If they'd have worked together, these things could have happened:
1: The Ranger could have had a diesel option and an out of the gate off-pavement special with SVO slapped on the side.
2: The Defender could have had a truck frame with a modern ride quality.
3: The platform could have lead to an entire range of Defenders; some suitable for government procurement.
4: The Defender could have been simple, and yet benefit from Land Rover's computer wizardry.
5: Styling would have been much easier.
6: The Bronco might have avoided that GM/Ford 10 speed transmission... Of course, the Defender might have been stuck with it.
7: The Defender could have been offered with a manual transmission without a headache, which makes sense in some environments.
8: Ford would have had a better chance to reclaim some U.K. street cred.
That's just top of the head stuff, ignoring development simplicity and production sharing that would save everyone money and generate potential tax benefits for both companies in several nations. The list of possibilities is long, and the list of drawbacks is very, very short.
I believe Ford would have jumped at it. I also think it's likely that call to Land Rover was actually made. Even if it wasn't, this is perhaps Land Rover's biggest non-marketing blunder. Whatever. It could be a fine vehicle, but that doesn't change the fact that it could have been much easier on them, and they'd have had a shot at current, smaller government contracts worldwide.
That's essentially throwing away hundreds of millions of dollars... For what? A bunch of yuppies who still want the Range Rover anyway?
I'm looking forward to seeing their actual launch marketing, rather than more of this discount Cullinan crap they're trying.
I'm not trying to criticize the Defender, here. I'm going after Land Rover and more missed opportunities. Hell, for all I know I might end up with one.
Here's something to think about:
What if Land Rover, through that Ford partnership, became somewhat of a "universal AMG" for factory off-pavement modifications? Instead of FX4, you now have SVO. Ford and Land Rover back at it again, and this time... You can get a Rubicon SVO, as well. Land Rover could be licensing the SHIT out of their technology. Let's face it. It's fucking good.
Cheers,
Kennith
1: The Ranger could have had a diesel option and an out of the gate off-pavement special with SVO slapped on the side.
2: The Defender could have had a truck frame with a modern ride quality.
3: The platform could have lead to an entire range of Defenders; some suitable for government procurement.
4: The Defender could have been simple, and yet benefit from Land Rover's computer wizardry.
5: Styling would have been much easier.
6: The Bronco might have avoided that GM/Ford 10 speed transmission... Of course, the Defender might have been stuck with it.
7: The Defender could have been offered with a manual transmission without a headache, which makes sense in some environments.
8: Ford would have had a better chance to reclaim some U.K. street cred.
That's just top of the head stuff, ignoring development simplicity and production sharing that would save everyone money and generate potential tax benefits for both companies in several nations. The list of possibilities is long, and the list of drawbacks is very, very short.
I believe Ford would have jumped at it. I also think it's likely that call to Land Rover was actually made. Even if it wasn't, this is perhaps Land Rover's biggest non-marketing blunder. Whatever. It could be a fine vehicle, but that doesn't change the fact that it could have been much easier on them, and they'd have had a shot at current, smaller government contracts worldwide.
That's essentially throwing away hundreds of millions of dollars... For what? A bunch of yuppies who still want the Range Rover anyway?
I'm looking forward to seeing their actual launch marketing, rather than more of this discount Cullinan crap they're trying.
I'm not trying to criticize the Defender, here. I'm going after Land Rover and more missed opportunities. Hell, for all I know I might end up with one.
Here's something to think about:
What if Land Rover, through that Ford partnership, became somewhat of a "universal AMG" for factory off-pavement modifications? Instead of FX4, you now have SVO. Ford and Land Rover back at it again, and this time... You can get a Rubicon SVO, as well. Land Rover could be licensing the SHIT out of their technology. Let's face it. It's fucking good.
Cheers,
Kennith