Bowen Chain Assembly,single Leg Qty 14 F1214 on 2040-parts.com

Land Rover Defender to be built in Sri Lanka

The Land Rover Defender is to be built outside the UK in a new plant in Sri Lanka to produce Defenders for the region. Land Rover are assisting and training staff at a new assembly plant in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, run by Sathosa Motors PLC in a 50-50 deal with Land Rover distributors SML Frontier Automotive, with $1 million being invested to get the project up and running this year. It seems clear from the level of investment that this is simply an assembly operation using CKD kits from the UK for the Defender, but Sri Lank’s Daily News is reporting that there are plans to invest $500 million in the project.

Volkswagen Touran Match released

Volkswagen has announced the VW Touran Match It’s hard to get excited about the Touran, with its boxy profile and drab – though comfortable – interior. But it’s very practical with its three rows of seats, which can actually be removed (they aren’t too heavy) giving you a very useful van for lugging gubbins around. But the Touran is a decent enough drive, even if the ride is a bit on the firm side., and its build quality shows through in the distinct lack of shake, rattle and roll.

James Bond still drives an Aston Martin. But now he drinks Heineken too.

The Aston Martin DB5 returns in Skyfall (image ©Eon) - but Heineken replaces a Martini James Bond may drive an Aston Martin, but he’s going a bit more downmarket in Skyfall after a £25 million deal to place Heineken. Product placement is a great way for brands to raise their profile by association with a successful film, TV show or celeb. And much of what now gets placed on screen to push our buttons can probably be blamed on the James Bond franchise.