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Solihull Legend lives on
By Land Rover Press Release
12th Feb 2007
Customer demand for the
Defender ensured a substantially revised new model for 2007. Land Rover employees were present
to celebrate the important milestone of the first production line vehicle which marks.
The new model goes on sale this spring and will feature significant
upgrades to enhance the ownership experience and meet forthcoming
legislation.
The extension to the long life of Defender, which has been in
production in various models since 1948, will preserve more than 750
jobs at the Solihull factory where it is produced alongside the Range
Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery 3.
Annual production of Defender has remained consistent at around 25,000
units in recent years, with much of the demand coming from large
contract orders. For example, the Italian energy distribution company,
Ente Nazionale Elettricita, recently placed an order for over 900
Defenders.
Since its emergence, nearly 60 years ago, the original Land Rover has
carved a heroic path through some of the world’s remotest regions and
it's estimated that around two thirds of all Land Rovers are still in
use.
“Defender remains a significant contributor to the business as well as
an enduring symbol of Land Rover’s 4x4 heritage,” said Phil Popham,
Land Rover’s Managing Director. “Its simple concept hasn’t changed
fundamentally 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.”
With a rugged ladder-frame box-section chassis and aluminium bodywork,
the Defender is incredibly tough. Its practical advantages include its
unmatched combination of off-road supremacy, carrying capacity and
towing capability.
The Defender name was introduced in 1990 but the model is a direct
descendant of the original Land Rover introduced in 1948. Production of
Defender and its predecessors has passed 1.8 million.
Commenting on the introduction of the model updated for 2007, Paul
Cope, Manufacturing Director at Solihull said: “The introduction of
Defender 07 Model Year is recognition that consumer demand remains very
strong for this iconic model. The 07 Model Year with its new design
enhancements, will ensure that Defender remains a key contributor to
the success of the Solihull manufacturing site. Our manufacturing team
is absolutely dedicated to increasing customer satisfaction by making
the 07 Model Year Defender, the best Defender yet.”
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