DEFENDER BOOK TREK EMBARKS ON A CROSS-COUNTRY JOURNEY, DONATING CHILDREN'S BOOKS TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

27 October 2025

Defender Book Trek will provide underserved communities with approximately 40,000 children’s books across the U.S

  • Defender Book Trek will provide underserved communities with approximately 40,000 children’s books across the U.S
  • The Defender Book Trek will travel coast to coast over 18 days, from Oct. 27 to Nov. 14, 2025, ending at Destination Defender Adventure Festival in Temecula, California
  • 14 Defender retailers from across the nation will host events in their communities, fostering the sense of purpose Defender is known for and providing learning tools to those in need
  • The final stop, Destination Defender, is a weekend packed with outdoor adventure, wellness experiences, and exclusive programming that celebrates the Defender lifestyle
  • Destination Defender takes place November 14 – 16 at Galway Downs in Temecula, California

Mahwah, NJ – Monday, October 27, 2025: Defender, the original British adventure brand, is proud to announce the first Defender Book Trek. The Defender Book Trek is a purpose‑driven, cross‑country journey from the headquarters of JLR North America in Mahwah, New Jersey, to Destination Defender in Temecula, California November 14th, 2025.

Taking place over 18 days, a Defender 110 vehicle in a specially designed livery will tow a trailer full of children’s books across the US.  Covering approximately 3,350 miles and stopping at 14 Defender retailers across the country, the Defender Book Trek is on a mission for good. The books will be distributed to underserved communities across the US, ensuring children have access to essential reading materials that help put students on a path for future success.

The Defender Book Drive celebrates Defender's global legacy of adventure and purposeful community service. By engaging retailers and communities across the United States, the Defender Book Drive represents a collective effort that emphasizes the importance of working together toward a common goal.

Sam Allen
US Brand Director, Defender

The Defender Book Trek brings together Defender retailers across the country in a mission to promote literacy nationwide.  Each retailer will distribute approximately 2500 children’s books to worthy local charities, while the Defender Book Trek continues across the nation.  More than just a drive, this is a national relay of generosity—bringing together communities, retailers, and the Defender brand in a shared mission to create a meaningful impact, highlighting the brand’s commitment to purpose and helping those in need. 

The following Defender retailers will be part of the Defender Book Trek mission:

Land Rover Parsippany

Land Rover Main Line

Land Rover Alexandria

Land Rover Virginia Beach

Land Rover Greensboro

Land Rover Charlotte

Land Rover South Atlanta

Land Rover Birmingham

Land Rover Jackson (MS)

Land Rover North Houston

Land Rover Fort Worth

Land Rover El Paso

Land Rover Tucson

Land Rover Phoenix/Scottsdale

The Defender Book Trek journey across the US also underscores the durability and reliability of Defender vehicles, showcasing their capability by towing cargo across the country. With a towing capacity of up to 8,200 lbs., the Defender vehicle will be able to handle approximately 40,000 books that the tour seeks to deliver. The Defender vehicle and trailer making the journey will be prepared with a special livery, drawing attention to the mission of service that The Defender Book Trek represents. 

The final stop is Destination Defender, set within the scenic mountains of Southern California’s wine country. This event is for those who embrace the Defender brand’s adventurous spirit by conquering an off‑road driving course, indulging in premium culinary experiences, and enjoying live music and entertainment. Enthusiasts can see unique vehicle displays, listen to a series of forum talks, and other immersive experiences. 

The Defender Book Trek is powered by partnership, including Formula Trailers, whose Triumph trailer plays a key role in making this coast‑to‑coast effort possible and advancing our shared vision for literacy.

ENDS

Further information

Joe Stauble

PR Manager JLR North America

jstauble@jaguarlandrover.com

 

Jeff Ehoodin

Land Rover Senior PR Specialist

jehoodin@jaguarlandrover.com

 

Media website: https://media.landrover.com/en‑us

 

Social Channels:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@defender   

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Defender    

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Defender   

Instagram: http://instagram.com/Defender  
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@defender

Notes to Editors

About Defender

Defender embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highly desirable and seriously durable. A modern‑day hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future.

Available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own.

The tough luxury Defender OCTA is the master of extreme performance – taking performance and capability to another level on and off‑road.

A beacon of liberty that can trace its roots back to the first Land Rover in 1948, Defender is a brand that supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust.

The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover – a mark of trust built on more than 75 years of expertise in technology and world‑leading off‑road capability.

Defender vehicles are designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It belongs to the JLR house of brands alongside Range Rover, Discovery and Jaguar.

 

Important notice
JLR is constantly seeking ways to improve the specification, design and production of its vehicles, parts and accessories and alterations take place continually. Whilst every effort is made to produce up‑to‑date literature, this document should not be regarded as an infallible guide to current specifications or availability, nor does it constitute an offer for the sale of any particular vehicle, part or accessory. All figures are manufacturer’s estimates.