After Land Rover's exit from Santana in 1983 due to financial troubles, Santana decided to keep manufacturing vehicles derived from the Series III, but updated and improved. The result was the Series IV or 2.5/2500, which was based on the Series III, looked more like a Land Rover Defender, but featured notable mechanical improvements over its predecessor. The 2.5 was the variant destined for work purposes, while the 2500 was equipped with more comfort features and was destined for the passenger-vehicle market. These were produced until 1994, when the competition from the Nissan Patrol, the Mitsubishi Pajero(Montero) and even the Defender in the Spanish market, forced Santana to halt production of the 2.5/2500.