Why is JLR doing the Freelander 8?

[tiger roll]

I've been looking at L460 RRs as last winter our 'foul weather' car didn't really cut it over the winter.

But I don't think I can buy one until I've seen one of these Freelander 8s on the UK roads - yes it's huge and heavy, but for the 'foul weather' + 'long distance in comfort' job that I think about getting a RR for this looks like it could be very good. Potentially more reliable than a L405/L460/Defender 110, better tech, 800kw charging + a range extender.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bN-iHxHx0s

Not sure I understand why JLR is doing this Chery JV stuff and designing cars like this? Perhaps it's 'if you can't beat them, join them'

[WH16]

So we've had the Temu Range Rover, and now the Temu Defender? At least this one actually has some JLR input.

[Truckosaurus]

tiger roll said:

....Perhaps it's 'if you can't beat them, join them'

I suspect it is mostly this. Selling them some consultancy and UK based manufacturing capacity is between than them just reverse engineering your technology and building it for next to nothing in China.

[DonkeyApple]

Who else to team up with to get costs down on the entry model? Not going to pick Ford again as they're clearly massive losers in both the generational and technological shifts underway. Meanwhile, this is a Chinese firm that looks to be in the winning group.