Jaguar Land Rover has decided to stretch production of the iconic Land Rover Defender beyond the end of this year and into early next year because of demand.
JAGUAR LAND ROVER had planned to end production of the iconic Land Rover Defender at the end of this year, with a replacement expected around 2018, but due to demand has pushed production out until at least January, and maybe even beyond. The company released a statement saying production may continue until the end of January at JLR’s Solihull factory in the UK.
Indeed, to keep up with demand for the iconic off-roader, which around the world has jumped by 29% int he first half of this year to 11,511 units, the company has added a second shift at Solihull. And the Birmingham Post is suggesting production could be stretched beyond February 2016.
There are rumours that JLR is looking for an alternate location to produce the next-generation Defender, and possibly even a location to extend the life of the current model with India a likely location. Earlier this month, JLR signed a contract with Magna Steyr to produce unnamed new models at its factory in Graz, Austria. That company, among other things, builds the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, so whether it would be a conflict of interest to produce a new-generation Defender remains to be seen.
Isn’t it great they are making more. It’s because it will be such a shame to lose this rugged rig. I love their limited editions!