Jaguar Land Rover Expands Defender Production to Meet Growing Demand

Due to high demand, JLR has decided to add a third shift to its Nitra factory where it produces the Defender. Of the 214,000 orders currently in place, roughly a quarter are for the iconic off-roader, which comes in 90, 110, and 130 body styles.

The Defender has been JLR's best-selling vehicle for the past seven quarters and has faced supply constraints, like many other automakers. JLR has focused on vehicles with higher profit margins, which has allowed the Slovakian factory to continue production without interruption.

Although the Defender is performing well, the lineup is not yet complete. Plans for a Defender pickup truck have been rumored since the current generation was released in late 2019, but Nick Collins, JLR's executive director of vehicle programs, told Autocar to "watch this space" two years ago.

JLR's "Reimagine" plan includes the development of an electric Defender, set to be released later this decade. Additionally, the Discovery and Range Rover models will receive electrified versions that will replace the traditional combustion engines. JLR is planning to launch six EVs this decade, with the first one scheduled for 2024.

Jaguar is also making a shift towards electrification, with plans to become an EV-only brand by 2025.

Source: Automotive News