Yep LR have lost the plot. I suppose they will still make lots of money with their target audience, but I dont think I will be one of them. Getting way overpriced for me. Maybe a Navara next if i buy new. The LR heritage is all but being flushed down the crapper now Ford have taken over. Typical Ford mentality, screw the lower end of the market with anything decent. These morons have also pulled the F250 from the market here now it has become a good seller. Go figure.
Like I have always said if LR marketed their product a bit better and actually got bums on seats to test drive in the mid 90s, erradicating all the bull put out by some certain 4x4 magazine editors, people would have realised what a great 4x4 they are and bought them. Toyota are the masters at this and their 4x4 are not really great 4wds, are fuel guzzlers and fugly, but they have a decent marketing strategy that right or wrong works. I have said it befor if they made the Defender a little more ergonomic inside and a little better build quality, with the right marketing Toyota would be in trouble. Most people I know love the shape and look of the Defender but will not tolerate the interior discomfort and real lack of room in the cabin for a big truck. I have had more people stop me or look at the Defender than any other 4x4 I have owned including the Disco and RR. As for the Disco as great a 4x4 as it is (and I would have another one) there was not a lot of useable load room and this put many, many people off buying one that I know. I reckon when I had mine if it had a similar load space to a Cruiser or Patrol I could have had at least 20-30 new car buyers over the 4 years I had mine and probablly double that in second hand car purchasers once they realised what a good 4x4 it was. Especially when out driving and recovering Cruisers and Patrols.
I just pray the new Defender is true to its heritage in shape, with a useable interior at a decent price.
I would say with the British army now buying Italian 4x4s as their replacement that the Defender is doomed.
:evil: :evil: :evil:
