> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://torquecafe.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Land Rover Defender pickup to be made by Ram, Jeep parent - report - URL: https://torquecafe.com/car-news-2027-land-rover-defender-pickup-stellantis-ram-jeep/ - Published: 2026-09-14T00:11:59.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-14T00:11:59.000Z - Description: A new ute version of the Land Rover Defender will reportedly be the first vehicle as a part of JLR’s US joint venture with Stellantis. - Author: Jordan Mulach - Tags: News, 4x4 & Adventure The Land Rover Defender ute is set to return, with reports from the UK indicating a pickup version of the luxury SUV will soon launch in the US – thanks to a new partnership with automotive conglomerate Stellantis. As reported by [*The Times*](https://www.thetimes.com/business/companies-markets/article/jaguar-land-rover-unveil-us-pick-up-truck-with-stellantis-850s82lfr?ref=torquecafe.com), the Defender ute will soon be unveiled for the US, aiming to carve a niche in the region’s huge market for pickups, becoming one of the only luxury-oriented models on sale. According to the publication, it will be made by Stellantis, the parent company of Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler, as a part of a joint venture between the Dutch conglomerate and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). Stellantis and JLR signed a “Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities to collaborate on product development in the United States” [in May](https://torquecafe.com/jlr-stellantis-jeep-land-rover-mou/), at the time not mentioning any specific plans. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/09/urban-automotive-land-rover-defender-ute-5.jpg) Widetrack Avontur Prototype In a joint media release, the carmakers said that “under the terms of the non‑binding MOU, Stellantis and JLR will explore collaboration opportunities to create synergies across product and technology development, leveraging the companies’ complementary strengths to create value for both organizations”. *The Times* didn’t add further details to its report about the pickup, such as whether the Defender’s existing monocoque/unibody structure would carry over to the ute, or if it would be a body-on-frame vehicle bearing the Defender name. A key factor in Stellantis building the Defender pickup in the US would be for JLR to avoid the country’s controversial “Chicken Tax”, which imposes a 25 per cent tariffs on imported pickups and utes from other nations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/09/crop_DEF_OCTA_25MY_4_DYNAMIC.jpg) 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA It was previously expected the JLR-Stellantis joint venture would see Range Rover and Jeep tie up, given the off-road connection between the two. As previously reported, both JLR and Stellantis face perceptions of poor reliability in each of their home markets and globally, with JD Power’s annual studies on new and recent vehicles often ranking Jeep and Land Rover among its lowest performers in its Vehicle Dependability Study. In the most recent 2026 edition, there were 29 brands ranked, with Jeep coming in 26th with 267 problems per 100 vehicles, and Land Rover in 27th with 274 problems per 100 vehicles. For context, the industry average was 204 problems per 100 vehicles. [Land Rover Defender gets luxury ute conversionThe Defender once was Land Rover’s rival to the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, and one UK firm wants to take it back to its utilitarian roots.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/icon/cropped-favicon-5b882a1b-0e1c-41fb-bff7-a499f3ce788b.png)Torquecafe.comJordan Mulach![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/thumbnail/urban-automotive-land-rover-defender-ute-1-5e838754-9212-40c6-8adf-87c044a527e2.jpg)](https://torquecafe.com/land-rover-defender-gets-luxury-ute-conversion/)