MORGAN'S American launch of the Aero 8 sports car has brought in orders worth about £4 million in less than a month.

The Malvern-based company unveiled the US-specification version of the Aero 8 at the Los Angeles Auto Show at the weekend but had started taking orders in mid-December. So far 70 firm orders have been lodged, each worth about $100,000.

Morgan spokesman Matthew Parkin said it had been an excellent few days.

"I'm very pleased with the reaction of the general public who don't really know what Morgan is about," he said.

He declined to expand on comments made by company president Charles Morgan to AutoWeek magazine that a cheaper, $50,000 Morgan was in the pipeline for a US release in two years. However, he did say the firm would like to increase the range.

"One range of one vehicle is not really what we would like to see," he said.

The Aero 8's next big appearance will be at the New York Auto Show in April.

"Historically the East Coast is where we have performed better," Mr Parkin said.

Production of the American-spec Aero 8 begins at Morgan's Pickersleigh Road factory in June. Only 100 cars will be produced for the US this year, although as many as 300 could be made in 2005.

Mr Parkin said extra demand from the US could mean new jobs in Malvern over the next few years. Americans can expect to wait up to 18 months for their cars.