A DECISION to market a futuristic Japanese off-road model in the US has boosted efforts to put the car on British roads. Officials at International Motors, the West Bromwich-based car import company, are delighted that American Isuzu Motors Inc is to make the Isuzu VehiCROSS available in the next few months.

'We have been campaigning to get the VehiCROSS here for a long time. Isuzu has always insisted this model was purely for domestic buyers, so the decision to allow it to America strengthens our case,' said spokesman Arthur Fairley. Although the on-sale date, final pricing and volume details are still to be finalised, AIMI general manager Bob Reilly used the North American International Auto Show to reveal that the strikingly-styled VehiCROSS will be in showrooms by spring.

'This car's unparalleled reception in Japan and the continuing strength of the sport utility sector here led to this decision. Volume will be restricted, but it will be a significant addition to our line-up. Its name reflects the car's ability to easily make the crossover from paved to unpaved roads,' he said.

First seen at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1993, the VehiCROSS has a 3.5-litre V6 engine and a four-wheel-drive system which senses conditions to automatically adjust torque balance between front and rear wheels.