ROVER claims its revival in the fleet market has begun with the official launch of the new Rover 75 sparking thousands of enquiries and early indications of fleet deals worth millions of pounds. The manufacturer says its target to sell 30,000 units in the 75's first full year of sales should be met easily after more than 13,000 enquiries were taken by the time the vehicle was launched on June 17.

Steve Harris, Rover Group director of corporate sales, says several deals are already being lined up, including clearing banks, household name manufacturers and High Street retailers. He added that Rover's corporate sales team could now offer deals on the whole Rover Group line-up of Rover, Land Rover, MG and also BMW products as part of a single package.

'The Rover/BMW range is now at its most attractive in terms of cost, appeal and choice,' he said. 'The Rover 75 has given us a very strong weapon in our arsenal and, combined with the very broad range we have on offer, this has led to healthy fleet business for us in the first half of 1999. I am confident this will be our most successful year for some time.'