Land Rover is celebrating record sales in the UK with more than 45,000 vehicles sold, 15 per cent up on the previous year.

The best-selling Land Rover was the Freelander with 24,812 vehicles sold, an increase of 19 per cent over 2000. Freelander sales in 2001 were boosted by the introduction of a V6 derivative and a revised diesel engined version.

The mid-sized Land Rover Discovery recorded sales of 11,528 vehicles, 17 per cent more than in 2000 with improved sales coming from product refinements introduced during 2001 as well as improved performance against competition.

The Range Rover luxury 4x4 sold 3,545 vehicles in 2001, an increase of three per cent with improved sales coming from limited editions such as the 'Westminster' launched during the year. Sales of the Defender utility vehicle were 5,148, an increase of one per cent on the previous year.