29 Sep 06 13:57
Land Rover is revising its Defender range to enable it to meet forthcoming standards for safety and emissions. The new models go on sale in spring 2007.
Land Rover says that the 'series of significant upgrades' will enable the company to keep the Defender - descended directly from the original 1948 Land Rover and still based around a ladder-frame box-section chassis - in production until 'at least 2010' and that 'work is also underway to see if there are opportunities to extend Defender's life beyond 2010.' This decision is said to safeguard over 750 jobs at Land Rover's factory in Solihull, West Midlands.
Although no details have been released on the upgrades, it's safe to assume that new engines and enhanced crash protection, enabling it to meet both European and US legislation on emissions and safety, will feature.
When these updates were recently announced, Land Rover's MD Phil Popham said: 'Defender remains a significant contributor to the business, as well as an enduring symbol of Land Rover's 4x4 heritage. Its simple concept hasn't changed much over the years, but it remains as relevant as ever. Defender continues to play a vital role for emergency services, aid workers and farmers around the world. As we grow Land Rover, we're not forgetting our core values and our traditional customers.'
The Defender has sold at the rate of around 25,000 a year for the last few years, with most sales by bulk order; recent buyers include Italian energy firm Ente Nazionale Elettricita, which has ordered over 900 for its fleet. Total production of the Defender (a name introduced in 1990) and its Series I, II and III predecessors now stands at over 1.8m, and over two-thirds of these are thought to still be in use around the world.
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