Jaguar Land Rover partners with Stellantis to build US‑specific Defender models

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced a partnership with Stellantis to develop new Land Rover Defender models for the United States. The agreement will allow JLR to use a Stellantis platform—most likely Jeep’s architecture—to produce the SUVs locally and avoid a 15 % import tariff. JLR plans to launch a smaller Defender variant, possibly called Defender Sport, on the EMA platform, offering hybrid and electric powertrains. CEO P.B. Balaji said the goal is to grow JLR’s U.S. business to the size of its current global operation and to achieve double‑digit sales growth after a slowdown caused by tariffs and a recent cyber‑attack that cost the company about £196 million. The collaboration also supports JLR’s broader strategy of expanding its Defender and Range Rover sub‑brands with hybrid and plug‑in hybrid models in the North American market.