d j hutton wrote:

Yesterday - had an informative tour of the Solihull plant, there were only four in our group so we had a personalised tour of the plant majoring on the Defender line which was very interesting. I can see why now why they have issues lining up all the panels with the chassis - "built in tolerances". But they were making some pretty impressive vehicles none the less. A good atmosphere on the line and everyone appeared

Brand new paint inspection area built right next door (wall knocked down last week apparently) lots of bright lights and guys with clipboards. Sounds like it will now be possible to buy a friday afternoon car as the line is now running friday afternoon instead of finishing friday lunchtime. There were a number parked up in a holding area with bits removed, so they do reject some for further work.

A large number of the LHD Xtech coming off the line, so busy overseas it seems.

Saw a black 110 sw with red roof so that must be a new option to specify roof colour (other than white or colour coded) interesting Looked a bit weird against the others but quite cool.

Interesting to see the D3, RR sport and the new (non chassis) RangeRover all coming off the same line - must be a good program that sorts that out! Lots of the new (unreleased) Range Rover ready to go.

Also sounds like Land Rover will be making their own engines again soon, as they have just built the building to house their own engine plant, should be interesting.

The 'new' Defender won't be anything like the DC100 apparently (I know we already know that), but the question 'couldn't it be made on the same platform as the D3 and (shorter chassis) RR sport?' was met with a stony silence and a wry smile, which might indicate something interesting for the future. I guess they have to work out how to make a knockdown body and drop it on the chassis, but as there is 4billion of investment coming along anything is possible.

Came away with a nice certificate and an Evoque keyring (just need to get the car to go with it!) and a couple of books. Also picked up some info about the LR Experience Tanzania trip, which looked really good, and then discovered it costs 8K each plus flights so won't be doing that in a hurry (unless we win the lottery this week)

So well worth buying that for Mrs H's Christmas present (she enjoyed it too, especially the panel stamping machine BIG) Recommended Xmas gift for your partner, if you have the balls!

DJ

d j hutton wrote:

Saw a black 110 sw with red roof DJ

DJ - it's not a new combination, new man on production line seems to be colour blind

great day out though - we did it with PartyMonkey

bpman wrote:

d j hutton wrote:

Saw a black 110 sw with red roof DJ

DJ - it's not a new combination, new man on production line seems to be colour blind

great day out though - we did it with PartyMonkey

I don't think there's too much 'man' input in the paint shop, big brother is running it quite amazing that all the different seats and trim arrive to suit the car right by it (talking d3,rr line) how does that happen?

Dj 1989 200tdi 90 csw
2011 110 usw Orkney grey

Buy British 🇬🇧

Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html

d j hutton wrote:

Yesterday - had an informative tour of the Solihull plant

Its a facinating tour isnt it. Went last year when AndrewS organised it. The contrast between the RR & Defender production line is quite amazing!! We quickly went from watching robots in a state of the art environment, to the old brick building watching men in overcoats with screwdrivers in their hands!!

WarPig wrote:

We quickly went from watching robots in a state of the art environment, to the old brick building watching men in overcoats with screwdrivers in their hands!!