LAND Rover could soon be exploiting its all-drive expertise by driving into challenging new sales territories, US distributor company president Howard Mosher claimed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

As the Solihull firm previewed its Freelander, Mosher said company officials were investigating opportunities beyond the current model range. As a member of Ford's Premier Automotive Group, a wider range of platform technology is available to Land Rover and among models which could appear in the future are a vehicle to compete with the Chrysler Jeep Wrangler and a possible pick-up.

He was speaking after Land Rover chairman and chief executive Bob Dover revealed that the US had been singled out as a priority area for growth. 'The Freelander will help us achieve our aim of increasing sales here by 50% next year,' he said. 'This is an important step for us - by the end of the year, Land Rover will be represented in every major market in the world.'