ROVER Group has joined the flood of manufacturers returning to exhibit at the 1998 Fleet Motor Show. The company - which will have both Land Rover and Rover products on its stand with the emphasis on the recently launched Freelander - returns to the event after missing last year.

Steve Harris, Rover's corporate sales director, said: 'I am pleased to confirm Rover Group will be back at the Fleet Motor Show. We have viewed the move to Donington and the other changes to the format positively, and these factors linked to the all important launch of the Freelander has resulted in us returning to the show. For many fleet decision-makers the Fleet Motor Show will represent the first opportunity to drive the new Freelander.'

In backing the show and returning to the event, Rover group has joined Vauxhall, BMW and SEAT in deciding to exhibit at Donington Park after they all missed last year's Silverstone event. The show - Europe's largest exhibition of company cars and fleet management services - will be held from May 11-14 at Donington Park after six years at Silverstone.

And this year there has been significant interest from contract hire and leasing companies in exhibiting at the show due to the fact that almost 50% of the 10,000-strong fleet decision-makers and fleet managers who visit the show list leasing as their vehicle acquisition method. Once again fleet managers and fleet decision-makers will have an unrivalled opportunity to drive the latest fleet cars and discuss business with a variety of companies at the specialist exhibition.

Event director Keith Dalton said: 'It has always been our philosophy to reflect a complete cross-section of the fleet business. Not all visitors wish to test drive, but 40% of directors and 30% of fleet managers feel it's an important part of the show.'