JLR has signed a deal with Stellantis to build Defender-branded vehicles in the US, potentially targeting the Ford Bronco with a simpler, more rugged model.
The partnership, announced in May, allows Defender-badged vehicles to be produced in American Stellantis factories, bypassing tariffs and catering to US market demands.
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JLR executives told investors that future Defender variants using Stellantis technology could help the brand “tap into adjacent segments” where it currently has no presence.
One theory, reported by Automotive News, suggests JLR could launch a stripped-back Defender positioned below the current model, competing directly with the Ford Bronco and Ineos Grenadier.
Stellantis already offers body-on-frame platforms and serious off-road expertise, making a more affordable Defender a logical move.
A pickup variant, which the current Defender lacks, would also be a natural spinoff for the American market.
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However, JLR’s investor presentation highlighted America’s concentration of wealth, with CEO PB Balaji noting the huge number of “millionaires and billionaires” in the country.
This suggests another possibility: a larger, ultra-premium Defender based on the upcoming Ram Ramcharger SUV, aimed at affluent buyers.
Such a vehicle could feature V8 power, serious towing capability, and a six-figure price tag, fitting between the current Defender and the most luxurious Range Rover models.
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North America already accounts for roughly 28 percent of JLR’s global sales, and executives want US sales to eventually match the company’s total global registrations of over 350,000 vehicles.
