UK Grant Offered to Build LRX Concept

While the final decision on whether to make the LRX concept into a reality has not been reached Phil Popham, Managing Director of Land Rover remains hopeful, "We welcome the Government's support for this project, which would form a key part of our future product plans and which we very much want to put in production."

The UK government has approved a $37.4 million grant to help the TataMotors owned Jaguar-Land Rover Group to develop the production version of the LRX SUV. While the overall cost of the LRX venture will be well over $500 million, Popham added, "despite the current economic challenges, we remain committed to investing for the future to continue to deliver relevant vehicles for our customers."

The LRX Concept first showcased at the 2008 edition of the Geneva Motor Show and stateside at the Detroit auto show last year. The LRX Concept will strive to be eco-friendly, "It would be the smallest, lightest and most efficient Range Rover ever built." added Popham.

While the Land Rover Group has shown the LRX Concept as a Land Rover and shares the many components of the U.S. named LR2 (including the four-wheel drive system) the production version may go on sale wearing the Range Rover badge. If the new product goes into production, the company Halewood plant will be chosen to produce the concept.

Final approval for the LRX project is expected in late 2009 and the project's goal is to be the most state-of-the-art, fuel efficent Land Rover product ever built.