Land Rover Defender Production Extended Into 2016

by Mark Stevenson

Published: July 20th, 2015

land rover defender production extended into 2016

Land Rover, just after building its two-millionth Defender (pictured), looks to be extending final production of the go-anywhere utility into January of next year.

According to Automotive News Europe, the manufacturer will extend production of the Defender and increase production before the new best-before date to meet renewed demand, the company said a statement.

Unfortunately, none of those Defenders will be making it stateside — at least not in new condition. However, Jaguar Land Rover is looking for an additional facility, likely outside of the U.K., in order to expand future production. Contract builder Magna Styr recently signed an agreement with JLR to produce unnamed models in Austria.

The next-generation Defender, which will address tightening safety and emissions standards, is expected to launch in 2018.

#2016 #2018 #Defender #Extended #January #LandRover #Production

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11 of 27 comments

"scarey" on Jul 20, 2015

Still have my trusty Isuzu Trooper...the poor man's Land Rover.

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- VolandoBajo on Jul 21, 2015
  
  The idea of the Trooper being a poor man's Land Rover was precisely what drove me to buy one for myself, and later an A/T version for my wife to haul our infant son in, in the nineties. Nits and nats of age finally made them too much to deal with, and the wife went to a Corolla, while I departed for a Cherokee Sport (XJ, I believe).
  
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- Big Al from Oz on Jul 21, 2015
  
  @VolandoBajo Volando, The 70 odd Series Toyota Troopy's are around $10k more expensive than the Defender. So, it appears the Toyo is a more expensive option. Unless you buy a gas V6 Troopy, with the downgraded engine drivetrain combo. We only have the V8 turbo diesels here.
  
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- Signal11 on Jul 21, 2015
  
  @Big Al from Oz It was a sad day when Toyota changed the front end of the 70 series to make room for that V8 diesel.
  
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- Corey Lewis on Jul 24, 2015
  
  @Big Al from Oz Wow that LC70 is derpy looking. Modern equipment grafted on an ancient shape.
  
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Signal11 on Jul 20, 2015

Defenders are only really cool stateside because of their rarity and looks. If you've ever had to drive one day in and day or or had a fleet of them to use as general purpose utility vehicles in the bush, you'd be pretty happy to dump them at first opportunity in favor of 70 series LandCruisers.

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- Wheeljack on Jul 20, 2015
  
  The ones that were sold here in the mid-1990's (before the airbag requirements drove them out) trade hands for silly money if they are in nice condition - generally for more than they cost new! I personally don't get it. For what people are asking for used Defenders with no warranty, you could easily get a brand new Wrangler Rubicon 2-door (or 4-door) with a warranty and a lot more capability out of the box.
  
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- Gakoenig on Jul 21, 2015
  
  @Wheeljack Everyone knows that the Defender premium has nothing to do with the vehicle's actual capabilities or reliability (LOL @ Defender reliability!). They sell for what they do because of the unobtanium status coupled with the general brand status of Land Rover. People are paying a premium for the classic, off-road, Euro aesthetic that can only be had with a vehicle of the Defender's iconic status... and say what you will of the Defender, it is pretty much the definition of an iconic vehicle.
  
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Roberto Esponja on Jul 21, 2015

Jeez, could they put an uglier grille on that thing? Well, I'm sure Subaru could...

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- Corey Lewis on Jul 24, 2015
  
  If you look at the grille alone - it reminds me of a wall AC unit in a cheap motel room. It's complete with dust in the vents as well.
  
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Corey Lewis on Jul 24, 2015

I gotta say, I realize this thing is a legend and all, but it just seems like one of those cars they made because they'd always sell, and out of habit. It's not particularly good when considered as transportation, and it has been eclipsed by offerings from many other manufacturers. Regulation is finally killing it, and they're bringing out another to take its place. It'll sell too, but never have the history of the original. Like the VW Combi in Brazil.

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