Rover's fleet renaissance begins

ROVER'S new 75, due to go on sale in June, is already attracting a lot of fleet interest and it is understood the manufacturer is soon to announce several major fleet deals involving the 75 as well as the new 400 variants. Variants have also been launched on the 200 Series but corporate sales director Steve Harris said they were largely aimed at the retail market.

Special edition iS and iL trim levels will sit alongside the existing range during the run-out of 400 until the car - like the 200 - is replaced in the autumn by updated and face-lifted models.

The 75 has now gone into full production at Rover Oxford - the culmination of a £700million investment programme - and the first car was driven off the assembly line by Rover chairman Werner Samann. He said the launch as 'the start of the renaissance of the Rover marque.' and Harris describes response to the 75 has been 'fantastic'.