The Last Land Rover Defenders Are Rolling Off the Production Line

The Land Rover Defender has motored on for almost 70 years, and anyone present at the launch would still recognize it today. After making more than 2 million of the workhorses - a truck loved by Winston Churchill and the Queen of England - the company will cease production in Solihull, England, in late January. Blame ever tougher emissions laws and pedestrian safety rules. Jaguar Land Rover's cachet for off-road excellence is built on the reputation of the boxy classic, used to ferry British soldiers during the Korean War and the Red Cross in crisis areas everywhere. The company has plans for a replacement model that'll combine its “can go anywhere” pedigree with today's touchscreens and cordless phone charging. It's a tough act to follow.