This is the thing though, the sections of the world with the most potential for LR to increase sales do have 4wds as a major segment of their sales total unlike the UK. USA best seller? Australia has occasionally had a hilux at number one in total sales for a few months in recent years. Thailand which is the country lr's defender are going to compete against has over 50% local sales of Utes and exports around 1.5-2 million 4wd Utes.
It quite possibly could have been fords long term plan to build the defender replacement there next to the ranga/bt50 Utes.

