The 2002 Freelander is an All-Star; Named 'Best Small Sport-Utility Vehicle'

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 28 -- The 2002 Freelander was named one of Automobile Magazine's ``All Stars'' in the February issue. The award was presented to Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North American president, Mike O'Driscoll, and Land Rover North American vice president and general manager, Steve McKnight by Automobile Editor In Chief, Jean Jennings at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) annual meeting in New Orleans. The 2002 Freelander was judged Best Small Sport-Utility Vehicle.

``The Freelander brings class and style to an otherwise pedestrian category of light-duty, carlike trucks,'' says Jennings.

``This segment-defining vehicle has opened a new target market for Land Rover,'' said McKnight, ``Early buyers appreciate its handling, compactness, and the ability to experience a Land Rover product of a lower price.''

The 2002 Freelander is available in three trim levels -- S, SE and HSE -- with a starting MSRP of $24,975 plus $625.00 destination charge. Its debut will help boost Land Rover U.S. sales by more than 75 percent in calendar year 2002.

This vehicle possesses the widest range of capability, on- and off-road, in its market segment. This trendsetting vehicle is highly civilized and fun to drive on pavement, yet still retains off-road capability worthy of its heritage.

Freelander relies upon its sophisticated Viscous Coupling Unit (VCU) plus four-wheel Electronic Traction Control (4ETC) and innovative Hill Descent Control (HDC) to achieve the go-anywhere, do-anything promise of the Land Rover brand. A four-channel, all-terrain Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is also standard.

North American sales of Freelander, combined with Discovery Series II and Range Rover sales, will make the U.S. the largest single Land Rover market in the world, exceeding even the UK home market. Some 48,000 Land Rover vehicles will be sold in 2002 in North America.

Land Rover North America, Inc., established in 1986, imports and distributes Range Rover, Discovery Series II and Freelander vehicles manufactured by Land Rover in Solihull, England. Land Rover's worldwide operations are wholly owned by Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan. For information about the Land Rover Retailer nearest you, call 1-800-FINE-4WD or visit http://www.LandRover.com .

SOURCE: Land Rover North America, Inc.