Latest news with #Traditionalists
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model
How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model originally appeared on Autoblog. Land Rover now sells more Defenders in a month than it used to sell in a year. By a wide margin, the Defender has become JLR's best-selling model, with over 115,000 units sold globally in 2024. In the first six months of 2025 alone, another 60,000 found homes around the world, putting it on track to beat the prior year's record. For comparison, the next best-selling JLR models were the Range Rover Sport (≈79,862 units in 2024, +19.7%) and the full-size Range Rover (≈76,715 units, +8.9%) – both impressive, yet still trailing the Defender's volume. What's even more remarkable is the sustained sales strength year-on-year that the new Defender has enjoyed. Product lifecycles typically follow a surge after launch and then taper off, but Land Rover's reinvented icon isn't just selling well – it's redefining what sustained automotive success looks like in the modern era. In fact, Defender sales hit an all-time high in their fourth year – the highest in the model's 76-year history – defying the usual mid-life slump that most vehicles experience. Despite a few naysayers when the new Defender was unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, what Land Rover introduced nearly six years ago has proven to be an incredible hit. Traditionalists and purists initially grumbled with terms like "Land Rover 'Offender'" thrown around by those who lamented the departure from the old no-frills formula. Yet time has vindicated Land Rover's bold redesign. The new Defender has become a runaway sales success, winning over both longtime loyalists and a whole new generation of buyers. Before sampling the newly launched Defender Octa and the latest Defender Trophy Edition at an off-road event ahead of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, we sat down with JLR executives to understand the factors that have made the new Defender so popular. From 'M' Shape to Ski Jump: Breaking the Traditional Sales Curve In the car industry, most models enjoy a strong launch and early peak, then see declining sales by year 3 or 4 before a mid-cycle refresh gives a temporary bump – a pattern often visualized as a two-humped curve. But the Defender has broken this "M-shaped" sales curve. "Instead of this M-shape," explained Andy Hunt Cooke, Global Head of Communications for Defender, "our sales curve is actually more like a ski jump." In other words, Defender sales climbed early on and then kept climbing. Land Rover has managed to keep the Defender fresh with every model year, continually improving what works. The strategy is essentially to take "the recipe that people really like already, and just make it slightly better" each year rather than letting the product go stale. Sales data backs this up: even in its fourth year on sale, the Defender set a new annual sales record, building on its already impressive performance. This is unheard of in an industry where year-four is typically when a vehicle starts losing steam. JLR attributes this to tactical updates and expanded offerings that have kept consumer demand high. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The new Defender's appeal also transcends traditional SUV boundaries, drawing in a surprisingly broad customer base. The two-door Defender 90 has attracted buyers who previously drove sports cars – they see the short-wheelbase Defender as a fun, characterful alternative – whereas the three-row Defender 130 is finding favor with multi-child family households, especially in the U.S. This broad appeal has enabled Defender to conquest buyers across the automotive spectrum while also bringing back Land Rover loyalists who had long awaited a worthy successor to the original Defender. Crucially, the Defender's success hasn't cannibalized its Range Rover siblings. On the contrary, Range Rover sales have remained robust (even growing nearly 9% last year) alongside Defender's rise. In other words, Defender is expanding JLR's total customer pool, not merely shuffling it. The Customer-Centric Philosophy At the heart of Defender's success lies an obsessive focus on customer feedback. As Jessica Martin, Global Product Manager for Defender, explained, "We spend so much time assessing what customers say, what they feed back to us. We've got different mechanisms – whether that's through focus groups, specific insight programs, retail feedback or surveys. We're constantly using that to optimize and move forward." Rather than waiting four or five years for a big facelift, the Defender team makes incremental upgrades every year based on real-world input. "We know customers love what we already do, which is why we're gently iterating it year on year," Martin noted. This strategy has created an unprecedented loyalty loop – owners see that Land Rover keeps improving the Defender, giving them little reason to switch to another brand. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article For example, the upcoming 2026 model year (MY) Defender brings a host of thoughtful enhancements. Powertrain options are upgraded; notably, a new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 (dubbed the P425) joins the 3.0-liter turbo inline-6 in the 90 and 110, boosting output from about 400 to 421 horsepower for more "pulling power." The Defender's signature lighting is refreshed with crisp new LED headlight graphics and flush-fitting rear lamps with smoked lenses, giving a modern twist to its timeless look. Every Defender now gets a larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen (up from 10–11.4 inches before) and a revised center console for a more upscale, user-friendly cabin. