2023 Models without Softclose Door and Fan Control ?
4wd High
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 9
Likes: 6
What do you mean by make customers whole? Are you suggesting that we advertised the feature for 2023 and then took it away after orders were placed?
Generally, our strategy is to add features and content while maintaining competitive price levels with each passing year. This has been the approach in recent years, and in the case of certain models like the Jaguar XF we've cut prices dramatically while boosting standard equipment. We are even considering standardizing towing packages on all D7u/x platforms. However, the supply chain disaster and limited production have forced us to make odd and uneven decisions on random parts of the vehicle.
If we sent a notice to our customers saying production of their Defender will be delayed 8-10 months because we are missing a soft close latch motor (or other minor feature) that would not go over well.
We're an extremely customer oriented company and regularly hold meetings to address customer concerns. In fact, senior executives recently travelled to the US market just to sit down and meet with new Defender owners and ask for feedback and ideas for improvement. However, sometimes we have to do the best we can and continue moving forward even if things aren't ideal.
Arguably, as Defender is a utilitarian vehicle you could make the case that soft close latches have no place on it, but that's a separate discussion.
Generally, our strategy is to add features and content while maintaining competitive price levels with each passing year. This has been the approach in recent years, and in the case of certain models like the Jaguar XF we've cut prices dramatically while boosting standard equipment. We are even considering standardizing towing packages on all D7u/x platforms. However, the supply chain disaster and limited production have forced us to make odd and uneven decisions on random parts of the vehicle.
If we sent a notice to our customers saying production of their Defender will be delayed 8-10 months because we are missing a soft close latch motor (or other minor feature) that would not go over well.
We're an extremely customer oriented company and regularly hold meetings to address customer concerns. In fact, senior executives recently travelled to the US market just to sit down and meet with new Defender owners and ask for feedback and ideas for improvement. However, sometimes we have to do the best we can and continue moving forward even if things aren't ideal.
Arguably, as Defender is a utilitarian vehicle you could make the case that soft close latches have no place on it, but that's a separate discussion.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 30
Likes: 9
I agree as well. Personally, I prefer not having a soft close door. Also agree with some of the other points - yes, do not want to get the car delayed because soft close is missing, or some other tiny thingy. It does leave a bit of bad taste though when by the time you get the car for arguable a lot of money, there are some downgrades here and there compared to what you see when you order, but price remains the same (or gets even more).
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 713
I have been experimenting with the "soft close" rear door for a couple of weeks now -- since this thread let me know it exists.
I have to fairly say .... I see no effective purpose for it to be included on the Defender. NONE.
Really you are not missing anything I can figure out by not having this on your Defender -- other than NOT waking a sleeping baby in the rear row of seats (?). Even then, the door can close quietly enough by manually being gentle.
---------------------------
Of course, my nagging complaint showed itself this weekend. I was off - road (in LO range, of course) and had cleared a particularly threating set of rock with the front wheels and wanted to open the door to make sure I placed the rear left tire (US driver's side) properly -- AND OF COURSE I COULD NOT DO IT because of the nanny interlock on the vehicle. There is no camera to help in this situation !!
PLEASE UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE TO DISABLE THE NANNY DRIVER'S DOOR INTERLOCK WHILE IN LO RANGE (below 10 mph).
Enjoy !!
I have to fairly say .... I see no effective purpose for it to be included on the Defender. NONE.
Really you are not missing anything I can figure out by not having this on your Defender -- other than NOT waking a sleeping baby in the rear row of seats (?). Even then, the door can close quietly enough by manually being gentle.
---------------------------
Of course, my nagging complaint showed itself this weekend. I was off - road (in LO range, of course) and had cleared a particularly threating set of rock with the front wheels and wanted to open the door to make sure I placed the rear left tire (US driver's side) properly -- AND OF COURSE I COULD NOT DO IT because of the nanny interlock on the vehicle. There is no camera to help in this situation !!
PLEASE UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE TO DISABLE THE NANNY DRIVER'S DOOR INTERLOCK WHILE IN LO RANGE (below 10 mph).
Enjoy !!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 47
Likes: 22
I agree as well. Personally, I prefer not having a soft close door. Also agree with some of the other points - yes, do not want to get the car delayed because soft close is missing, or some other tiny thingy. It does leave a bit of bad taste though when by the time you get the car for arguable a lot of money, there are some downgrades here and there compared to what you see when you order, but price remains the same (or gets even more).
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 42
Likes: 19
My 2023 Defender 90 S is missing the soft close tailgate and aso the sunglasses case. It's just a black piece instead.
Also missing the memory for the seats/mirrors. I double checked and it does say it's standard on the S on the build your own page on the Landrover website.
Also couldn't get the Clearsight on the S trim.
Like Insider said though I'd rather have a Defender with a couple things missing than no Defender at all.
Also missing the memory for the seats/mirrors. I double checked and it does say it's standard on the S on the build your own page on the Landrover website.
Also couldn't get the Clearsight on the S trim.
Like Insider said though I'd rather have a Defender with a couple things missing than no Defender at all.
Pro Wrench
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 1,440
From: Atlanta, GA
I backed my D110 into my workshop, which being an uphill driveway raises the rear just as you crest the driveway and level off. This caused the fin to hit the underside of the garage door and take the camera out. I had my indy replace the fin and they got one in 3 days. Of course the problem could be the mirror/display but the fin with camera doesn’t seem to be a problem. And the indy was $950 less than the dealer, and they’re more a Porsche/BMW place.
Overlanding
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 20
Likes: 24
What do you mean by make customers whole? Are you suggesting that we advertised the feature for 2023 and then took it away after orders were placed?
Generally, our strategy is to add features and content while maintaining competitive price levels with each passing year. This has been the approach in recent years, and in the case of certain models like the Jaguar XF we've cut prices dramatically while boosting standard equipment. We are even considering standardizing towing packages on all D7u/x platforms. However, the supply chain disaster and limited production have forced us to make odd and uneven decisions on random parts of the vehicle.
If we sent a notice to our customers saying production of their Defender will be delayed 8-10 months because we are missing a soft close latch motor (or other minor feature) that would not go over well.
We're an extremely customer oriented company and regularly hold meetings to address customer concerns. In fact, senior executives recently travelled to the US market just to sit down and meet with new Defender owners and ask for feedback and ideas for improvement. However, sometimes we have to do the best we can and continue moving forward even if things aren't ideal.
Arguably, as Defender is a utilitarian vehicle you could make the case that soft close latches have no place on it, but that's a separate discussion.
Generally, our strategy is to add features and content while maintaining competitive price levels with each passing year. This has been the approach in recent years, and in the case of certain models like the Jaguar XF we've cut prices dramatically while boosting standard equipment. We are even considering standardizing towing packages on all D7u/x platforms. However, the supply chain disaster and limited production have forced us to make odd and uneven decisions on random parts of the vehicle.
If we sent a notice to our customers saying production of their Defender will be delayed 8-10 months because we are missing a soft close latch motor (or other minor feature) that would not go over well.
We're an extremely customer oriented company and regularly hold meetings to address customer concerns. In fact, senior executives recently travelled to the US market just to sit down and meet with new Defender owners and ask for feedback and ideas for improvement. However, sometimes we have to do the best we can and continue moving forward even if things aren't ideal.
Arguably, as Defender is a utilitarian vehicle you could make the case that soft close latches have no place on it, but that's a separate discussion.
Three Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 82
Likes: 63
