VICKERS has confirmed that it intends to sell Rolls-Royce as part of its strategy of focusing more closely on its core businesses. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Ferrari are among the names who are already being linked with Rolls as possible bidders.

Vickers chairman Sir Colin Chandler said: 'Vickers has decided that the timing is now right to divest its subsidiary, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. We have taken this great business from the low days of the last recession, through to the present high level of investment, to a stage where we are confident its value to Vickers' shareholders has been maximised.'