Defender Write Up Telegraph in Sydney Today

[ak]

In todays paper there is a write up on the Defender.

What shocked me was it sort of read like the Defender will be phased out by 2010. Has anyone read the write up, please tell me I am wrong and mis-understood the 2010 bit.

[solmanic]

Same old story.

...blah blah blah... most capable 4WD on the market...blah blah...ageing design dates back to 1948... blah blah blah... recent update makes Defender more liveable for day-to-day use... blah blah blah... plans to phase out model by 2010...

I'm sure they copy-paste these articles and just add in whatever new specifications LR give them.

[Scallops]

I'm about to gnaw my arm off I'm so damn IMPATIENT!!!

Relax - I had to wait 11 months - 11 long, hard months - your wait is nothin'!:p

[Ace]

The phase out in 2010 rumour has been around for a while, intially it was said it would undergo a total redesign in 2010, and this new model with the new engine was just so ford could get rid of the TD5 and put an engine source from within the ford empire. It wouldnt suprise me if it is phased out in 2010, looking at the way all the other models have gone the defender doesnt really fit does it, not to mention the fact that they have closed all the dealerships most likely to sell them, not many farmers in the city.

[ak]

The phase out in 2010 rumour has been around for a while, intially it was said it would undergo a total redesign in 2010, and this new model with the new engine was just so ford could get rid of the TD5 and put an engine source from within the ford empire. It wouldnt suprise me if it is phased out in 2010, looking at the way all the other models have gone the defender doesnt really fit does it, not to mention the fact that they have closed all the dealerships most likely to sell them, not many farmers in the city.

Yep that was what I was thinking too. Would be a shame if that happens. Hope buy then Merc will import and sell to the private sector the G wagon same as the ADF are getting. They look the goods and with TDV6 and 3 diff locks I reckon they would make a great tourer. I could see myself I one of those.

[scrambler]

The problem with that sort of discussion is that they still sell a LOT of Defenders in the UK. They are (from memory) the third most popular model after the RRS and D3.

There is a "crunch" due in 2012 with new Euro "aggressivity" crash testing (reduced damage to other vehicles and pediestrians) which the Defender cannot meet using the current design (at least that's my understanding). So either it will be dropped or re-engineered, at least for the UK and European market. They already are out of the US due to inability to meet crash tests.

If Tata or Mahindra take over, my money is on production in India for the Defender with the other models continuing in the UK. Private equity firms will be a little less predictable - depending on the whims and coffers, either dropped or ground-up redesign.

[Lionel]

The phase out in 2010 rumour has been around for a while, intially it was said it would undergo a total redesign in 2010, and this new model with the new engine was just so ford could get rid of the TD5 and put an engine source from within the ford empire. It wouldnt suprise me if it is phased out in 2010, looking at the way all the other models have gone the defender doesnt really fit does it, not to mention the fact that they have closed all the dealerships most likely to sell them, not many farmers in the city.

I think the main reason for the change of engine was European anti-pollution regs. The TD5 was not Euro IV compliant, and it was much cheaper to use the 2.4 Transit engine, than spend heaps of money developing the TD5 further.

The problem is that the Defender is being gradually squeezed out of certain markets because of various safety regs. (eg. air-bags, and the US market); somewhat ironic, because it sells quite well where it is sold, and I do take your point re. Aus LR dealers :mad:

It was always intended to be replaced by a clean sheet design at some stage, though who knows what will happen now, with the likely-hood of Landrover being sold to private equity asset-strippers.

Cheers,

Lionel

[solmanic]

I'm about to gnaw my arm off I'm so damn IMPATIENT!!!

Relax - I had to wait 11 months - 11 long, hard months - your wait is nothin'!:p

Actually looks like it's going to be a EXTREMELY short wait. My guy says it has already arrived here in Brisbane a couple of days ago!??!!

I would have stated talking to things if I had your wait:p

[Scallops]

Actually looks like it's going to be a EXTREMELY short wait. My guy says it has already arrived here in Brisbane a couple of days ago!??!!

I would have stated talking to things if I had your wait:p

That's great news, you'll be very happy. And well done selling your TD5 - and don't tell me - Dawg bought it!?:p

As for my wait - what's wrong with talking to a fruit bowl???:eek:

[solmanic]

As long as you didn't start talking to a volleyball - that's just sick!

No, Dawg didn't buy it. I'll let the new ownder introduce himself once he has taken posession - maybe he could start using my avatar:D