ROVER Group reported its best performance for a decade as total sales topped 521,000 vehicles - with more than half exported overseas. Exports increased by 5.7% to 290,000 vehicles in 1997 - the highest in the manufacturer's history - while domestic demand remained steady at 230,400 units.

Italy remained Rover's biggest export market with sales up by a third to 62,200 vehicles, while sales in Germany rose 41% to 30,658 units. Rover Group chairman and chief executive Walter Hasselkus said: 'In the current worldwide environment of fierce competition, this is a very good performance from Rover Group. The export successes are particularly pleasing in view of the fact that the strong Pound makes our products expensive in overseas markets.'