Rover making luxury cars, that way the brand would compliment each other rather then damage each other. In its way it probably is for the best if the Defender is just killed off, its clear that the money is tight and I don't think anyone quite knows what to replace it with! How do you replace something that is unique? 2011 110 USW 1973 Series III 1-Ton 1972 Series III 1-Ton Cherrypicker 1969 IIA 1-Ton 1966 IIA 88" |
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5th Jun 2013 8:24am |
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| K9F Member Since: 12 Nov 2009 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 9610 
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Article's bang on with this statement.......
"I know that Land Rover enthusiasts will cry foul and lament the brand moving away from it roots. But all that matters is that the company invests in successful markets with the right products, because all that matters is good profit margins and enough free cash to invest in the next generation of vehicles." Let the bleating and gum bumping begin! Yet again!!!!  If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!
Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!! |
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5th Jun 2013 8:47am |
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| nidge n Member Since: 04 Feb 2012 Location: Cheshire Posts: 719 
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Talking about a Defender within the context of main streets of London just shows how people now view off road vehicles. It appears that the Defender is becoming an embarrassment within the new management of LR. The product and or its replacement doesn't seem to fit into their future plans. Moving a Defender up-market is just bizarre. Where does it leave its identity next to products like the Discovery? It would appear that LR are developing a range of products that are a long way from the companies origins which may not necessarily promote brand loyalty (perhaps with the exception of the Disco) Not replacing the Defender may make economic sense and on that basis I suspect that the current incarnation will be the last. On the same basis, Jaguar shouldn't have replaced the XJ which is not a strong seller. What ever happens, im glad i have my landy.
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5th Jun 2013 9:33am |
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| K9F Member Since: 12 Nov 2009 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 9610
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Me too! Mine's a keeper and I doubt I will ever buy a younger replacement. May sound selfish but personal misplaced sentimentality changes nothing but blood pressure and the risk of a heart attack at my age.....
They are in the business to make money not keep those inherrantly resistant to change happy....... I don't really care one way or the other.....I've got mine and it's exactly what I wanted!!!!!!  If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!
Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!! |
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5th Jun 2013 9:39am |
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| Pickles Member Since: 26 May 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 3787  
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I've read that article, & I don't believe that you could in all honesty take anything concrete out of it.
I've yet to see/read anything suggesting that Defender as we know it will finish, AND being specific with a concrete date......I know it will "eventually''....but that could be some time...Does anyone REALLY know when that time will be? Cheers, Pickles. |
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5th Jun 2013 9:39am |
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| Pam W Member Since: 25 Oct 2011 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1169 
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I remember when LR said the Defender would stop production in 2007 'because it couldn't be made to meet environmental and safety specs ... then it was 2010 - same reason ... then in was 2012 - same reason ....then the latest 2015 and 2017 even been quoted in some circles- same reason plus now also all the 'doesn't fit the premier range' stuff.
The safety and enviro stuff doesn't hold water as all they need to do is reclassify them all as commercials and most of that doesn't apply. As for the 'Premier' thing - well, there is only so many people with 30-50K burning a hole in their back pocket and only so many choices you can give them, and with a growing range of choices in the LR range I can't see where another premier one fits in. Defender stopped being a big seller many years ago, and lasted through the death throws of British Leyland then British Aeospace sell-off, even BMW kept it going and made improvements, Ford did some bits, and now in TATA ownership - TATA being a company who make rugged stuff... I won't believe any of it until it happens. If it happens it will be a real shame and a loss of an icon. But as I've never bought a new Defender and never would, there will be a 2nd hand market for many years to come, plus I already have a 'keeper' of my own, I won't be losing any sleep over it! Our blog - http://landytravels.com/ Yorkshire Off Road Club - http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net |
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5th Jun 2013 10:32am |
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| Laurie Member Since: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 2897 
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Maybe they'll flog the tooling to Mahindra.......?
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5th Jun 2013 10:46am |
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| Martin Site Admin Member Since: 02 Apr 2007 Location: Hook Norton Posts: 6632 
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Actually, the Defender is a pretty good seller: 17,300 vehicles in 2011/2012. That's 1,600 more than the number of Jaguar XJ sold.
1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW |
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5th Jun 2013 10:48am |
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| RobKeay Member Since: 19 Jul 2009 Location: Stafford Posts: 1588 
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I've heard rumblings of pictures of a new defender floating about. Defender as it stands is very old fashioned when you look at the competition. A ford ranger has alot more kit on it and now tows 3.5 ton.
I love my defender and will keep one but to be honest if I could afford to run a d4 I probably would now. A defender is alot like a hobby. But at the minute works well for me and my firm. I've ordered another one but what I'll be buying in 2015. All I hope is it has a green oval on it. Thing is we all know we can keep our machines going, all you need is alot of oil in various forms. As any series 1 owner would surely agree. We have all had a good run with them. A rebuilt one will feel like new anyway and instead of giving land rover any money save it for a new engine and auto box. |
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5th Jun 2013 11:08am |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816  
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We will see,.................. said the blind man.
I am not so sure that LR are not putting sand in our eyes here, and as yet may surprise the market with a real Defender replacement. Fact is we don't know what is going on behind the screen there........ Maybe we should ask Kelly/Liam/Mike from Land Rover Customer Relations  , to shed some light here.  ........ that is when they are not out of office anymore.  
Whatever happens, my SVX is a keeper for the long term. No matter what happens, be it a Defender successor based on a modern platform, or no Defender successor at all, only our current cubes will remain the real thing forever  So better treasure them You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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5th Jun 2013 11:09am |
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| Martin Site Admin Member Since: 02 Apr 2007 Location: Hook Norton Posts: 6632
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OK I think we get your opinion on this now   1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW |
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5th Jun 2013 11:16am |
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| K9F Member Since: 12 Nov 2009 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 9610
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On second thoughts I may be persuaded.....Wouldn't take much........ 
Luvllly jubllly..... 
Pete.....Got a remap in the pipeline???????
Click image to enlarge If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!! Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!! |
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5th Jun 2013 11:55am |
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| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731  
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...nostalgically thinking of an old telephone box
Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
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5th Jun 2013 12:33pm |
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