Launching the Freelander next month is expected to quadruple Land Rover Japan’s 2001 sales figures to 4,500 units.

The Japanese-specification Freelander will have a 2.5-litre V6 engine and automatic transmission, similar to the U.S. model due to go on sale later this year. The lack of an automatic gearbox option until a recent model change has kept the Freelander out of the world’s two largest markets where the majority of cars sold have self-shifting transmissions.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The Japanese sales boost will help Land Rover’s plan to increase global sales to 250,000 from the current 170,000.


Land Rover Japan will support dealers with a sales programme to retail 100 vehicles at each outlet (currently 48 dealers with 78 locations) and is also to strengthen a marketing and after sales support alliance with General Motors in an effort to reduce costs.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Auto Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Continental has secured the Window Displays Innovation Award in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards for its Window Projection solution, transforming side windows into dynamic, data-rich canvases. Discover how this compact projection technology and intelligent software are reshaping in-car UX and opening fresh revenue streams for OEMs and mobility providers.

Discover the Impact