Made in Britain?
I feel I must write something about three letters I just read in the August edition of LRM, all from readers who seem to be shocked and disgusted that the new Defender will be built in Slovakia.
They never seemed to mention or be concerned that the current Discovery is already being built there.
Then they go on about Britishness and that they will, and everyone else should, boycott the new Defender – of course, forgetting that it was designed in Britain and has major components like engines made in Britain and put together in Slovakia.
Then the last letter states that they would buy the new Grenadier when available. So it appears in their anger they are blind to the fact that the Grenadier is German-designed (design house of Mercedes Benz), will have German BMW engines (plus I guess gearboxes and axles etc), so what part of this vehicle is British?
Actually it is not yet confirmed where the Grenadier will be built. Probably not Britain, I expect, but we’re yet to hear.
I just wanted to put in writing that these letter writers have their hearts in the right place, but their brains are not.
I have owned Jaguars and Land Rover vehicles for 38 years and currently own a Range Rover Sport, Discovery 3 and a Freelander – all superb vehicles.
Myself? Of course I would like to see more of the vehicles designed and produced in Britain – but with all of the vehicles being put together in plants all over the world – so that JLR will be a real all-world brand.