Land Rover Defender production to move out of UK - IAB Report

09/01/2015 - 16:17 Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Paranjay Dutt

The vehicle could continue to be produced in limited quantities.

As a part of the tribute paid to the Land Rover Defender in the UK, the company announced three special edition versions of the vehicle yesterday. Land Rover is calling it the year of the Defender, but sadly, the vehicle will go out of production in late 2015.

But that's not to say the Defender will be cease to exist in the market.

2015 Land Rover Defender Heritage Edition front — Production of the Defender will cease this year in the UK. Pictured here is Defender Heritage edition, one of the three special editions launched recently.

While the Defender will cease to be manufactured at the Solihull facility, an overseas facility (not yet decided which) could continue to make one of the most popular Land Rovers of all time, the company said in a statement yesterday.

That might bring relief to Land Rover fans, but unfortunately, the extension in production is most likely be for "selected fleets and special vehicle applications". Also, these vehicles will be sold outside the EU, according to the press release.

Land Rover Defender Black Pack for France at the 2014 Paris Motor Show — Production of the Defender, if moved overseas, will be in limited volumes, says LR.

Also read: India-bound Land Rover Discovery Sport scores 5 stars in Euro NCAP

Could this be a chance for the Indian market to get the Defender? While the model might not be great as a numbers proposition, bringing it to the country could generate new jobs and prepare the groundwork for future manufacturing. As a consolation the Defender would be the first model from a premium maker to be fully made in India.