I think LR have lost the plot with dropping the word "Landrover" from the front bonnet edge of the latest cars. Ok for the Range Rover which is a case apart but do we really want "Discovery" or "Defender" instead of the brand name? Presumably the sort of focus groups LR marketing folk seem enthralled by these days think the brand name is old fashioned and needs modernised.
What does the panel think?
Robin

I voted for the status quo. However, the OP should observe the correct (and only) name is LAND ROVER - ie. two words.  10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Tradewind 35 wrote:

I think LR have lost the plot with dropping the word "Landrover" from the front bonnet edge of the latest cars.

Well said Pab.

dunkley201 wrote:

I voted for the status quo. However, the OP should observe the correct (and only) name is LAND ROVER - ie. two words.

Crikey thanks for that Dunkley201, I never noticed the gap between the words before. You must be the chap who always tells me to "mind the gap" when I am getting on a London Underground tube train. You have a nice speaking voice but you must work some long hours down there
Robin

No manual models at all WTF??? Surely not, freelander sales are still nearly 50:50 regarding auto & manual boxes and my dealer have taken orders and sold many Evoques SD4's in a manual. If manuals were not popular they would have been dropped long ago. In Scotland manuals are still extremely popular! Seen a new defender at the dealers looked like a cheap and nasty oversized badge from eBay. I can understand the new branding but they should have at least slapped it on the replacement. Wonder how long it will be for a numpty at JLR to come up with a brilliant plan to make LRs selectable 4WD to save fuel as most of us never venture off road anyway!


 MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

It was manuals with low box I was referring to - there'll be none of those after the demise of the Defender.

But as I understand it there will be precious few manuals of any kind! Discovery, RRS and RR are already auto-only. Which only leaves FL2 and Evoque, and there the focus looks like it's going to be firmly on the 9-speed auto. Without a low range how can a manual with a reasonable number of gears compete?

LRs strategy is going to leave all those wanting a utility vehicle (farmers, utility companies, the military, rural police and rescue services, etc) without a LR option. Seems crazy.

Pheeew I assumed you were meaning all manuals! It is a bit worrying to know that the replacement will not have a manual box! My old man had a disco 3 HSE with a manual NCO. Really really really nice car to give mega responsive gone are them days however  MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

I can see when the Defender is dropped there is going to be a big market for refurbished defenders, Remember there are never problems, just new challenges

Definitely. Used Defender prices are sky high already, and I can't see them coming down any time soon. There's clearly still a strong demand for a utility vehicle - pity LR can't see it.

Personally I think that LR have to move on with the times. The new branding structure I think is very clever.

Land Rover after all is the main Manufacturer, who has three specific brands below the Land Rover name. Defender, Discovery and Range Rover.

We have to look at the bigger picture. The type of branding will work all over the world and puts an end to having the models called different things in different Countries.

At the end of the day, the more they sell world wide, the more profits are made and makes Land rover stronger for the future.

They have to keep up with change. They can't live in the past.

As for the subject of manuals and Automatics. The manual gearbox is here for a long long time. The likes of RR Vogue and RR Sport of course will remain Auto as there is not a market for manuals for this type of car.

But the Freelander replacement will have manual and auto for the whole of it's life, so will all the Evoque family and Defender family.

Also, who has said that the Defender will lose it's low range box. LR are not stupid enough to drop such a significant feature on it's multi purpose vehicles.

So Land Rover have not lost the plot at all. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

pab wrote:

Definitely. Used Defender prices are sky high already, and I can't see them coming down any time soon. There's clearly still a strong demand for a utility vehicle - pity LR can't see it.

They can. Just because LR cannot build them in Europe after 2017, it doesn't mean they can't continue to build them for the next 15/20 years plus in Asia

Euro rules also state that a certain percentage of cars if built in Asia can be imported back in to Europe. They just can't be built here.

I think you'll see the Defender being sold here for many years to come!  Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

Mav71 wrote:

The new branding structure I think is very clever.

Quote:

But the Freelander replacement will have manual and auto for the whole of it's life, so will all the Evoque family and Defender family.

Quote:

Also, who has said that the Defender will lose it's low range.

I may be in the minority. But it will work well for LR.

Defender maybe out of production next year, but LR will stock pile the car until the replacement arrives. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

They could do a Royal Enfield and continue production in India. Brand new Defenders in 2050 anyone? Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne