Ineos looking to rev up Land Rover

Ineos boss Jim Ratcliffe with a Landrover Defender

Petrochemical giant Ineos is looking at the possibility of financing and manufacturing the rebirth of the iconic Land Rover Defender.

The firm, which is in the process of building a new headquarters in Grangemouth and importing shale gas from the USA, has reportedly commissioned a full feasibility study into resurrecting the Land Rover Defender and has even held exploratory talks with Jaguar Land Rover.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe is a great admirer of the classic vehicle.

He said: “I am a passionate advocate of UK manufacturing and the Land Rover Defender has been a part of the British motoring scene for over 60 years. We want to breathe new life into it and make it even better than before.

“I think it can be upgraded to be the world’s best and most rugged off roader. Should the project go ahead, Ineos hope to make the new model in the north of the UK, preferably near a port facility.”