Land Rover's Solihull plant has started production of North American specification Freelanders. Sales start in the USA and Canada in December.

The 2.5 litre V6 version of the Freelander, introduced in Europe in September 2000, will become the third Land Rover product to be sold in North America, complementing the Discovery and Range Rover models already available.

Almost 250,000 Freelanders have been assembled in the purpose built 9.5-acre facility at Land Rover's Solihull plant since its launch. More than 60,000 units were sold worldwide in its first year. Sales last year topped 70,000.

Land Rover chairman and chief executive officer, Bob Dover, said: "Launching the Freelander into North America is a very significant move. It will virtually double our volume in North America, making it Land Rover's biggest single market worldwide, overtaking the UK." (November 6, 2001)