Thread: Why have Land Rover only made minor changes to the DEFENDER over the years??

I have a few times before compared Land Rover to Apple. I am a fan of both. Just a few different products/models. They keep it simple. Every so often there is an update - mostly the product remains the same, but some features are upgraded where needed. iPhones and laptops get new CPU's and more memory, but not much else changes... LR's get new engines and gearboxes every major update.

Compare the first iPhone to the latest.

It's a strategy that doesn't appeal to everyone, but personally I like it. If there was a new Defender every year that was an almost completely different vehicle, people like us would perhaps buy something else and we would not have created this social group that we call AULRO. With that comes a following and recommendations to others to buy the vehicle. Etc, etc. I just fear that the corporate figures running most businesses (including LR) will ruin it all for us one day!

the answer is because they hardly sell any

Originally Posted by Bush65

When BMW and later Ford bought Jaguar and Land Rover, they never seemed to be interested in investing in Land Rover.

The third generation Range Rover, which represented only the second major design update in 32 years, was officially introduced to the world at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2002. The new model was developed during BMW's period of ownership of Land Rover from 1995 to 2001. The redesign was given a high priority by BMW, with a total "clean sheet" approach resulting in the claim of most expensive development program for any vehicle, ever.

RESEARCH MARK III/L322

Originally Posted by Samblers

the answer is because they hardly sell any

you might have hit the nail there me thinks. 20K units compared to 100K+ in other models in the marque. LR may as well keep the basic box ticking over because they can easily sell everyone of their most iconic cars with minimal investment.
Try and sell 100K+ defenders, they aren't that popular. Here in Aus 40 Defender per month, toyota hilux 1500, LC 70 series 1100 per month.

Because they got it right early, had a stupid new puma now have the best vehicle in the world off road for the puma was a tilt tray

Originally Posted by newhue

you might have hit the nail there me thinks. 20K units compared to 100K+ in other models in the marque. LR may as well keep the basic box ticking over because they can easily sell everyone of their most iconic cars with minimal investment.
Try and sell 100K+ defenders, they aren't that popular. Here in Aus 40 Defender per month, toyota hilux 1500, LC 70 series 1100 per month.

"40 Defender per month"....that's not many is it,....Do you have access to any official sales figures?
Pickles.

Originally Posted by newhue

you might have hit the nail there me thinks. 20K units compared to 100K+ in other models in the marque. LR may as well keep the basic box ticking over because they can easily sell everyone of their most iconic cars with minimal investment.
Try and sell 100K+ defenders, they aren't that popular. Here in Aus 40 Defender per month, toyota hilux 1500, LC 70 series 1100 per month.

Sort of an off road Morgan.

I doubt they would make any $ off a Defender when they spend huge $$$ per vehicle in warranty repairs.....