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.

Holidaymakers Reminded To Make Pre-Easter Tyre Safety Checks

AHEAD of the Easter getaway, a leading tyre safety organisation is reminding the UK’s 650,000 caravan and motorhome owners about the importance of ensuring their tyres are in a safe, roadworthy condition before hitting the road. Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe, said: “For many, Easter is the first time of the year that they will be heading away in their caravan or motorhome. After the winter when they’ve often had little or no use, it’s essential that the vehicle’s tyres are checked thoroughly before use otherwise a number of potential safety hazards could bring an abrupt end a relaxing holiday.” As part of a visual inspection looking for obvious signs of damage such as lumps, bulges or cuts in the tyre, owners should also pay particular attention to signs of ageing.

Ford improves simulators to help driver safety

Today's cars are loaded to the hilt with technology. Given modern vehicles' built-in opportunities for driver distraction, not to mention society's penchant for mobile-device use while motoring, it's a wonder we get home safely at all. To that end, Ford has upgraded its Virttex virtual-reality machine to study driver performance in the pursuit of safety devices and driver-aid development.