ROVER'S new deal, which confirmed the loss of 'at least' 2,500 jobs, came 24 hours after Peugeot announced the creation of about 900 jobs at its Coventry plant due to demand for the 206. The jobs boost will create a third shift at the Ryton plant.

Two days after the jobs boost was announced Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' November sales figures revealed that the 206 was the UK's seventh best-selling car within a month of going on sale. It took 3.27% of the UK new car market with almost 5,000 sold - the best first-month sales ever for a newly-launched Peugeot.

The Ryton plant will hit its two-shift capacity of 2,500 cars each week by the end of this year and following the introduction of a new, third shift in May 1999, weekly production will be boosted to more than 3,400 cars.