60 years ago today, a motoring icon made its public debut, when the original Land Rover was shown at a motor show in Amsterdam, on April 30, 1948. The current Defender is clearly descended from that first vehicle, known as a Series 1. Extraordinarily, they even share a couple of original parts, an oil filler plug and a cleat for tying down the canvas roof. But the rest of the vehicle technology has moved on considerably.

Today, Land Rover goes from strength-to-strength, with a five-model line- up headed by the Range Rover, and record global sales of over 226,000 vehicles in 2007.

Saturday saw us at The 99 year old Morgan Motor Company. Chris Lawrence, racing legend and motor wizard was signing his autobiography and an opportunity to visit this most amazing independent British sports car manufacturer was too good to miss.

So Adrian and I wended our way through the country lanes in his somewhat less sporty Volvo to meet two heroes of British motor racing. Chris Lawrence famously won, in his first year of racing in 1958, 19 out of the 22 races in the Freddie Dixon Trophy series. Even more famously Chris went on to enter, and win, the Le Mans 2litre class 24 hrs race, having driven to the circuit in the very same car.

Goods vehicles crossing Britain's borders face tougher safety checks as Road

Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick today announced an extra £24m to clampdown
on unsafe HGVs on international journeys.

The investment will fund a 50% increase in the number of HGV checks carried
out, as well as allow the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to open
two new enforcement sites. Enforcement figures show that HGVs from overseas
are more like to be unroadworthy, overloaded or being driven in excess of
drivers' hours rules than their UK counterparts.

Jim Fitzpatrick said:

"We are determined to clamp down on unsafe trucks. In the last two years
alone we have more than doubled enforcement against HGVs on international
journeys and this extra £24m will allow VOSA to step up enforcement again. More
inspectors undertaking more checks at more sites will make our roads safer

SILVERSTONE, England, April 8/PRNewswire/ -- Despite its position at the cutting edge of high performance engineering, motorsport is struggling to recruit the skilled engineering technicians it needs. New research from Motorsport 100 has also found that motorsport reflects issues across the GBP50bn high-tech engineering industry, where the negative image of engineering in the UK is creating a growing skills gap.

The latest Motorsport 100 survey (commissioned by Motorsport Development UK) has found that motorsport companies are increasingly worried about the increasing shortage of engineering talent in the UK, with 45% of companies believing engineering and technical skills to be the key area in need of improvement. 19% of businesses consider the negative image of engineering to be a key part of the growing recruitment problem.

KARLSBAD, Germany, March 27/PRNewswire/ -- The "Harman Kardon(R) Discrete Logic 7(R) Sound System" in the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster offers rich, three-dimensional surround sound from 5.1 and stereo recordings on both seats, whether the vario-roof is up or down.

Tailor-made technical components and careful acoustic tuning by the Harman Kardon acoustics specialists provide the basis for the authentic, rich-in-detail audio experience available in the new Mercedes-Benz SLK. "Even with the vario-roof down, the SLK roadster offers an enveloping surround experience with superior harmonic richness from stereo and 5.1 recordings setting a new standard in cars of this class," emphasizes Stephanie Sauter, Harman Kardon Global Brand & Product Marketing Manager, describing the brilliant audio quality.

PARIS, February 14/PRNewswire/ -- Infiniti and its range of performance sedans, coupes and crossovers has been in existence for almost 20 years. 2008 and the 78th International Geneva Motor Show marks the brand's introduction into Western Europe, the toughest luxury market in the world.

To celebrate this important milestone, Infiniti will use the show timing to stage the global premiere of the second generation of the iconic FX performance crossover. Never before has a new Infiniti been revealed outside of the US.

Infiniti will also unveil the rest of its line-up of performance cars, tailored for the European market: the V6 powered G Sedan, G coupe and EX coupe crossover. This portfolio of products will be launched across Europe, together with the second generation FX, from October 2008.

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (026) issued by The Government News Network on 14 February 2008

Figures out today on road tax evasion show that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) collected an estimated 98.5% of all potential revenue from road tax in 2007.

This year the survey was based on the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, providing a more accurate picture of Vehicle Excise Duty evasion.

Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said:
"Using ANPR technology gives us a much clearer picture of the level of road tax evasion. I am pleased to see that this survey indicates a low level of evasion - the DVLA is working hard to tackle road tax evasion.

"However, there is no room for complacency and we will be increasing the pressure on those who fail to properly license their vehicles. There is no way out for road tax evaders."

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (020 (TR - 001)) issued by The Government News Network on 7 February 2008

NUREMBERG, Germany, February 7/PRNewswire/ -- Corgi International (NASDAQ GM: CRGI), one of the leading listed toy manufacturers worldwide, today announced that its H2Go hydrogen-powered RC car has won the 2008 ToyAward in the Electronics & Technology category.

 A total of 24 products in eight categories were nominated for the innovation award. In each of the categories, one innovative product was selected as a winner of the 2008 ToyAward. Michael Cookson, chief executive officer of Corgi International, accepted the award in the presence of the Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Günther Beckstein.

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (011) issued by The Government News Network on 28 January 2008