Tracker announces that the Defender from Land Rover has seen a 75% increase in thefts since production ceased.

• TRACKER joins NFU Mutual in urging owners to boost their vehicle security
• www.tracker.co.uk

Shocking new statistics from NFU Mutual, reveal that thefts of Land Rover Defenders have increased by a staggering 75%, as gangs of thieves target rural areas to swipe vehicles.   The Defender ceased production in January, which has led to a significant rise in demand for the car and its parts.  

Backing NFU Mutual’s campaign to warn Land Rover owners to be vigilant, TRACKER, the UK’s leading stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) provider, adds that many of these stolen vehicles are being shipped overseas, and urges owners to fit a tracking device before they disappear for good, as recommended by NFU Mutual. 

Police forces across the UK are reporting a rise in thefts, with many fearing that criminal gangs with links to the US and Eastern Europe are targeting owners.   

Land Rover Defender owners are being advised to improve their security by investing several layers of protection, including trackers, alarms and steering-wheel locks.  NFU Mutual is also advising owners to mark components with paint and to keep vehicles locked up or parked in well-lit areas.  

Following this advice will substantially increase the chances of these classic 4x4s being located and recovered.

Adrian Davenport, Police Liaison Manager for TRACKER, part of the Tantalum Corporation, says, “Criminal gangs often target particular vehicles when demand increases and the Land Rover Defender is a popular vehicle all around the globe. 

Not surprisingly, since they’ve been discontinued, the Defender has risen to the top of the car thief’s hit list, with the northeast, southwest and the midlands reported to be where the highest number of insurance claims are being made.

“Owners of Defenders tend to live in rural areas, so well-lit parking isn’t always possible, making it vital that people ensure they take ample security measures.  

A tracking device won’t stop a car being stolen, but it can significantly increase the chance of police locating and returning a vehicle to its owners. 

Without a TRACKER fitted, Land Rover Defenders can be hidden in containers without detection and shipped abroad by organised criminal gangs who will make a tidy profit.  Don’t make it easy for thieves, fit a TRACKER device to help police close the net on the criminals.”

TRACKER’s SVR systems work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle, and there is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there.

Unlike any other provider of SVR devices, some TRACKER products combines GSM, GPS and VHF technology, and its use of VHF technology makes it resilient to ‘jamming’, creating the most robust SVR device available.   

Jamming devices, readily available on the internet, are increasingly being used by car thieves to disrupt GPS signals so that the police are unable to track and locate stolen vehicles fitted with SVR devises that rely on GPS alone.

Adrian Davenport concludes:  “We strongly advise Land Rover Defender owners to choose a system that provides a more resilient solution and, better still, one that delivers multiple means of location and communication. TRACKER’s SVR systems use unique VHF technology, offering motorists effective safeguards against theft, even if the GPS does fail.”

Jaguar Land Rover announces rebranded Jaguar Land Rover Classic business, for parts, service, hiring and more.

• Jaguar Land Rover announces rebranded Jaguar Land Rover Classic business
• Formerly known as Jaguar Land Rover Heritage, the new business will provide classic cars, services, parts and experiences
• Renaming of business division better reflects Jaguar Land Rover’s capabilities and expertise

Jaguar Land Rover is delighted to announce the renaming of its Heritage business to Jaguar Land Rover Classic. The rebranded division will continue to provide cars, services, parts and experiences for Classic Jaguars and Land Rovers and their owners.

Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said: “Renaming the rapidly growing global business to Jaguar Land Rover Classic best reflects the division’s overall capabilities in providing the best cars, services, parts and experiences for our customers. We aim to build an even more successful future by celebrating and nurturing Jaguar and Land Rover’s past.”

Jaguar Land Rover Classic can now accommodate full restorations of classic vehicles at its UK sites, as well as providing a repair and maintenance service for customers.

Jaguar Classic will continue to use the historic Browns Lane facility, where the six continuation Lightweight E-types were built and a newly developed Land Rover  Classic workshop at Solihull for the restoration of Land Rovers. Fully factory restored Jaguars and Land Rovers are now also available for purchase.

Jaguar Land Rover Classic Parts supplies genuine parts for models whose range has been out of production for over a decade. 

The parts catalogue has over 30,000 individual and guaranteed parts, available to order from Jaguar Land Rover’s global retail network. Specialist technical advisors have extensive product knowledge and selected parts are available to order on the day for collection at local retailers.

In addition to cars, services and parts, the Classic business also offers customers the opportunity to experience a selection of Jaguar and Land Rover’s most iconic models with Classic Drives. This is complemented by the second season of the Jaguar Classic Challenge race series for pre-1966 Jaguar models, which commences on 2 May 2016 at Donington Race Circuit in the UK.