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article There is also new tech like adaptive off-road cruise control, which we tested around a rocky quarry that allows the Defender to automatically crawl at a set speed over rough terrain. Land Rover even responded to enthusiast requests by introducing larger accessory white steel wheels to fit models with big brake packages – fixing a long-standing annoyance that the previous wheel options posed for some owners. Other MY2026 tweaks include new exterior colors (e.g. Borasco Grey, Keswick Green) and additional accessories like an integrated air compressor and new roof racks. All these changes are relatively small in isolation, but together they keep the Defender feeling fresh and finely tuned to customer desires. This "evergreen" product strategy has paid off in loyalty. Defender owners are seeing meaningful improvements each year – more power, more tech, more personalization – without losing the core character they love. The result is that many are sticking with the model, upgrading to newer versions or special editions rather than drifting to competitors. Special Editions Drive Excitement The release of new special editions has further boosted the Defender's appeal. Take the recently introduced Defender Trophy Edition and the range-topping Defender Octa. The Trophy Edition, inspired by the legendary Camel Trophy off-road expeditions, sports a nostalgic Sandglow Yellow paint and a bundle of expedition accessories (roof rack, snorkel, skid plates, winch, etc.) for a factory-built adventure look. Meanwhile, the Defender Octa serves as the halo model for the lineup. It's an exceptionally capable, high-performance Defender packing a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 626 bhp and 553 lb-ft of torque, plus advanced suspension and chassis upgrades. The Octa (and the stealthy new Octa Black Edition) can sprint 0–60 mph in under 4 seconds, supercar territory – all while remaining an immensely capable 4x4. By pushing the envelope, the Octa keeps the Defender in the spotlight and attracts attention from both hardcore off-roaders and luxury SUV buyers alike. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The Defender's success extends beyond showrooms through savvy marketing partnerships, notably its sponsorship of the Oasis "Live '25" reunion tour. This alignment reinforces Defender's image as adventurous, culturally relevant, and quintessentially British, resonating strongly with fans and keeping the model highly visible internationally. The Future of Automotive Success The Defender's recent sales trajectory provides insights into shifting automotive industry dynamics. Traditional product cycles, defined by early peaks and mid-cycle refreshes, might be evolving as continuous innovation and incremental improvements become increasingly important to maintaining consumer interest. This philosophy extends to future decisions as well. The next update for the US market could come in the form of a plug-in hybrid currently offered in other markets – but only if American buyers show genuine interest. Land Rover's willingness to adapt based on demand exemplifies the approach that has made the Defender a phenomenon. By creating a vehicle that gets stronger with age, Land Rover has proven that the old rules of automotive success may be due for their own revolution. As the Defender continues its ski jump trajectory, it's rewriting what sustained success looks like in the modern era. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model
How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model originally appeared on Autoblog. Land Rover now sells more Defenders in a month than it used to sell in a year. By a wide margin, the Defender has become JLR's best-selling model, with over 115,000 units sold globally in 2024. In the first six months of 2025 alone, another 60,000 found homes around the world, putting it on track to beat the prior year's record. For comparison, the next best-selling JLR models were the Range Rover Sport (≈79,862 units in 2024, +19.7%) and the full-size Range Rover (≈76,715 units, +8.9%) – both impressive, yet still trailing the Defender's volume. What's even more remarkable is the sustained sales strength year-on-year that the new Defender has enjoyed. Product lifecycles typically follow a surge after launch and then taper off, but Land Rover's reinvented icon isn't just selling well – it's redefining what sustained automotive success looks like in the modern era. In fact, Defender sales hit an all-time high in their fourth year – the highest in the model's 76-year history – defying the usual mid-life slump that most vehicles experience. Despite a few naysayers when the new Defender was unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, what Land Rover introduced nearly six years ago has proven to be an incredible hit. Traditionalists and purists initially grumbled with terms like "Land Rover 'Offender'" thrown around by those who lamented the departure from the old no-frills formula. Yet time has vindicated Land Rover's