Another Defender hint?

[TheWidup]

Have you ever driven an old defender for more than a week as a daily? Especially on highways

I never have but my wife's XC90 is in dire need of suspension rebuild and I'd agree that it's a dream getting back into the LR4 after a few hundred miles in that Volvo. There's no way I'd want to run that as a DD

 

[ryanjl]

Here's an article addressing something I've been wondering: the chassis of the new Defender probably cannot accommodate a truck body.

https://www.motor1.com/news/364402/land-rover-defender-truck-possible/

The article quotes the GM of Land Rover Australia as saying that a Defender truck is under consideration, but would require a partnership with another automaker.

I take this to mean that, if there's ever going to be a Defender truck, it's going to be on a totally different platform than the new Defender, which probably means it's never going to happen.

The article doesn't mention it, but for a truck to even be remotely competitive in the U.S., it has to be manufactured here, less the "chicken tax" price it out of existence. As far as I know, JLR doesn't make anything in the U.S., so the "partnership" with another automaker would probably have to entail the other automaker building the whole thing stateside.

 

[TheWidup]

They can’t touch the truck market in the US. It’s already over saturated. Waste of money and resources to try.

 

[ryanjl]

They can’t touch the truck market in the US. It’s already over saturated. Waste of money and resources to try.

I more or less agree. I think the Defender in the U.S. was always sort of a "I want a Jeep, but with more class" vehicle.

To whatever extent they believe that market is there for an up-class Gladiator, they can try. I can't see them going through all the trouble of getting what is essentially a totally different vehicle certified for sale in the U.S. for what paltry sales would be in that market.

 

[iconoclast]

The article quotes the GM of Land Rover Australia as saying that a Defender truck is under consideration, but would require a partnership with another automaker.

Considering past relationships and the debut of the Bronco I don't think it would be outlandish to think Ford may do it if JLR needs a partner.

 

[TheWidup]

Ford won’t come back to help LR get into the truck market. They just brought back the Ranger and now the Bronco is coming back. They need their space and having a lux LR competing at close to their non-lux price is highly unlikely.

 

[iconoclast]

I doubt there would be overlap and I don't think JLR would price the Defender with a $30k MSRP or even close.

 

[catman]

Considering how long it has taken to get the impending Defender to a reveal point and the fact that there are no plans outside of it being a talking point, there is definately no Defender truck in the next 5 years anyway. I suppose if LR sells their desired 100,000+ units they could fast track one.

I noticed JLR randomly notched 2 new Defender sales in June (0 in July). Obviously the old Defender, but I wonder which barn they found those 2 buried in...

 

[ryanjl]

Considering how long it has taken to get the impending Defender to a reveal point and the fact that there are no plans outside of it being a talking point, there is definately no Defender truck in the next 5 years anyway. I suppose if LR sells their desired 100,000+ units they could fast track one.

I noticed JLR randomly notched 2 new Defender sales in June (0 in July). Obviously the old Defender, but I wonder which barn they found those 2 buried in...

Could be from their Land Rover Classic Works.

 

[avslash]

That Bronco looks good.

First vehicle in a while I am really interested to see in the real world.

I hope the Defender floats my boat, as well, but I'm not optimistic at this point.