Interview Raynald Roger

Defender truly is one of kind. The latest family of Defender 4x4s can trace its roots back to the original Series I Land Rover, from 1948, and shares its unmistakable silhouette and unstoppable capability with those iconic machines.

Tell us about your career in the automotive world and how did you arrive at Jaguar Land Rover?

I began my career at Renault in the east of France within the Aftersales Department, where I held an operational role that laid a solid foundation for my understanding of the industry. This experience opened doors for me to work overseas across three continents, broadening my global perspective.

After spending a couple of years in IT consulting later, I realized that my passion for the automotive sector was too strong to ignore. I then joined Nissan, where I spent 12 years in various roles across sales, aftersales, and marketing in France, Switzerland, and Finland. This diverse experience in a demanding mass-market environment allowed me to learn all facets of the industry.

In 2016, I made the transition to Jaguar Land Rover to lead the European launch of our first plug-in hybrids and the I-PACE. Since 2019, I have been proud to oversee Marketing and PR for our European importers. This role enables me to work closely with 18 importers across 31 countries, immersing myself in our four luxury brands every day. It is truly fulfilling to be part of a sector I have admired since childhood.

How do you see the concept of Defender?

Defender truly is one of kind. The latest family of Defender 4x4s can trace its roots back to the original Series I Land Rover, from 1948, and shares its unmistakable silhouette and unstoppable capability with those iconic machines.

Defender is recognised across the world for its off-road exploits and has helped to reach vulnerable communities and those in need since 1954 as part of a humanitarian partnership with the British Red Cross that celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.

What sets the Defender apart today is the way in which it can be personalised, and the way in which our clients experience our vehicles. Whether you’re embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime overland expedition, need a 4×4 for your business or simply want to enjoy weekend adventures, there is a model, body design and choice of propulsion that will suit your needs – all backed up by the most comprehensive range of accessories we have ever produced.

Our Destination Defender initiatives also allow prospective and existing clients to fully immerse themselves in the world of Defender – something you won’t find elsewhere.

Why has Land Rover decided to grow Defender as a brand on its own?

Defender naturally stands alone as a brand in its own right. Defender isn’t a single vehicle, it represents an entire family. With 90, 110, 130 and Hard Top models, there really is a Defender to suit any need and Defender’s combination of off-road pedigree, unmistakable design and sense of purpose put it in a class of one.

Defender produces the toughest and most durable models in JLR’s House of Brands – its vehicles undergo what we believe is the most demanding test and development regime in our entire industry.

How do you see the relation between Defender and the idea of luxury?

We’re firm believers that actions speak louder than words. Ultimately, it’s easy to talk about luxury, but much more difficult to deliver. Defender helps clients make the most of a genuinely precious commodity – our freedom. That’s real luxury. Unstoppable Defender capability can take you to places that simply wouldn’t be possible in other vehicles. The ease with which this can be accomplished gives clients the confidence to make more of their world and to enjoy new and exciting experiences.

What is Defender OCTA? How did you arrive at the decision to have such a complex top of the line version?

Defender OCTA is the toughest, most capable and luxurious Defender ever. It represents the most extreme interpretation of Defender characteristics and brings new levels of performance to the brand – in both off- and on-road environments. It represents a technological showcase for the brand with a modern luxury experience and high-performance side by side.

What is the idea behind Defender House?

Defender House is part of a Defender brand immersion and experiential experience titled Destination Defender. The Destination Defender initiatives allow prospective and existing clients to immerse themselves in the world of Defender. They fuse luxurious surroundings with adventurous activities to create unforgettable experiences, where innovation, luxury and nature come together.

Destination Defender Ibiza features exceptional culinary experiences including a ‘Food Nourishment Class’ that focuses on high-quality raw materials and sustainability and a cooking class dedicated to Spanish cuisine. After dinner, guests can enjoy a mixology experience by Compagnia dei Caraibi, accompanied by a fragrance experience by Anomalia Paris, while a wellness program with a yoga instructor provides both physical and mental relaxation.

Why did you choose Ibiza?

Ibiza is known for both its vibrant nightlife and its deep connection to nature, which reflects the many facets of Defender. Music is important to Defender and Ibiza is synonymous with music, so this location was a natural choice. We hosted opening and closing parties with artists such as Sven Väth and daily pool sessions with live music. Mix workshops offered guests the opportunity to learn the basics of music and explore Defender’s connection to the music scene.

We were also able to use the unique local geography to offer attendees more adventurous nature experiences such as hiking, coasteering and even a sea trial with Wally Yachts.

Where is Defender heading to next? Where it should arrive in 5 years?

Defender has been a symbol of boundless adventure for more than 75 years. It has always combined unmistakable design with state-of-the-art technologies and unstoppable performance, and that won’t change in the years and decades to come. It inspires its owners to dream big and embrace the impossible. Defender will continue enabling adventures and, through its enduring global partnerships, helping to conserve the natural environment and aid vulnerable communities across the world.

Technology and Defender go hand-in-hand. The very first Land Rovers were pioneering feats of engineering expertise and the latest generation of connected Defenders features state-of-the-art propulsion with software that can be updated anywhere in the world. We embrace technology as a means of delivering the experiences and unstoppable capability for which Defender is famous.