bold redesign. The new Defender has become a runaway sales success, winning over both longtime loyalists and a whole new generation of buyers. Before sampling the newly launched Defender Octa and the latest Defender Trophy Edition at an off-road event ahead of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, we sat down with JLR executives to understand the factors that have made the new Defender so popular. From 'M' Shape to Ski Jump: Breaking the Traditional Sales Curve In the car industry, most models enjoy a strong launch and early peak, then see declining sales by year 3 or 4 before a mid-cycle refresh gives a temporary bump – a pattern often visualized as a two-humped curve. But the Defender has broken this "M-shaped" sales curve. "Instead of this M-shape," explained Andy Hunt Cooke, Global Head of Communications for Defender, "our sales curve is actually more like a ski jump." In other words, Defender sales climbed early on and then kept climbing. Land Rover has managed to keep the Defender fresh with every model year, continually improving what works. The strategy is essentially to take "the recipe that people really like already, and just make it slightly better" each year rather than letting the product go stale. Sales data backs this up: even in its fourth year on sale, the Defender set a new annual sales record, building on its already impressive performance. This is unheard of in an industry where year-four is typically when a vehicle starts losing steam. JLR attributes this to tactical updates and expanded offerings that have kept consumer demand high. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The new Defender's appeal also transcends traditional SUV boundaries, drawing in a surprisingly broad customer base. The two-door Defender 90 has attracted buyers who previously drove sports cars – they see the short-wheelbase Defender as a fun, characterful alternative – whereas the three-row Defender 130 is finding favor with multi-child family households, especially in the U.S. This broad appeal has enabled Defender to conquest buyers across the automotive spectrum while also bringing back Land Rover loyalists who had long awaited a worthy successor to the original Defender. Crucially, the Defender's success hasn't cannibalized its Range Rover siblings. On the contrary, Range Rover sales have remained robust (even growing nearly 9% last year) alongside Defender's rise. In other words, Defender is expanding JLR's total customer pool, not merely shuffling it. The Customer-Centric Philosophy At the heart of Defender's success lies an obsessive focus on customer feedback. As Jessica Martin, Global Product Manager for Defender, explained, "We spend so much time assessing what customers say, what they feed back to us. We've got different mechanisms – whether that's through focus groups, specific insight programs, retail feedback or surveys. We're constantly using that to optimize and move forward." Rather than waiting four or five years for a big facelift, the Defender team makes incremental upgrades every year based on real-world input. "We know customers love what we already do, which is why we're gently iterating it year on year," Martin noted. This strategy has created an unprecedented loyalty loop – owners see that Land Rover keeps improving the Defender, giving them little reason to switch to another brand. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article For example, the upcoming 2026 model year (MY) Defender brings a host of thoughtful enhancements. Powertrain options are upgraded; notably, a new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 (dubbed the P425) joins the 3.0-liter turbo inline-6 in the 90 and 110, boosting output from about 400 to 421 horsepower for more "pulling power." The Defender's signature lighting is refreshed with crisp new LED headlight graphics and flush-fitting rear lamps with smoked lenses, giving a modern twist to its timeless look. Every Defender now gets a larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen (up from 10–11.4 inches before) and a revised center console for a more upscale, user-friendly cabin. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article There is also new tech like adaptive off-road cruise control, which we tested around a rocky quarry that allows the Defender to automatically crawl at a set speed over rough terrain. Land Rover even responded to enthusiast requests by introducing larger accessory white steel wheels to fit models with big brake packages – fixing a long-standing annoyance that the previous wheel options posed for some owners. Other MY2026 tweaks include new exterior colors (e.g. Borasco Grey, Keswick Green) and additional accessories like an integrated air compressor and new roof racks. All these changes are relatively small in isolation, but together they keep the Defender feeling fresh and finely tuned to customer desires. This "evergreen" product strategy has paid off in loyalty. Defender owners are seeing meaningful improvements each year – more power, more tech, more personalization – without losing the core character they love. The result is that many are sticking with the model, upgrading to newer versions or special editions rather than drifting to competitors. Special Editions Drive Excitement The release of new special editions has further boosted the Defender's appeal. Take the recently introduced Defender Trophy