Mondeo to star in new James Bond film

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 19 October 2006 11:31 James Bond will drive Ford's forthcoming Mondeo in the latest 007 adventure, Casino Royale. Ford has released images of the Mondeo hatch in action on the Casino Royale set. The latest Bond – actor Daniel Craig – will drive the 'hire car' after arriving in the Bahamas on the trail of terrorists.

Toyota fails to land 'top safety pick' rating in insurance-group study

For the first time in three years, none of Toyota Motor Corp.'s vehicles received “top safety pick” ratings from an insurance group, as tougher criteria pared the number of selections from 94 last year to 27 this year. Ford Motor Co. led all automakers for the second year in a row with six 2010-model top safety picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, including four from Volvo, a brand that's being sold.

Dune buggies on Father's Day horizon

IF YOUR dad's commute happens to cross pesky sand dunes that always leave his old Volkswagen stranded, fear not – he can turn the car into a dune buggy! Veloce Publishing has re-released the 'essential manual' for anyone wishing to turn a fatally corroded old Volkswagen (a classic Beetle is standard form) into a shiny new multi-purpose dune buggy that will laugh in the face of sandy stretches. According to the publishers, 'Building a Dune Buggy – The Essential Manual' is “the complete step by step practical guide to the equipment and building techniques needed to build a Buggy, as well as sound guidance on the choice of donor car and new components.