Thread: new defender 2019 ?

Originally Posted by frantic

It quite possibly could have been fords long term plan to build the defender replacement there next to the ranga/bt50 Utes.

I wouldn't expect so. Ford didn't like Defender, it didn't fit in with their world view of Land Rover being a premium brand. Just look at the paltry investment made in the Puma.

I think we're lucky Tata came along when they did, otherwise there would probably not be any future Defender to speculate about.

Cheers,
Jon

Originally Posted by jon3950

I wouldn't expect so. Ford didn't like Defender, it didn't fit in with their world view of Land Rover being a premium brand. Just look at the paltry investment made in the Puma.

I think we're lucky Tata came along when they did, otherwise there would probably not be any future Defender to speculate about.

Cheers,
Jon

I'm of the opposite view, ranga ute is 130inches wheelbase, it uses the same gearbox and engine / engine family AND those engines where first made in the UK and sent to Thailand for 6-12 months until their engine production got going. Further the ranga unlike the bt50 has some LR styling cues with a clamshell bonnet similar to a RRC put on rounded headlights and plastic bits ( you'd really have to try hard to make anything as ugly as a Bt50 )and there's a ford defender to sell in markets or to people that don't like American or Japanese products. Hell the rangas Everest, wagon versions starting price is very similar to the retail of the defender before the production ended.

Originally Posted by frantic

I'm of the opposite view, ranga ute is 130inches wheelbase, it uses the same gearbox and engine / engine family AND those engines where first made in the UK and sent to Thailand for 6-12 months until their engine production got going. Further the ranga unlike the bt50 has some LR styling cues with a clamshell bonnet similar to a RRC put on rounded headlights and plastic bits ( you'd really have to try hard to make anything as ugly as a Bt50 )and there's a ford defender to sell in markets or to people that don't like American or Japanese products. Hell the rangas Everest, wagon versions starting price is very similar to the retail of the defender before the production ended.

Very interesting Frantic. I was thinking same thing re 130, has anyone run a tape measure over the box section size comparing Ranger chassis and Defender chassis?

Ford may not have 'liked' Defender as such (the majority of sheep followers don't) but I bet they did like its chassis strength and they would also have grudgingly liked Defenders kudos remoulded into a (more boring follow the sheep style) dual cab.

Originally Posted by frantic

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.

LR will never be able to compete with the local products and wouldn't be interested anyway,why build two defenders,one for third world and one for the developed world?.LR will have it hands full meeting the demand of markets it already has as well as starting over in North America,remember one of the major reasons for the defender replacement was to get back into that market,another reason why the new defender will not be a cafe poser. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

LR will never be able to compete with the local products and wouldn't be interested anyway,why build two defenders,one for third world and one for the developed world?.LR will have it hands full meeting the demand of markets it already has as well as starting over in North America,remember one of the major reasons for the defender replacement was to get back into that market,another reason why the new defender will not be a cafe poser. Pat

Actually pat the "third world" is how you build your image and create desires in the first world.
That was and is part of the series defender legacy ditto for the Toyota series cruisers. You don't see beat up discos, pajeros ,patrols or lc200 or 100s running around Africa or the Middle East doing exploration or carrying nutters with akA's do you? You see defenders and toymotas series beaten to within an inch still chugging.
Toymotas still sell the series cruiser with the old 4.2 diesel six outside markets with emissions controls. This is a cost and image control plan as well as numbers plan to sell more . Surely LR would considered the same?

Originally Posted by PAT303

LR will never be able to compete with the local products and wouldn't be interested anyway,why build two defenders,one for third world and one for the developed world?.LR will have it hands full meeting the demand of markets it already has as well as starting over in North America,remember one of the major reasons for the defender replacement was to get back into that market,another reason why the new defender will not be a cafe poser. Pat

Here you go Pat: The New Jeep Pickup Can't Get Here Soon Enough

The US market is certainly craving a mid sized real work truck... Hmm but they love they're cafe posers over there too and the real work trucks are all massive. There appears to be gap in the market just like here...

Originally Posted by frantic

Actually pat the "third world" is how you build your image and create desires in the first world.

Not so sure about this logic Frantic, I can't say I have ever met anyone who wants (desires) to live like those in the third world because it's cool.

Originally Posted by MrLandy

Here you go Pat: The New Jeep Pickup Can't Get Here Soon Enough

The US market is certainly craving a mid sized real work truck... Hmm but they love they're cafe posers over there too and the real work trucks are all massive. There appears to be gap in the market just like here...

Yes MrLandy there is,again something Land Rover has gone to great pains to explain why they are making a new defender and why they are going back,the N/A consumer market is the biggest there is,Land Rover are not stupid despite what you think . Pat