Edition and the range-topping Defender Octa. The Trophy Edition, inspired by the legendary Camel Trophy off-road expeditions, sports a nostalgic Sandglow Yellow paint and a bundle of expedition accessories (roof rack, snorkel, skid plates, winch, etc.) for a factory-built adventure look. Meanwhile, the Defender Octa serves as the halo model for the lineup. It's an exceptionally capable, high-performance Defender packing a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 626 bhp and 553 lb-ft of torque, plus advanced suspension and chassis upgrades. The Octa (and the stealthy new Octa Black Edition) can sprint 0–60 mph in under 4 seconds, supercar territory – all while remaining an immensely capable 4x4. By pushing the envelope, the Octa keeps the Defender in the spotlight and attracts attention from both hardcore off-roaders and luxury SUV buyers alike. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The Defender's success extends beyond showrooms through savvy marketing partnerships, notably its sponsorship of the Oasis "Live '25" reunion tour. This alignment reinforces Defender's image as adventurous, culturally relevant, and quintessentially British, resonating strongly with fans and keeping the model highly visible internationally. The Future of Automotive Success The Defender's recent sales trajectory provides insights into shifting automotive industry dynamics. Traditional product cycles, defined by early peaks and mid-cycle refreshes, might be evolving as continuous innovation and incremental improvements become increasingly important to maintaining consumer interest. This philosophy extends to future decisions as well. The next update for the US market could come in the form of a plug-in hybrid currently offered in other markets – but only if American buyers show genuine interest. Land Rover's willingness to adapt based on demand exemplifies the approach that has made the Defender a phenomenon. By creating a vehicle that gets stronger with age, Land Rover has proven that the old rules of automotive success may be due for their own revolution. As the Defender continues its ski jump trajectory, it's rewriting what sustained success looks like in the modern era. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Just a 'normal' weekend - what's happened to Boxing Day football?
There will be Premier League football on Boxing Day next season, even though the traditional holiday programme of a full fixture list was missing when the top-flight's match schedule was revealed on a full round of matches was listed for the following day - though the Premier League confirmed games can be brought forward to 26 December to be shown on round of games will follow on 30 some fans, it was sacrilege to see the staple of the festive period removed from the calendar, another slice taken out of the English game and the holiday others, it is welcome relief of not having to navigate a limited - or non-existent in some places - public transport system in order to get to a what was the reason for it? Congested calendar and lack of weekends The crux of the matter is the deal the Premier League struck with the Football Association around the congested exchange for scrapping FA Cup replays - another move condemned by the traditionalists - the Premier League agreed to restore the FA Cup fifth round to a blank weekend, having previously been shunted into midweek. It also agreed to not schedule matches on the same weekend as the sixth that point, it committed to a 38-game season comprising of 33 weekend dates and five in is what the Premier League produced on Wednesday. The five midweeks are at the beginning of December, January and March, one towards the middle of February and, as outlined, another on 30 only way to have 33 weekend dates in 2025-26 is for 27 December to be one of the regular match because the competition is starting on 16 August – any earlier would have reduced the gap from the end of the Club World Cup to just four weeks. Manchester City tried, and failed, to get their first match of the season moved, as it is also a hard stop end to the season of 24 May as the Champions League final is a week later and the World Cup follows after that. Matches played over three days? The Premier League is a global brand. Not every place where they have a TV deal celebrates Christmas - and hardly any of those countries play matches on Boxing Day, so 27 December seems an easier base kick-off time for that match week is 15:00 GMT on Saturday, 27 can be moved – but not all of them. In theory, all four of the televised kick-off slots used on Boxing Day last season, including the 20:00 GMT one, could be could also be shown on the Saturday, or Sunday, 28 December. This is all still to be E of the new TV deal that comes into force in August includes reference to a rather ambiguous "six additional matches" without saying what that there is no mention anywhere in the deal about a weekend when all 10 games will be while any game moved to Boxing Day will have been done specifically for TV purposes, not all those that remain on 27 December seem likely to be shown those who devour Boxing Day football from morning until night, there is some good EFL will have a full programme across their three divisions – and all their games are in 2026-27, Boxing Day falls on a Saturday - and given it's already a weekend, the chances of a return to a full match programme on that day is high.