Defender models see's pricing increases on the second hand market now the model has been discontinued.

Fans of the iconic Land Rover Defender who rushed to buy a piece of history are proving to have made a smart investment decision as prices soar. 

Automotive valuation specialists cap say good examples are demanding a huge premium over new list price. 

Commenting on the trend, John Watts, senior editor at Cap said: “We have already started to see an upward movement in trade values for Defender in general due to the anticipated demand and potential shortage following the cessation of production. Over the longer term we expect retail buyers to keep their vehicles longer because they know that finding a replacement will be nigh on impossible.

“Defender 90 versions are expected to be the highlight of the range since this model is closest to the original first production versions and Defender with a “premium” conversion will do exceptionally well.” 

Cap say a three year old Defender 90 Hard Top with 30,000 miles was valued at £11600 average trade price last June, and now the equivalent aged model is £12300. 

Dealers are demanding huge premiums for nearly new vehicles. 

A Land Rover Defender 90 2.2d 3 dr, with 1,000 miles on the clock, which cost £17,000 + VAT new, is now listed on Autotrader at £30,000. 

VIEW SALE HERE

Land Rover dealer Ross Munro, from LR Motors in North Yorkshire said: “Nearly new or pre-registred models of Defender are selling for 20% beyond list price and we are seeing some owners asking more. And with 75% of Defenders ever built still on the road, they could prove to be a smart move for investors or enthusiasts.”

Defender has attracted a thriving aftermarket with specialist companies such as Twisted producing enhanced vehicles with prices up to £150,000. 

Twisted say they have seen enquiries jump by 30%, with interest coming from business people and celebrities around the world.

The Land Rover Defender takes over the streets of London in this film to commemorate this iconic vehicle.

• Land Rover Defender taxi cab spotted on streets of London ahead of special Defender 2,000,000 charity auction at Bonhams on 16 December
• Specially modified Defender is part of nostalgic celebration film shot in the capital to commemorate 67 years of this iconic vehicle as it enters final phase of production
• Film precedes prestigious charity auction where collectors and Defender fans will be given the opportunity to own the Defender 2,000,000, a unique piece of Land Rover history
• Defender 2,000,000 on public display for Series Land Rover and Defender heritage exhibition at Bonhams London on 15 and 16 December

Londoners were delighted when they spotted a one-of-a-kind Land Rover Defender ‘taxi’ driving through the streets of the capital. The Defender, one of the world’s best loved 4x4s, was starring in a commemorative film to celebrate the global automotive icon and to promote the forthcoming charity auction of the Defender 2,000,000 being held at Bonhams New Bond Street headquarters on 16 December.

The film, released today, also stars a number of other more unusual, specially modified vehicles including a Series II Land Rover ice cream van, a specially tailored Paul Smith Defender and the first ever Series Land Rover show car, displayed at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948, all taking in London’s famous landmarks as they tell the story of the Defender’s rich history.

The Defender 2,000,000 will be on display at a specially curated exhibition from 15-16 December for prospective bidders to preview the vehicle at Bonhams ahead of its auction.

All proceeds from the auction of ‘Defender 2,000,000’ will be donated in their entirety to Land Rover’s humanitarian and conservation partners – the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Born Free Foundation.

The 'Defender 2,000,000' vehicle features a plethora of distinctive finishing touches. A map of Red Wharf Bay - where the design for the original Land Rover was first drawn in the sand - is engraved into the aluminium fender, which contrasts with the exterior Indus Silver satin paint. A unique 'no 2,000,000' badge sits on the rear of the vehicle, which is mirrored on the interior console. The design is finished with Santorini Black wheels and wheel arches, roof, door hinges, grille and mirror caps.

Inside, the leather seats also feature the 'Red Wharf Bay' graphic and 'no 2,000,000' logos have been stitched on the headrests. A bespoke aluminium plaque, signed by everyone who helped to assemble the vehicle is fitted to the driver's seat plinth. On the front and rear, S90 HUE registration plates - a reference to the first ever pre-production Land Rover, registration 'HUE 166' - complete this one-of-a-kind Land Rover Defender.

Production of the original Land Rover Series I began at the famous Lode Lane facility in 1947 ahead of its launch at the Amsterdam Motor Show on 30 April 1948. Since then two million examples of the Series I, II III and Defender have been produced at Solihull.

JLR has confirmed that the Iconic and long lasting Defender Off-Roader will cease production early in the new year.

