Land Rover, whose sport utility vehicles are prime targets for green-minded lawmakers, will cut the average carbon dioxide emissions of its vehicles by some 20 per cent by 2012 – more than the average cuts the European Union is seeking, according to its managing director.

The brand and its sister Jaguar marque, which their owner Ford Motor wants to sell, are investing £700m ($1.43bn) in CO2 improvements in their five-year business plan, with most of the money earmarked for Land Rover, Phil Popham told the Financial Times.