ROVER has refuted claims that its new 75 saloon, which is seen as the 'saviour' of the brand, is a flop. Figures supplied by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that since its launch in June until the end of September, 4,461 units had been sold.

If Rover is to achieve its target of selling 25,000 in a full year it should have sold more than 6,000. However, Rover bosses insist targets will be met and its UK managing director Jim Macdonald said there had been a lot of 'nonsense' said about the 75. He said: 'We don't have the full range of cars established yet. The 75 Classic and Classic SE, which will be the entry points to the range and the most popular, have just been launched at the show.'

At the time of the show sales of the 75 were said to have reached 5,000. An accurate assessment of the 75's performance, Macdonald said, will only be possible in February or March 2000. 'By that time we will see the 75 doing the sort of figures we expect it to. We know it will be a success.'