Land Rover has revealed its iconic Defender model could live on, even though the clock has started ticking down to the end of its production in the UK.
While 2015 marks the final year the Defender will be made at the Midland car-maker's Solihull plant, the firm has suggested it could be built elsewhere in the world.
As it announced a special year of celebration for the legendary 4x4, Land Rover stressed it could still be sold in non-European markets.
The Defender's European demise is down to tough EU safety regulations which it will no longer be able to comply with.
In a statement, the company said: "Land Rover is investigating the possibility of maintaining production of the current Defender at an overseas production facility, after the close of UK manufacturing.
"Any continuation would see low volume production maintained for sale outside the EU."
As part of celebrations to mark the final year of the long-serving model, Land Rover is launching three special editions.
The new models were unveiled in Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey, the place where Maurice Wilks first sketched the original Land Rover.
To celebrate the launch of the special edition models and to kick-off the year of celebration, Land Rover created the largest sand drawing ever produced in the UK - a Defender outline measuring 1km across.
The image was a tribute to the moment in 1947 when Mr Wilks, the engineering director of Rover, drew the original Land Rover in the sand and proposed the idea to his brother Spencer, Rover’s managing director.
The giant piece of temporary artwork required a fleet of six Land Rovers, each towing a 12-foot harrow to draw the outline of the Defender in the sand.
Land Rover is also expected to unveil a Defender replacement at some point this year, a challenging task according to the firm's vehicle line director Nick Rogers.
He said: "With a history stretching back 68 years, this is a Land Rover that has thrived for decades on its unquestionable capability and iconic shape. I now have the honour of being one of the many enthusiasts at Land Rover committed to creating a fitting successor to the legendary Defender."
The special editions of the Defender will be known as the Celebration Series and each one aims to celebrate a different element of the model's history.
The Heritage, Adventure and Autobiography Editions are all powered by Land Rover's 2.2-litre diesel engine.
The Autobiography Edition promises more performance, luxury and comfort, thanks to an extensive equipment list and a power upgrade.
The Heritage Edition is inspired by early Land Rover models and has Grasmere Green paintwork and a contrasting white roof.
It features a heritage grille and HUE 166 graphics, recalling the registration plate of the first ever pre-production Land Rover nicknamed 'Huey'.
The Adventure Edition is aimed at Land Rover customers who embrace the Defender's 'go anywhere' attitude. It comes with additional underbody protection and special Goodyear MT/R tyres to boost all-terrain capability.
Prices range from £27,800 to £61,845.
