ALLIED Vehicles, the Glasgow-based maker of taxis and wheelchair-accessible cars, has reported the strongest February sales in the company's 20-year history.

The firm, which employs 371 staff at its Possilpark plant, sold 487 vehicles. The tally was one of its highest ever monthly sales returns and just 15 short of the record 502 it sold in August 2007.

A spokeswoman said sales had been boosted by two Peugeot taxi models, the E7 and Premier, gaining access to new markets in towns and cities around the UK.

Figures were also driven by a financial promotion on the E7, and by a major push on online marketing across all brands. Allied's bumper February builds on its steady performance throughout the economic downturn. The company said it remained profitable during the recession and has now returned to volume growth.

It reported turnover of £65.8 million in 2011 – 19% higher than the figure delivered in 2008.

Staff numbers have risen by 43 over the past two years to the company's highest ever level.

The spokeswoman said Allied was a positive jobs story in an area blighted by unemployment.

Allied's expertise lies in buying vehicles and adapting them for a range of purposes at its 10,000 square foot base. The company's taxis are in use across the UK but so far not in London. Manufacturers bidding to enter that market have strict criteria to meet set by Transport for London, and as yet Allied does not have a model capable of a full turn within 20 feet – a space equal to that available outside the Savoy Hotel.

The spokeswoman for Allied said gaining access to the UK capital was "definitely something it's pushing for".