I feel sad for many reasons, in an ideal world the Defender could have gone on as it was, and it could have been computerised and updated if sadly that is what the world wants, I feel sad that such an iconic British vehicle is no longer being made and that we have lost another part of the pathetic car industry we now have, a vehicle which is like no other and lest we forget all of those who will lose their jobs tomorrow - some who already will have completed their stage for the last time. As the last vehicle rolls through each production stage the assemblers and painters and technicians will stand there with no bulkhead coming into to be built up next or another axle assembly to be bolted to a chassis. It must be one of the hardest feelings, a true feeling of redundancy.
The impact is far and wide too, Albion who make the transfer boxes and axles have laid off a lot of staff, that had an impact on the fabrication company who made the assembly line jigs, lifting heads and transport crates, the people who made the seats and carpet and all sorts...
Sad. I just feel proud that I have mine sitting right outside the window and tomorrow she will be come one of a now diminishing number; I always wanted to buy her a brand new sister, and unless I win the lottery over the next week or so I doubt that will ever happen.
