LandRover Defender: The End.

There was a time, especially in the 80s or thereabouts, when the then LandRover 109 (?) and later 110 was synonymous with gov’t departments and, to a lesser extent, NGOs. Well, turns out they had to cease production yesterday. Amongst several reasons listed is that the model falls afoul of EU emission limits/ regulations. The fact that it has no airbags (among other safety standards) has seen them barred from accessing the rather lucrative U.S. automobile market.

http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2016/1/29/443920/default/v1/final-defender-1-589x442.jpg

After more than two million vehicles were created, the last model rolled off the production line at Solihull in the West Midlands this morning to mixed emotions for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) staff who have gathered for a party to mark the occasion.

The first design was sketched on the sands of a beach in Wales and made its debut in 1948. It took its inspiration from wartime Jeeps - but with a hard top and permanent four-wheel-drive - proving so popular that Rover had to ramp up production after the first 8,000 sold out.

https://benbyerly.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/pict0115.jpg?w=300&h=225

While designs evolved over the years, it never lost the identity established in its roots - to be rugged, shy of luxury and bold in spirit. Its status and popularity has meant that models generally fail to depreciate in value at the same rate as most vehicles - with many sold on at a profit. Independent enthusiasts have also made money out of a growing trend for restoration and conversion.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/01/29/14/309857C200000578-3422338-Land_Rover_of_the_3_PARA_Pathfinder_Platoon_during_the_Operation-a-160_1454077332348.jpg

However, the status and popularity of the ‘Landy’ has not been enough to stop JLR ending production. The decision is believed to have been taken because of continuing crash safety and emissions concerns.

While the company is thought to be working on a replacement it has remained tight-lipped but still has the Freelander, Discovery and Range Rover models in its stable after the Defender’s demise. A spokeswoman said: "“We’ve now got the technology, pioneering engineering capability and design expertise to evolve Defender.”

http://www.carsearch.co.ke/uploaded_images/45397382.jpg

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/last-land-rover-defender-rolls-7267263

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3422338/End-road-Land-Rover-Defenders.html

http://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/end-of-the-road-for-land-rover-defenders-11364036813627

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Too bad some of the best things in life will be abit hard to get. I’d love to own a landy one day.

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dont they have production/assembly of these anywhere else in the world? eg france stopped producing the 504 in the 70s but production went on well into the 90s in countries like kenya…anyway palipo na mwanzo hapakosi mwisho

unaweza shika 2nd hand

Zile gava inadispose siwes mind. N pimp that shit like hell

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Reminds me of the gods must be crazy n that old landy mr. Styn drove. Coughed up but still served him well. Aiyaiyaiyaiyai…

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Production in North America ceased in 1998 with the introduction of safety regulations whose compliance to would have meant a total redesign of the vehicle, an expensive venture relative to the market share/sales. It’s also produced in Australia where I think the military is their main client in the face of stiff market competition from the likes of Toyota and Nissan among other brands.

They did try to meet some of the (emission) regulations since the early 2000s, even adopting a Ford engine to comply with emissions. However, stricter safety regulations that came into force last month cannot be met without a total redesign of the vehicle. Sometime in 2011 they’d showcased a concept vehicle to gauge market response.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/01/29/14/0DD7F73200000578-3422338-The_DS100_design_was_unveiled_in_Frankfurt_in_2011-m-188_1454078205742.jpg http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/51/land-rover-dc100-concept-inline-new-429-photo-430273-s-original.jpg

http://www.topgear.com/sites/default/files/styles/fit_1960x1102/public/news/carousel/2015/04/Large%20Image_8872.jpg?itok=iIH80xrm

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Bowler

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One other reason the news correspondent highlighted for its discontinuation is that the nature of the vehicle and its manufacturing process is such that it’s difficult to fully automate its assembly (in contrast to many of its competitors in the market place). Since a significant portion of its production is manual, the process then tends to be slower, producing fewer but more expensive vehicles. This definitely has affected its competitiveness in the market.

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Liwe liwalo, in five years, I will be driving a Defender to and from Bungoma.

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Hatujakataa…inaeza kuwa ya mdosi pia:confused:

Senji!

Nyangau!!

these things cause so many wide-ons! got my eye on one … hope it doesnt get bought by a billionare from under my nose!

:slight_smile: :slight_smile:

Burukenge!

Hurry, enthusiast! Hurry before them sellers and collectors realize what’s happening and the prices shoot to the clouds!

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Murungaru former minister internal security, hammered the last nail on Rand lovers. .He went for Land cruisers

lol @Da Vinci it’ll be a while before prices shoot up for used ones. Kenyans have an obsession with new cars and they seem to like buying more or less the same way as the average american … basically luxury cars. It’ll be a while before that rush happens and the prices shoot!

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like the VW Kombi now its a classic, if you have one treasure it the price will only go up. Production ceased and there are tonnes of enthusiasts

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