Jaguar Land Rover will end production of the iconic Land Rover Defender early next year.

The utilitarian workhorse, loved by the British royal family and farmers alike, has remained virtually unchanged during almost seven decades of production. The original design was so simple it was originally sketched in beach sand.

Slabs of aluminum. A windshield with virtually no tilt. A roof rack made to hold steamer trunks or lion carcasses. A spare tire hanging off the back door. That uncompromising approach has delighted customers from Winston Churchill to Queen Elizabeth II. The Defender has shuttled soldiers in the Korean War, Red Cross volunteers in crisis zones around the world and Lara Croft in the movie Tomb Raider.

In January, its run will end, and the company hasn't said when there will be a replacement. The 23,100 pound ($35,100) car synonymous with country living has become outdated.

Its raw metal surfaces are at odds with pedestrian safety standards. Its carbon-dioxide emissions are twice the European fleet standard, and it has no touchscreens, mobile connectivity, airbags or cordless phone charging.

"It's time to move to a new chapter," said Nick Rogers, Jaguar Land Rover's head of engineering, who learned to drive in a Defender. "We want to move forward with a new car."

No Bluetooth

Land Rover is losing its flagship because the brand relied too long on rural estate owners, ignoring the rise of soccer moms and urban adventurers. Its modest price tag meant modernizing the Defender made little sense, leaving it with just its authenticity as a selling point.

By contrast, the Jeep Wrangler, a descendant of the World War II military vehicle, has been kept current with electronic stability control and Bluetooth connectivity. A successful relaunch of the Defender could follow the track plowed by Mini. Since being reborn under BMW Group, the offbeat British car has grown into a global brand that includes an SUV variant and sells from Birmingham to Beijing.

But the Defender's association with bone-jarring off-roading may make it more of a struggle to re-establish, and Land Rover already thoroughly covers the upscale SUV segment from the compact Evoque to the top-of-the-line Range Rover.

The Defender's demise comes as global demand for SUVs is set to soar 37 percent to nearly 26 million cars in 2018, according to researcher IHS Automotive. Jaguar Land Rover needs a bigger piece of that pie after reporting a 92 million pound loss for the second quarter. Its answer has been Jaguar's first-ever crossover and the entry-level Land Rover Discovery Sport, at 30,695 pounds.

Before the Defender ceases production, Land Rover will sell about 20,000 this year, IHS estimates, down from a peak of about 56,000 in the 1970s. Its total 68-year production run will be more than 2 million cars.

Intense competition

The prospects for Land Rover to squeeze in a new Defender will be tough as competition in the segment intensifies. Fiat Chrysler Automobile's Jeep brand is broadening its range with cheaper models such as the $17,995 Renegade.

On the high end, Land Rover must contend with Maserati and Bentley entering the space as well as the burgeoning SUV lineups of Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Mercedes has its own heritage off-road vehicle, the G class -- though in contrast to the Defender, the Mercedes has enough fine leather and chrome to make it fit on the streets of Beverly Hills.

Land Rover and its parent company, India-based Tata Motors, face the challenge of developing a new Defender without losing the values of the original. While they've promised to overhaul and reintroduce the icon, they haven't said when it might resurface or whether production will continue at the factory in Solihull, England, where most of the assembly is still done by hand and there's a wall covered with personal memorabilia from buyers.

Key to the Defender's rebirth will be winning over city-dwellers with what its designer, Maurice Wilks, called a "go-anywhere, do-anything" vehicle. If it can maintain its quirky authenticity while adding new comforts and technology, Land Rover can hold on to old fans and win over new ones, said Franz-Rudolf Esch, director of the Institute for Brand and Communications Research at EBS Business School near Wiesbaden, Germany.

"What doesn't move with the times dies," Esch said. "The Defender must remain true to itself even as it reflects the Zeitgeist and the changing expectations of customers."

Waist-deep water

On a recent drive along Land Rover's back-country track near Birmingham, England, it's easy to see how the Defender gained cult status. It powered through nearly waist-deep water, trundled handily up the muddy inclines and survived a steep drop off a collapsed bridge. The feel is very much last-century, with a comically large turning radius and a hand brake that sits uncomfortably low. The windows steam up almost immediately. But there's no denying the charisma, as Munich sales manager Stephane Anger will tell you.

"I wanted something different," said Anger, a father of three who gave up a BMW 5-series sedan in favor of a black Defender, which he drives to his family's hut in the Austrian Alps. "The Defender has no trouble with any slope."

REPORT HERE

SPAIN - The Citroen C3 Picasso gets updates and upgrades, along with new trim level designations.

