A NORTH Yorkshire company that specialises in modifying Land Rover Defenders has invested £7 million in new vehicles to secure its future product pipeline.

Thirsk-based Twisted Automotive has placed the seven-figured order for a total of 240 new Defenders in a move which will secure its pipeline of product for the next two years.

The investment follows an upsurge in overseas demand for Twisted’s take on the Land Rover Defender, having received inquiries from 18 countries as fans of the vehicle look to reserve their piece of history.

Commenting on the demand, Charles Fawcett, managing director of Twisted, said: “Our new range has attracted a great deal of interest from around the world and our order book is filling up.

“This is the largest order we’ve ever placed for new Defenders and it will allow us to continue to meet demand over the coming years.

“We continue to invest and grow our export markets, who value our focus on engineering, luxury and the pure Britishness of the Defender.”

Twisted’s main business involves buying new Defenders and modifying them to individual customers’ specifications. It offers a range of four models, provides custom builds, and also restores and improves customers’ existing vehicles.

The Twisted team can spend more than 300 hours tailoring each vehicle from improving everything from simple bolts, to full engine rebuilds and luxury interiors.

The company creates about 100 tailored Defenders a year, and prices range from £40,000 to £180,000.