Defender of the faith?

I’M a fan of your magazine and look forward to receiving it each month. I have the privilege of working for JLR, so you can call me biased, but I take exception to the letter from John Brown concerning Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. I’m somewhat taken aback by the fact that you’re Land Rover Monthly and yet you have printed this. I understand that you have probably done so in the spirit of unbiased reporting, but it’s still a poor show!

Why would JLR allow this company to set up in competition using their own product? They have a reputation to protect and have done so why would they allow that iconic name to be used by any other manufacturer?

I also take exception to the comments surrounding the use of the history of JLR. They care greatly about this company’s amazing history and not “only when it suits them”! The comments made regarding the new Defender line are childish and immature; we all love the Series and Defender but it could not be continued; its design was old, outdated and incapable of being brought into line with current legislation on emissions and it was probably the least pedestrian-friendly vehicle you could come across.

The new model, far from being an overcomplicated design, reflects the modern era and has already clearly demonstrated its capabilities. Prices are comparable with others in the market, including the INEOS Grenadier, which far from being a British-built product will likely be manufactured in France using German mechanicals.

I am also surprised at the implication that you yourselves don’t support this brilliant new take on an icon. The whole letter reeks to me of sour grapes, from someone living in the past and refusing to accept change.

Without new products, the company would not survive. The writer also damns the company with faint praise in his comments about having optimism for the ‘Land Rover scene’ whatever that means.

There are thousands of happy customers out there driving new Discovery, Velar, Evoque and Sport products and the order bank for new Defender is very healthy, thank you.

Finally, Juey vs Huey – why? They are both iconic restorations and represent the history of this iconic vehicle and its iconic manufacture. This is, of course, only my opinion.

The one thing I will agree with is the comment, keep up the good work. Stay safe during this current lockdown and keep bringing us your brilliant magazine. With the very kindest regards. Phil Gorman Editor Patrick replies: Opinion is divided among LRM readers. What Mr Brown had to say is pretty typical of what many enthusiasts tell us. They love traditional Land Rovers and reckon the proposed INEOS Grenadier is closer to the sort of Land Rover they love than the latest models from JLR. Having said that, we also have plenty of readers who like the new Defender – and we have given this model very extensive coverage in recent months.

The Land Rover movement is a broad church and you can be assured we’ll always carry both sides of the argument.