Translated By Google - Apologies for an issues caused.

• The C3 Picasso opens trim levels: Live Edition, Feel, Feel Edition and Exclusive.
• The MPV Citroën also presents two new colors to its range, the Blue Bay and the Red Aden.
• C3 Picasso PureTech 110 Live Edition, from 14,020 euros


The Citroen C3 Picasso launches new range, with two new body colors: Blue and Red Aden Bay. It also changes the names of its finishes, which are now called Live Edition, Feel, Feel Edition and Exclusive.



Starting this month, the C3 Picasso range is structured around two engines, one petrol and one diesel: the PureTech 110, which can be enjoyed in the finished Live Edition, and Feel Feel BlueHDi Edition and 100, available, in addition to the Exclusive finish. 
The Citroën MPV also offers alternative equipment. Thus, Feel and Live Edition versions offer now Curitibia upholstery fabric Blue Bay and Grey Liberia, respectively. For his part, finishing Feel Edition incorporates rear power windows, electric child lock and surveillance mirror for them. Exclusive finishing in contact moldings on bumpers become painted in glossy black.
Customization options include the C3 Picasso possibility of incorporating sunroof, eMyWay browser and rearview camera, among other equipment, or the ability to have two-tone colored roof shades Black Pearl in Pearl Pearly White, Aluminium Grey and Ruby Red .
The Citroen C3 Picasso is much more than a minivan. With its innovative design full of personality, quality materials and its refined appearance, he noted for their safety and comfort. 
This, together with an excellent relationship between its external action and ability, making it a model with great interior roominess and a trunk large, whose capacity can reach 500 liters tray configuration under 5 places. 
Thanks to its excellent modularity, we can slow down the rear seats to make more legroom for passengers and, still, the trunk volume remains at 385 liters excellent. This model, adaptable to any situation, offers a new driving experience with quality seal.
Citroen C3 Picasso PureTech 110 available from 14,020 euros and its BlueHDi 100 version from 14,960 euros.

Not the end of an era, the Land Rover Defender has had its life extended into 2016, and then, maybe again.

Production of Land Rover’s legendary Defender is set to continue beyond the December 2015 cut-off originally planned by the Midland car-maker due to increased demand for the long-serving 4x4 vehicle.

In January Land Rover announced a year of celebration to mark the final year of Defender production at its Solihull plant but high demand during the model’s final year has now seen production extended into 2016.

Land Rover has remained tight-lipped on when Defender production will draw to a close, other than to say it has not yet announced a precise date, but a Land Rover insider revealed it will be at least until February 2016, with the possibility it could be longer than that.

“It is going to be extended until at least the end of February,” said the Land Rover employee who works at the Lode Lane factory.

“We have had a glut of orders and are going on until then.

“Although I’ve been told that February is the definite cut-off date someone else has said it could possibly go on until April.”

The worker added that although there was increased demand the car-maker had not added an additional Defender shift.

While other areas of the Solihull factory have 24-hour manufacturing to cope with demand for Land Rover and now Jaguar vehicles built there, Defender production is still carried out by around 450 workers on a single day shift.

“The shift is still running normally and as always it is only days as well,” they said

In March the Post revealed Defender production was being ramped up by almost 50 per cent to cope with increased demand during the model’s farewell year.

Ordinarily, each shift might produce 84 Defenders but output had been increased to 125 to cope with a spike in demand as people avail of the last chance to own the latest version of the vehicle which first set the Land Rover ball rolling.

Last year 17,781 Defenders were produced at the car-maker’s Solihull plant but that figure is likely to be dwarfed by this year’s output.

Time has been called on the Defender due to tough European Union emissions regulations and in addition the car’s ‘old-fashioned’ design means it cannot conform to increasingly rigorous modern safety standards.

Land Rover has indicated it could still produce the vehicle elsewhere in the world for markets where the rules are less stringent but it will no longer be built at the firm’s home in Lode Lane.

In January the firm said it was investigating the possibility of maintaining production at an overseas production facility, after UK manufacturing draws to a close.

The current Defender is a direct descendent of the original Land Rover, which was launched in 1948 at the Amsterdam Motor Show. More than two million Land Rovers and Defenders have been sold since and there are currently 308 model derivatives.

Later named the Series I – when its replacement the Series II was brought out in the late 50s – it was dreamed up by the Rover Company as part of a drive to get British car manufacturing moving again in the wake of the Second World War.

It was the brainchild of Maurice Wilks, Rover’s chief engineer, who famously sketched his original design in the sand on an Anglesey beach for his brother Spencer, who was managing director of the Rover Company.

