Land Rover unveils new Defender

An estimated 1,900,000 Defenders have been sold worldwide

Land Rover's latest model has been officially launched, safeguarding about 750 jobs at the firm's Solihull plant.

The 2007 Defender model, which goes on sale on 16 April, has already attracted 800 pre-orders and will remain in production until 2010.

The Defender brand dates back to 1948 and was largely responsible for establishing the firm's reputation.

It is estimated that 80% of the vehicles ever made are still in use, mainly on farms.

"Farmers, aid-workers and explorers the world over value Defender's versatility, its extraordinary strength, robustness and capability," said John Edwards, Land Rover UK's managing director.

"The unique combination of these attributes helps account for the model's exceptionally high levels of customer loyalty."

Land Rover said it had sold 1,900,000 Defenders worldwide since 1948 and the brand typically sold 25,000 units each year.