Autos

Land Rover

How the brand is in trouble: Just got sold, all-truck brand, gas prices
How it can survive: New models, global sales
Sales, first four months 2008: 11,289
Sales, first four months 2007: 14,413
Percent change: -21.7%
Pictured: Land Rover LRX Concept
Starting Price: TBA

Ford Motor Co. sold Land Rover along with Jaguar last month. That’s bound to be a distraction for planning future models. New parent company Tata has taken a “steady as she goes” stance so far, but that’s the third time Land Rover changed hands in the last 15 years. Despite gas prices and despite being an all-SUV brand, Land Rover broke U.S. sales records last year, but the company sees the need to become more environmentally friendly. Its latest concept is the LRX , with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel hybrid engine that can run on bio-diesel fuel.