Land Rover powers to record sales

THE INDEPENDENT
RUSSELL HOTTEN

Land Rover achieved record sales of all three models in the first two months of 1995, in contrast to the generally disappointing start to the British car market. Demand has soared for the revamped Range Rover which was launched last October, though the big test comes later this month when the vehicle is launched in the United States.

More than 1,500 Range Rovers were sold in January and February against 623 for the same period last year. The Defender and the Discovery also continue to beat forecasts, the company said. John Towers, Rover Group's chief executive, said: "We look to the first part of the year as an indication of what 95 will be like and so far the signs are extremely good."

Plans to launch a smaller Range Rover aimed at the younger customer are well advanced, but Mr Towers would not say if and when the project might get the official go-ahead.