BMW'S chairman has moved to quell fears that it is to sell Rover just three years after it bought the car-maker from British Aerospace. Bernd Pischetsrieder has written to all BMW dealers in Germany to restate the company's long-term commitment to the Rover brand.

The move follows persistent speculation both here and in Germany that BMW is planning to sell Rover to Chrysler, with whom it already has a number of collaborative projects. A Rover spokesman said a substantial number of BMW dealerships were making significant investment in the Rover franchise and BMW was keen to confirm that their commitment would be rewarded.