The idea was based on the US Army’s Willys Jeep, a multi-purpose vehicle used by the Allies during the war.

Over the years the Defender and its predecessors have had many famous fans.

They include the Queen, Winston Churchill, Argentinean president Juan Peron, the Shah of Persia, Marilyn Monroe and Steve McQueen.

Land Rover launched three special edition Defender models in January to mark the vehicle’s final year.

The Heritage, Adventure and Autobiography Editions are all powered by Land Rover’s 2.2-litre diesel engine.

The Autobiography Edition promises more performance, luxury and comfort, thanks to an extensive equipment list and a power upgrade.

The Heritage Edition is inspired by early Land Rover models and has distinctive Grasmere Green paintwork and a contrasting white roof. It features a heritage grille and HUE 166 graphics, recalling the registration plate of the first ever pre-production Land Rover nicknamed ‘Huey’.

The Adventure Edition is aimed at Land Rover customers who embrace the Defender’s ‘go anywhere’ attitude. It comes with additional underbody protection and special Goodyear MT/R tyres to boost all-terrain capability.

Prices range from £27,800 to £61,845.

Land Rover has yet to unveil a replacement for the Defender though the firm has confirmed it is working on one.

With Grateful thanks to Enda Mullen for allowing his report to reproduced on The Motoring World Blog - The original report can be located >>HERE<<

The Webb Ellis Cup has arrived at its ultimate destination via a bespoke Land Rover Defender.

• Land Rover is a Worldwide Partner for Rugby World Cup 2015
• As part of the 100 day tour of the UK and Ireland managed by England Rugby 2015, Land Rover delivered the Webb Ellis Cup to a customer event at the Land Rover Experience Centre in Honiton, Devon
• The Webb Ellis Cup is being transported around the country during its 100 day tour in Land Rover’s custom build Rugby World Cup 2015 Defender, a product of Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) department
• Land Rover ambassador and Rugby World Cup 2003 winner, Lewis Moody, attended the activity to meet with customers and to preview the Tournament  

In the build-up to Rugby World Cup 2015, Land Rover helped to bring a taste of the highly anticipated global Tournament to Devon on Thursday 9 July.

As part of a 100 day tour of the UK and Ireland, organised by England Rugby 2015, local Land Rover customers and media were invited to Land Rover Experience West Country in Honiton to get a closer look at the sought-after Webb Ellis Cup and the unique Trophy Tour Defender. 

Land Rover ambassador and Rugby World Cup 2003 winner, Lewis Moody, was also in attendance as he looks forward to seeing his home nation in action at Twickenham when the Tournament kicks-off in September. Speaking about England’s chances, Moody said; “England definitely have a chance to win the World Cup, but it will be a big ask. Having Australia and Wales in your pool isn't ideal so it's important to play well and win the warm-up games so that they go into the tournament with confidence. The opportunity that these guys have is huge and I hope they take it because the nation will get behind them with every ounce of their being.”

The visit to the West Country marks the quarter stage of the 100 day tour, which has already seen the Webb Ellis Cup being transported through Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Wales, in the custom-built Land Rover Defender. The Defender took nearly 6,000 hours to design and was built at Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations base in the West Midlands.  So far on its Tour, the vehicle and the famous Trophy have already visited Scotland, Ireland and Wales, travelling over 2,500 miles to give thousands of people of all ages the chance to see the most coveted prize in Rugby.

The Tour will continue to excite fans in the run-up to the Tournament, incorporating visits to over 300 events including rugby clubs, schools, community festivals and iconic landmarks. Travelling approximately 9,000 miles during the Tour, the Defender and Webb Ellis Cup will endeavour to inspire the nation and leave a lasting legacy of Rugby World Cup 2015.

Moody has also been involved with Land Rover’s ‘We Deal In Real’ Rugby World Cup 2015 campaign, which celebrates grassroots rugby in the UK and around the world. As part of Land Rover’s activity the Rugby World Cup 2003 winner has been helping to give youngsters aged between seven and 13-years-old the once in a lifetime opportunity of being one of 96 Rugby World Cup 2015 mascots. 

“We launched the mascot competition a while ago now and it has been absolutely brilliant. We’ve even had some of the current England players getting involved to congratulate the winners, it’s been awesome.

“The best thing about the Trophy Tour is, that it’s engaging the next generation. Sometimes the World Cup can seem a bit inaccessible but the fact that the Trophy is going around to as many grassroots clubs as possible and that the mascot competition is getting so many youngsters involved in the Tournament is fantastic. It's like the World Cup is coming to you and I love that.”