ROVER will break even by 2002, according to Joachim Milberg chairman of parent company BMW Group. In a German newspaper, he said: 'Customer confidence in Rover products has improved and will continue to improve and we're therefore convinced we'll post black numbers in 2002.'

The return to profitability will be helped considerably, he said, by positive public response to the 75 saloon. Rover lost £645 million last year - seven times the deficit of the previous year - bringing down BMW profits 27% from £441 million to £320 million.