THE Freelander 2 has helped fuel a hat-trick of sales success for off-road icon Land Rover.
A grand total of 226,395 Land Rover cars found homes around the world in 2007 - an increase of 17.6 per cent on the previous year - representing a third consecutive record sales year.
And the Freelander, the company's most efficient car to date, is at the forefront of the onslaught, itself enjoying an impressive start in its first full year of production with sales in the UK of just under 19,000 - an increase of 34 per cent.
John Edwards, Land Rover's UK managing director, was quick to praise the efforts and skills of the Halewood workforce in Liverpool, where the model is built.
He said: 'Freelander 2 has been a great success for us, captivating customers and winning awards.
'It's helped re-establish Land Rover as a leader in the important compact SUV market and given us incremental sales in key markets around the world.
'We've been delighted with the way Halewood has embraced the Land Rover brand and the consistently high levels of quality at the facility.'
The figures, announced this week, confirm that this is the first time the 60-year-old company has driven through the 200,000 sales barrier.
Emerging markets really showed their potential with sales in Russia climbing 96 per cent to 12,268, and by 143 per cent in China to reach 6,573. There were also records in the US, Canada, Spain and Ireland.
In fact Land Rover sold around 30,000 vehicles in markets it did not even have a presence in five years ago.
But the UK remains the biggest market, the company clocking up more than 50,000 sales for the first time in its 60 years of existence.
And the arrival of the turbo diesel V8 in Range Rover Sport and Range Rover, which delivers petrol-like performance but with a 32% fuel improvement, also helped keep the brand at the forefront of the luxury SUV segment.
Edwards added: 'To crack the 50,000 barrier and set a new UK record is a great achievement and to do it with the help of our most efficient cars to date is an added bonus.
'The UK finished the year as the largest single market with record sales. It just goes to show that 60 years after where it all started, Land Rover is more popular and relevant than ever.'